I honestly cannot blame John Elway or John Fox, their careers are on the line with these moves. From their perspectives, they had to see that Tebow needed alot of work to become a franchise QB. It would've been a very big crap shoot going into next season. Could Tebow have honestly beaten out a really good rookie QB or a veteran, like Matt Flynn, David Gerrard, Jason Campbell, or Alex Smith? For Tebow, it's a toss-up at best, especially when the team starts to get into those training camp drills and etc. All of those passers, even an odd-faced rookie may have looked much more polished in those situations. Here comes Peyton Manning. One of the greatest QBs ever to step foot on grass. Coming back from neck surgeries, while people are questioning how well he will hold up. There are concerns arising, yet you come to watch the guy worked out and he still has it. He's zinging the ball in stride, throwing flick of rest passes, and timing his throws, exceptionally. Did I mentioned he's also known as a offensive coordinator in cleats. Even at 35, Manning brings so much more things to the table than Tebow. Again, Tebow performed outstanding in the 4th quarter in some games, yet he did not do this by himself, as I said earlier Denver could've easily went 3-2 or 4-1 in their first five games. There weren't an awful team by any stretch of imagination, like the 2010 Carolina Panthers. This team was competitive in 4 out of the 5 games, while the lone lost and blowout came against . . . the defending Super Bowl Champions who were one win away from being untouched. Even with Tebow as starter, the Broncos only scored over 20 points, three times in Tebow's 11 starts. OT: Sitting here in the office watching First Take, it's unbelivable how Bayless defends Tebow, yet last week he was trashing the Texans and Matt Schaub. Saying that McNair should've considered Manning more seriously than sticking with Schaub, because he is only .500 percent winning QB, yet thinks Denver disrespecting Tebow. To me, difference between Tebow and Schaub is night and day. Tebow requires alot more flexibility and patience, while you could stick Schaub into any offensive system had have a very competent to elite level offense.
Where did you get 72.5? Counting all 9 games he's played against SD (which is kind of silly to count the games he played against them in 1998 and 1999... considering he didn't play them again til 2004) his QBR comes out to 78.25 If you count the most recent 7 games (2004 and beyond), it comes out to about 80. You're right, by Peyton Manning standards, it's sub-par. I'm not sure how it is relative to how other QBs have done against SD, but I can't imagine it's too far off the curve. Yes he has, but Tracy acts as if Peyton is the reason they lose they games, which is pretty inaccurate. The argument gets even more shakey if you consider very few of the players or staff that gave Peyton all those fits (Wade Phillips and Ron Rivera, respectively) are long gone. I don't see anybody getting in the way of an already division champion that just replaced the worst quarterback in football (and weakest link on their team), with perhaps the best one. I'm not ready to buy into the Chiefs until they get a QB, but they should be fun to watch, regardless.
You don't think it's a given that the Broncos will trade/release him? Or you don't think they should? Because they've pretty much told everyone that's exactly what they're going to, so that's why it's a given. Ironically, by doing that, they give up any leverage they might have with any potential suitors. As far as Tebow backing up Manning...that would be a horrible idea. The whole point of having a backup QB is to have someone you can just plug into the same offense with minimal changes. You think Tebow could run the same offense Manning will be running? He can't even run a normal NFL style offense. They had to design a college gimmick offense just for him. And Tebow won't be able to learn anything from Manning. In order for that to happen, he would have to actually have potential. It's not like Tebow has all this unlimited potential to be a great NFL QB and just needs someone to bring it out. He just sucks.
It's a terrific move for the most part, for a lot of different reasons: The upside is tremendous, it effortlessly unburdens the Tebow drama... But it moves Elways to hot seat; he has to now build a competent team around Manning, like, yesterday - any (year)-plan is now out the window. Bronco fans are going to be expecting 12-win seasons STAT. Everyone focuses on the injury, obviously - but the other looming issue, IMO, is his age. This isn't a 26-year old; he's 36. Even if he was fully healthy last year... at some point, age is going to catch-up to him. Add this injury, a year off and... it'll be interesting to see just how rusty and out of shape he is.
While true, I think age is less of a concern for Manning than just about anyone else in the league: 1. He doesn't rely on speed/athleticism at all. 2. More than anyone else, his game is about the mental side - moving players around, tricking the defense, etc. None of that should diminish with age. 3. He hasn't shown any signs of slowing down as of yet - in his last year, he threw for the most yards of his career and threw more than 100 more passes than his yearly average. It will happen at some point, but it's not like he's already started declining and is something we should expect to accelerate.
The only drama being created is from Denver's front office. I wish Tebow the best wherever he lands. By all accounts, he is a class act.
If you're counting 9, you must be including playoffs? Then 72.5 would be his regular season rating against them. Fair enough, otherwise. 80 it is! (Which is still well-below any and every QB standard.) An 8-8 division champion that tried everything within its limited power to give the division away. It'll be interesting, for sure. And yes, obviously a healthy, return-to-form Manning is a massive upgrade and makes even an admittedly average team better. I'm just not buying any of their stock until I see him in game action. And I think people are sleeping a bit on SD and KC - could be a very interesting division. And i still maintain Manning is a wuss, so there. Took the coward's path. If he was cool forcing out QBs, he should have called the other Harbaugh. It would have been sublime to see him go from the Colts to Baltimore. And there's something about not wanting to be in the same league with his brother that rubs me the wrong way (and recasts Eli's forced trade to the NFC in a much different light, too - kind of pansy-ish all the way around, IMO) The overriding takeaway? The Mannings suck and need to all go away (starting with Archie).
Also, when you bring in Peyton Manning the QB you are also bringing in Peyton Manning the offensive coordinator. Now Fox can devote all his energy to what he knows best - the defense. Sort of like Kubiak and the offense last year after Wade came in.
I agree with the premise in general, taking a small exception to this - it ultimately boils down to physical - moving players into the right position is ultimately worthless if you can't throw them the ball. No, he's been remarkably healthy. But that's kind of the point... how will a 36-year old body react to a year's lay-off spent, for the most part, doing almost no throwing, lifting or training? It doesn't seem like that's being factored in - and maybe it's rendered moot. But it'll definitely make his recovery harder.
he's technically forcing out a qb no matter which team in the nfl he signed with. the one he's "forcing out" here is probably most people's pick for the worst starting qb in the NFL. and, i'm pretty sure he didn't have to make any calls, i'm sure elway was on his knees at his doorstep the second free agency began.
I don't know, but I would think it would be easier for someone who's been healthy their whole life and had a year off to recover from injury than for someone who gets injured on a regular basis. The oft-injured person might be more used to rehab, but injuries take a permanent toll on the body, and being injured often isn't exactly a plus.
i haven't been paying that much attention to the story so i didn't see Denver say they intended to release him. Of course tebow can't run what peyton can but the completely changed the offense when tebow took over this year...why couldn't they do it again if they have to? I'm also not implying that he can learn anything. I'm just saying why get rid of a QB who as a starter, isn't great, but as a backup you could live with.
In 2007 Peyton threw 16 interceptions, that's combining the regular season & the post season. Half. 1/2. 50% of those interceptions came from games against SD including SIX PICKS IN ONE GAME. Don't be a homer Donny, if you're going to ride the "nothings changed about Peyton" bandwagon then accept that SD has had his number for a while now. That may change with a different team but hey.. "nothings changed about Peyton" right? We re-signed Hardwick & Gaither's, V-Jax was asking for too much money, Crayton hasn't had a a good game since 2010? Our receiving core is fine, Floyd, Meachem, Vincent Brown, Eddie Royal not to mention our REAL number 1 receiver in Antonio Gates.... Not Vincent Jackson.... You could say our only real setback was Dielmen retiring. Jarret Johnson has been in the shadow of Ray Lewis for a while, he was a great addition... Phillips has been one of the most consistent pass rushers in the past 7 years. We now have a hard hitting safety next to Weddle in Atari Bigby. All we need is maybe one more LG, & a pass rusher that'll likely be addressed in the draft (leaning towards Nick Perry). Tolbert will be missed but he's being replaced by a pro bowler... It's not going to be a cake walk at all.
They could - but its a hell of a lot of work, especially if you are doing it for just a game or two (or in the middle of a game). It's just much easier to have a backup that can throw a normal football so you're not changing what 10 other players on the field have to do.
Not to change the subject, but......... How do you think Alex Smith feels right now? Been beat like a red-headed stepchild since he landed in SF, leads them to the NFC Title game this year, and the Niners show him the love by pursuing Peyton with a vengeance but don't get him. Why would Alex Smith re-sign with the Niners after all this? Because he has nowhere else to go??
Yes, pretty much. And because he should recognize that getting Peyton Manning is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and any good team should explore that option if its viable. The same was the case with Mark Sanchez who's been to two AFC title games, and he managed to get over it.
^^^ Because last year was the first time he had success, he shouldn't run away from the first system that worked for him. He needs to grow up, almost every team was interested in Manning.
not to mention the 9ers gave him 5 years worth of opportunities to work through his sucking and prove that he was a capable qb last year.
Homer? What? I freaking hate Peyton Manning. And... uh, pot, meet kettle... 1) Resigns don't count towards the "making you better" argument. It "keeps you from getting worse". 2) Atari Bigby couldn't even start for the Seattle Seahawks FFS. 2) Tolbert is an RB who averaged 4 YPC and was good catching out of the backfield, you're replacing him with a stonehanded FB who rarely runs the ball. Net loss. Your offseason has not been very good so far. Your main accomplishments have been resigns. Which you should be glad for regardless. But to act as if you're made a net gain this offseason is beyond homerish. Hopefully your young guys like Matthews, Liuget, and Butler will continue to improve and Gates will finally heal up... that is your most likely chance to get better next year, because it's certainly not looking like it's going to happen through free agency.
