Manning and Manning – Can either brother win the big one?

A little over a year ago, after the Colts lost to the Pats in their postseason competition, Boomer Esiason said on national television, “I think maybe Peyton (Manning) is this generation’s Dan Marino.” Esiason went on to say that Manning “is a great football player, but he’s not going to make it to the Super Bowl, I’m telling you, not with that defense.”

Marino, who was on set, was offended by the reference, responding, “Oh wait a minute. I made it to a Super Bowl.” Marino made a good comment, but still, Esiason seemed to be on target by not blaming any of the quarterbacks for his failings, but rather the guys on the other side of the ball: his weak defenses.

Fast forward to January 15, 2006, almost exactly one year to the date Esiason made his comments. What was different this time for Peyton Manning and the Colts? The Colts seemed to have the complete package: a great running and passing game, a solid offensive line and excellent defense. Everything was lined up for Manning-Mania to take full effect, especially after such a spectacular regular season.

But once again, under the glare of the national spotlight, in a big playoff game and under the kind of pressure he had rarely seen all season, Peyton Manning collapsed. This latest derailment of Colt’s Super Bowl Express generated a flood of derogatory comments from many writers and commentators, including William C. Rhoden of the NY Times. Two days after the loss, Rhoden dubbed Manning “the king of stats but the prince of NFL quarterbacks” in that while he can generate stats, he may be unable to close the deal and bring a championship to Indianapolis.

No matter how much you respect Peyton Manning and his incredible regular-season performances, it’s hard to argue with the facts. In eight seasons, the Colt QB has led his team to the playoffs six times, where he is 3-6. In those nine games, he hit for 15 TDs, threw 8 INTs and was sacked 13 times. There are quarterbacks, most recently Tom Brady, who usually manage to rise to the occasion in the big game, deftly dealing with a panoply of adversity. And then there are those like Manning, usually able to function like finely tuned precision machines, meaning that when everything is copacetic, they hum along but let something like a bombardment throw them off the beat and they break down.

Some people point out that maybe he has too much control over the offense, constantly changing and adjusting plays at the line of scrimmage, and when things go wrong, it’s nearly impossible for Manning to adjust. Others claim that he just can’t handle the pressure of a big game situation. Some blame others on the team. After losing to the Steelers this postseason, Peyton Manning did something he had never done before; point the finger at his companions.

Then there’s Peyton’s younger brother, Eli, who just finished his second NFL season and first pro postseason. Against the Carolina Panthers, Eli Manning completed 10 of 18 passes, threw three interceptions, was sacked four times and lost a fumble as the Giants were humiliated by their opponents 23 to close. At one point in the game, it seemed as if Eli Manning thought it was his job to get the ball to the Panthers as boos echoed through Giants Stadium and fans scrambled out.

Coldness under pressure: is this a characteristic of Manning? Or do Peyton and Eli share some kind of panic gene? For Eli, it’s too early to tell and with Peyton, there’s still time to turn the tide.

Perhaps one should ask, “What would father and former NFL QB Archie Manning do?” There’s no answer to that question: In 15 NFL seasons, Archie never came close to making the playoffs.

Time will tell what the true legacy of the Manning brothers will be. Dan Marino – Step aside?

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