Peyton Manning

Have we seen the last of the once great Peyton Manning?  After an atrocious outing against the Kansas City Chiefs, in which he was 5-20 passing for 35 yards and 4 interceptions, Manning admitted he had been trying to play through a partially torn plantar fascia.  He has sat out the past three games recovering from the injury and his replacement Brock Osweiler has been solid, but not special. Osweiler is playing better than Manning had all season, posting a quarterback rating of 85.8 in four games compared to Manning's 67.6 through nine.  There were reports that after Osweiler's hot start he had been handed the starting job for the rest of the season, but Head Coach Gary Kubiak recently denied this rumor.  So, perhaps we have not seen the last of Manning.  

Manning is obviously not what he used to be.  Constant jokes about his "noodle arm" for his lack of throwing velocity have circulated the internet in that past two years. He can barely avoid pressure anymore, he almost needs a perfect pocket of protection to be successful.  Don't even think of the Broncos drawing him up a pass play like the Patriots did for Tom Brady against the Eagles last week. 

Seeing Manning's regression is equally as sad as it is acceptable.  He only just recently took the crowns of the NFL's all-time passing yards leader and passing touchdowns leader away from Brett Favre.  He's been nothing but a gunslinger throughout his career breaking numerous records.  He's been a 14 time Pro-Bowler, seven time All-Pro, five time NFL MVP, a Super Bowl Champion, and a member of the NFL 2000's All-Decade Team.  If it is his time to go I think the football world can accept that.  He's left it all on the field his entire career and he is most definitely the smartest player I have ever seen play the game.  So here's to you Mr. Manning, if this is the last year we get to see you play or if not, thank you for providing entertainment and excitement week in and week out for 18 seasons.