Posted on 02/08/2016 8:15:24 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Anyone looking for a storybook ending to one of the most celebrated active NFL careers in the league had to think it was coming. Peyton Manning, buoyed by a dominant defense, had finally returned to the winner’s platform in a Super Bowl at 39 years of age, the oldest starting quarterback in all 50 Super Bowls. All that would be necessary would be two simple words: “I’m retiring.”
Sorry, storybook fans. Manning couldn’t quite say it — not even after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell all but announced it moments before Manning took the microphone on stage:
It certainly sounds as though Manning’s planning to wrap things up:
Although Manning had told New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick after the AFC title game that this might be his "last rodeo," Manning had stressed that he would do what he always does in the offseason. The next step for him will be a physical next month, something he always goes through in March. He'll see neurologists and determine whether to try to play again at the age of 40 and after multiple procedures on his neck.
On Saturday night, Manning was one of several players who spoke up in what a Broncos executive described as a "very emotional" team meeting, but he wouldn't say what was discussed there, either, citing advice from his former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy.
"'Don't make an emotional decision,’" he told CBS's Jim Nantz. "This has been emotional week, an emotional night."
So why no big reveal last night? Jerome Bettis made his announcement after the Pittsburgh Steelers won a Super Bowl in Bettis’ home town, giving both The Bus and Detroit their storybook ending. Perhaps Manning didn’t want to distract from his teammates’ accomplishment last night, or maybe he just wants this to be a more private decision. Given the way he played in the last couple of games after finally getting healthy again, though, he might want to give it another shot in 2016 — especially with this defense. They played a monster game against what had appeared to be an unstoppable force with Cam Newton and the Panther’s offense. It was an exciting defensive battle right down to the turnover with three minutes left in the game. What quarterback wouldn’t like to be the beneficiary of that kind of lights-out defense?
All that being said, Manning has nothing left to prove, and a life to lead outside of football. It’s time to make that transition before the injuries become too cumulative to enjoy retirement. What do you think? Take the poll:
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Update: I will keep the poll open until 5 pm or so, then post the results later tonight.
His health is questionable going forward and he gets to go out on top.
One thing that grabbed me was when they were introducing players from past Superbowls...most couldn’t walk well at all.
WADA and USADA are going to be a headache going forward... he’s retiring.
Retire, Payton, you have been barely functional the last few games. Leave your legacy intact.
football is the gladiatorial arena of our time
Thanks for the memories.
But why retire on a low-note? ...right?
Except for Marcus Allen, he looked he could play now.
The only reason he might want to stay is to break Favre’s record for total wins (they’re tied at 200 now), but I think Peyton is more long-term than that; he has the brains and football savvy to be a head coach like, well, Kubiak.
How many NFL players can say that their last act on the field was a completed pass for a 2-point conversion to emphatically slam the lid on a Superbowl victory?
Manning will make a great offensive coordinator in his early retirement years from being an active player.
boy I noticed that, too.
Almost all of them winced in pain at just walking out, much less stepping up to the podium.
Let’s hope it was. He’s been so bad. Yeah with that defense he could probably make another run, but then how much of that defense could they keep if they’re still dragging his salary? 19 million is a lot to pay for a guy throwing less than 30 passes a game, meanwhile almost their entire starting D including Miller, Marshall, and Smith are free agents. They’ve already said they want to tag Miller, which keeps him for a year but is expensive, the rest have to be negotiated. The difference between keeping the core of that defense and blowing it all up could very well be not bringing back Manning.
Why would he take such a huge pay cut?
John Gruden is the highest paid non-executive at ESPN, works 3 days a week, and lives in Florida.
Top college coaches are in the $5m/yr range with ginormous perks
Manning could step into one of those jobs tomorrow.
I noticed that too. Their hips/legs are shot.
Most of the time in interviews you just see them standing up or at a table. One of the few times I’ve seen them move a distance.
As an aside: what happened to the player who had the concussion?
There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s going to retire.
He would be insane not to retire...and most players under the age of 32, who can still get around should contemplate retirement as well. This game has devolved to the point that physical detruction seems to be the goal, regardless of steps the league is taking to allay that image...
If we can’t see fit to eliminating tackle football (which I am all for but can seem to get nobody to agree with me) then eliminate the 3-point stance, kickoffs and punt returns...explore technology to develop soft outer shells on helmets, that would lessen the severity of helmet to helmet shots; these are sickening and alone are cnducive to banning the sport as it now exists...there are many other suggestions as well, I’m sure...
He looked awful yesterday, but don’t discount his leadership. For some reason, the Broncos won behind him and lost behind Brock Ostweiler. He should take Irsay up on retiring as a Colt. He’s got nothing to prove anymore and everything to disprove.
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