The Legacy of Peyton Manning

Recently, Future HOF QB Peyton Manning announced his official retirement. Just like former Broncos QB legend and current VP John Elway, Manning left on top after winning the Super Bowl in his last NFL Game. Peyton and John have certain similarities in their careers. Both were drafted first overall by the Colts (Elway- 1983, Manning- 1998). However, John's draft rights were traded to the Broncos were he created his legacy, while Peyton made most of his legacy in Indianapolis. Both ended their careers in Denver as Super Bowl Champs.

Overall, Peyton has left an indelible mark on the NFL. Manning may not have had the same arm strength like a Brett Favre or the aforementioned Elway or the rocket release like Dan Marino. However, Peyton's greatest strength was his mind. He was a very cerebral Quarterback that knew how to read a defense better than perhaps any other QB in NFL History. Peyton's timing and football IQ have been second to none as he has found ways to decimate defenses. Manning's throws had incredible precision to them.

It is funny these days to think that there was an argument between Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf over the 1st Overall Draft Choice. When Peyton was drafted by the Colts, he was chosen to take the Colts back to prominence for the first time since the Johnny Unitas Era. Manning became the heir apparent to Unitas. After having a rough start as a rookie (326-575, 3,739 yards, 26 TD's, 28 INT's 3-13), Peyton and the Colts turned things around and became for the most part. In 1999, Peyton started his streak of 6 straight seasons with 4,000+ passing yards.

That season, Indy went 13-3. In 2000, Peyton led the league in Pass Completions (357) and Passing Yards (4,413) and TD's (33) with a QB Rating of 94.7. After a disappointing 2001 Season, the Colts hired Tony Dungy as the new Head Coach to turn things around. The Colts bounced back in 2002 at 10-6. Peyton completed at that time a career high 392 completions for 591 attempts, 4,200 yards and 27 TD's. Over time, Manning would also minimize the number of Interceptions that he threw. In 2003, Peyton won his first of a record five NFL MVP Awards. Manning led the league in Completions (379-566), Completion % (67.0%), and Passing Yards (4,267) to lead Indy to a 12-4 record. Peyton would repeat his MVP Success by leading the NFL in Touchdowns (49) which was at that time a new record. During the Manning-Dungy Era, the Colts were a perennial 12+ win team. He also recorded a QB Rating of 121.1. This would be the first of three straight seasons where Peyton had a QB Rating of 100 or higher. He also topped his previous career-high for passing yards by throwing for 4,557. However, those numbers were not enough in the Postseason as the Colts fell short to Tom Brady's New England Patriots twice.

In 2005, the Colts went 14-2 with Manning leading the NFL in QB Rating again with 104.1. He also received the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. The Colts lost to the Wildcard Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional Round. In 2006, Peyton Manning finally got the monkey off of his back as he led the Colts to a Super Bowl Season. Manning went 362-557 for 4,397 yards with a league leading 31 Touchdowns and a QB Rating of 101.0. The Colts defeated the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI with Peyton winning Super Bowl MVP Honors. Manning would win back to back MVP Honors in 2008 and 2009. During the 2009 Season, the Colts would return to the Super Bowl only to lose to the New Orleans Saints. 2010 would be Peyton's last active season with the Colts as he led the NFL in Completions/Attempts (450-679) for 4,700 yards and 33 Touchdowns. The last QB to complete that many passes before Manning was Drew Bledsoe in 1994. Since then, Drew Brees has broken that record (468, 2011). Peyton Manning would have to sit out for the entire 2011 Season due to his neck injury and surgery that would be required. When Peyton was injured, his team suffered severely. It was clear that this illustrious chapter in Peyton's Career was over with the Colts.

However, a new chapter would start for Manning when he signed with the Denver Broncos. In 2012, Peyton did not miss a single beat. That season, he was named NFL "Comeback Player of the Year". That season, Manning went 400-583 for 4,659 yards and 37 Touchdowns. He also led the NFL in Completion % with 68.6. His QB Rating was also at 105.8. The Broncos received a resurgence with Manning's presence. Denver would fall to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Playoffs. The Broncos would reach the next level as Peyton Manning had an incredible record-breaking and record-setting NFL Season. Manning went 450-469 for an NFL-Record 5,477 Passing Yards and another NFL-Record 55 Touchdowns along with a QB Rating of 115.1. This season was phenomenal and transcendent, especially for a player that was on the very tail end of his career. Peyton was awarded his fifth and final NFL MVP Award. The Broncos would go 13-3 once again. Unfortunately, the Broncos were slaughtered by the Seattle Seahawks 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII thanks to their Legion of Boom Defense. Following the loss, the Broncos would boost their Defense and add more pieces to their team such as Future HOF'er Demarcus Ware. In 2004, Manning would cement himself as the NFL's All-Time Leader in Touchdowns surpassing Brett Favre. In Peyton's final season, the Broncos would return to the Super Bowl. This time, their Defense carried the load instead of Peyton. This past season, Manning became the NFL's All-Time Leader in Passing Yards. In Super Bowl 50, the Broncos Orange Crush Defense crushed Cam Newton's Carolina Panthers 24-10. Manning left on a very high note with his second Super Bowl victory.

Peyton leaves behind an outstanding legacy that stands the tests of time. He has rewritten the NFL record books like few other QB's before him. Manning has the most MVP's in Pro Football and ranks among the leaders in most MVP's in any sport. Peyton has more than Wilt Chamberlain (4). He is tied with Michael Jordan and Bill Russell who also have 5. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6), Gordie Howe (6), Barry Bonds (7), and Wayne Gretzky (9) have more MVP honors than Manning. Peyton sits atop the QB Mountain for Regular Season statistics. He ranks second in Completions (6,125 and Attempts (9,380), first in Passing Yards (71,940) and Touchdowns (539) with a QB Rating of 96.5 (5th). Manning has revolutionized the game by how Quarterbacks study their opponents and read Defensive Schemes. Their was a Science to the way that Peyton played the game. When all is said and done, their is no question that Peyton is among the Top 3-5 Quarterbacks in NFL History. His Resume says it all. Manning has carved a very special place for himself in NFL History. Mr. Peyton Manning is a True Legend and Future First-Ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Super Cam's Journey to the Super Bowl

Cam Newton has been the Central Storyline for the 2015 NFL Season. Newton has become a rather polarizing figure to say the least. He is loved, respected and admired by not only his team, but many fans across the league because of how unique his personality is.

They have learned to embrace Cam for who he is and how he is not willing to change for anyone. That is a quality that is worthy of admiration. On the other hand, you have his skeptics and critics who perceive him as "brash, arrogant" and even as much as a "thug" because of how he carries himself.

No one expected the Panthers to dominate the way that they have this season, as Carolina finished the Season 15-1. The Panthers led the NFL in PPG with 31.2. Cam Newton has been the quintessential catalyst for his team with a unique form of leadership. Newton has matured in many ways not just as a player, but as a person. His impact has the potential to transcend the NFL in the way that others before him have. Cam has been the surge of energy that this Panthers team needed. The athleticism that Newton has for a man his size at the QB position is something that is revolutionary.

After plowing through the Regular Season, the Panthers defeated defending NFC Champions the Seattle Seahawks in a game that went down to the wire at home in Charlotte. The Panthers had the Seahawks in the palm of their hand by halftime with a 31-0 lead. Suddenly, QB Russell Wilson rallied the troops for 24 unanswered points before the Panthers clamped down to hold the lead for the victory. In the NFC Championship, the Panthers slaughtered the Arizona Cardinals 49-15.

Now, Cam's next challenge takes place on the 50th Anniversary of the Super Bowl. This is the Greatest Stage of All, as Super Cam and the Newtons face General Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.

Peyton himself has something to prove in his own way after his 2013 MVP Season went up in flames at the hands of the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII 43-8. Manning is at the twilight of his career, and it has been evident this entire season. The Broncos Defense has carried the team to cover for Manning's decline.

On the other end, Carolina's Defense is just as lethal as Denver's Defense. The Panthers pouncing Defense has caused some to draw parallels to the 1985 Chicago Bears. It just so happens that Panthers Coach Ron Rivera played for that historic Bears Defense. He has definitely instilled that toughness and aggressiveness into his players as the results speak for themselves.

As a QB, your job is to make players around you look better and to cover up as many holes as you possibly can. I believe that Cam has done that this season as he is without question the Most Valuable Player in the NFL.

With the world on his shoulders, Cam Newton looks to finish business and continue to prove his skeptics wrong. I cannot think of a better way to leave a mark on the league than to defeat the consummate Golden Boy of the NFL, Peyton Manning. Peyton is the prototypical image of a traditional QB and leader on the field. Newton defies tradition with his counter culture attitude.

This will definitely be an atmosphere where a torch will be passed, and Cam is ready to carry it. Cam is a General that marches to the beat of his own drum.