Replies

A lot depends on (or should depend on) if Peyton Manning is able to return to form and stay healthy for the coming season. I’m a huge fan of both the Mannings, but I’ll also be the first to admit that Peyton is a gamble at this point. He was one of the best that’s ever played the game, but whether that will be the case after at 36 after a yearlong absence and a severe neck injury, is not a given. I hope he does come back and wins another ring or two, but hopes and reality aren’t always the same thing.

As for Tebow...I feel for the guy. He’s done everything that’s been asked of him, and helped turn a losing team into a playoff bound one. Yet, I think the long-term view of Elway and other types is that last season was a fluke (not Sandra Fluke, lol) and he’s not going to be a long-term winner at QB. Personally, I think Tebow hasn’t yet reached the limits of his potential. He’ll never be a Manning or Dan Marino when it comes to his passing, but he will continue to get better if given the chance. A few years as understudy somewhere could give him the chance to develop his arm and round out his game.

He’ll never be a Manning or Dan Marino when it comes to his passing, but he will continue to get better if given the chance.

A couple of us here have compared his on the field play to another hugely underrated quarterback. Many said he couldn't throw worth a damn either.

A native of Azusa, California, Kilmer played baseball, football and basketball during his athletic career at Citrus High School in California, scoring more than 1,500 points in the latter sport while earning All-American honors.

Kilmer then competed in football for one year at Citrus Junior College where he scored six touchdowns and threw for 15 more, with a broken foot limiting his playing time for the Citrus basketball team.

He then went on to play three seasons at UCLA, closing out his career with an outstanding season in 1960 that helped him finish fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy. During that stellar campaign, he threw for over 1,000 yards, ran for over 800, scored eight touchdowns and served as the team's punter.

After the conclusion of a UCLA career that saw him finish among the top five in school history for passing and rushing yards, as well as total offense, Kilmer played in the 1961 College All-Star Game, where he earned Most Valuable Player honors.

Drafted by the 49ers, he saw action primarily at running back during his rookie season, rushing for 509 yards and ten touchdowns, with his top performance coming against the expansion Minnesota Vikings on October 15 when he rushed for four touchdowns.

Kilmer led the Redskins to an NFC-best 11-3 record, while also leading the NFL in touchdown passes (19) and passer rating (84.8). After the season, Washington advanced to their first Super Bowl, which they lost, 14-7, to the unbeaten Miami Dolphins (16-0). The loss didn't dampen Kilmer's individual recognition as he was named to the Pro Bowl and the All-NFC Team.