It was a rush to judgment on Peyton Manning's prolific NFL career last week that various media outlets were on the verge of naming the Colts quarterback the greatest player in the history of the game.
Oops.
Manning has had a marvelous career, of course, as a four-time league MVP. But greatest of all-time when he's still playing? Please, give that a rest. That's unfair to all who preceded him and to Manning himself. Where does Tom Brady fit into the equation? And if you consider Manning, you have to consider Brady. Manning has one Super Bowl ring, Brady three.
This is not to demean Manning's spectacular career. He is clearly among the best ever to play the game. But he's lost too many playoff games, and now a Super Bowl, to unilaterally declare him the best ever.
He is one of the most unique quarterbacks in history for the way he runs the offense. He is among the smartest, and hardest-working. But the best? That will take more success on the biggest stage.
When it counted in Ft. Lauderdale on Sunday night, he made the game's big mistake. Ironically, it came on one of Manning's favorite plays with Reggie Wayne as the intended target. But Tracy Porter watched enough tape to know what was coming, and this time he executed better than Manning. If Manning is the greatest player ever, should he not have been able to deliver on the opportunity at hand?
If Manning lost a little luster from his portfolio, then the Saints' Drew Brees was the big winner on Sunday night. He was the quarterback the Chargers rejected in favor of Philip Rivers, and we know Rivers' record in playoff games isn't good. Reputations and legacies are created on Super Bowl Sunday. The book will remain open on Manning for now. Brees just started one.
