So consider this...
Peyton is supposedly mulling retirement. Put yourself in his shoes. If he does indeed retire, it might be construed that he did so having realized his primary audible technique was usurped. One could argue that for evermore, he’d be the guy who cut and ran when his techniques were exposed.
In truth, I actually think Sherman is actually just playing around and the Seahawks didn’t actually decipher his audibles. I think it’s simply gamesmanship. But if it’s true, I think it would make Manning have to return for the 2014 season.
Just think if Belichek had left the Pats after they were found out to have been cheating with the video recording. It would have stained him further. While it’s a little different with Manning, quitting now makes it look like he’s realized he’d lost his competitive advantage.
If Peyton sez => the play is:
Omaha => Snap into the endzone
Omaha => Post Pattern
Omaha => Fly pattern
Omaha => Interception to Linebacker
Omaha => Center Screen to halfback
Omaha => Tight end screen
Omaha => Run off tackle
Omaha => Reverse
Omaha => End around
See a pattern?
He will be like Farve. He will retire and then try to make a comeback a couple of times.
The WSJ today had an excellent analysis of why Denver lost.
Essentially, it was the ability to pressure Manning without the blitz. They rushed either three or four all day. This allowed an extra linebacker, or even a lineman, to sit five yards out and wreck the pick, while at the same time preventing single coverage receivers from burning secondaries with yards after catch.