Peyton had four surgeries last year, and as a result, he could not play. Jim Irsay is supposed to pay him $28 million in a few days to keep him unless they restructure his contract. In the news, there is so much buzz about what is going on around him that it has become unreliable, unbelievable, and frankly irresponsible journalism. Writer Bob Kravitz in Indianapolis won the "Supreme Jackass" award for his comment concerning Peyton's "noodle arm" a few weeks ago. I think it's about time to to write something that is just blunt common sense:
We'll just have to wait and see. There is nothing else to discuss. Period.
Manning is regarded as one of the best quarterbacks, let alone football players in general, to ever play the game. He's been playing for roughly 14 years professionally, and probably another 14 or so years before that. That's 28 years, approximately, of playing football. I think he's familiar with the game. Also, maybe I'm on my own here, but I also do believe he knows more about how he feels than we do.
Would it be smart to pay him $28 million without knowing for sure how he's going to do? Of course not. Would it be smart to cut him lose without knowing for sure how well he might be able to play next year? Of course not. Is it smart to put all of your eggs in one basket, especially if your not sure whether your basket can carry professional football-playing eggs? Luck might be great, he might not be. Again, let me make an outrageous comment:
We'll just have to wait and see. There is nothing else to discuss. Period.
Now, let's discuss some of the hype around the issue. Do I think Jim Irsay is a moron? Well, he is a billionaire in charge of a football team whose regular season record for roughly a decade was incredibly successful. So, I'm inclined to say absolutely not. Do I think he's made completely moronic decisions about how to broadcast this Peyton Manning situation? Yup. Has he acted kind of like a jackass by making Peyton seem like an expendable item, especially now that we see he's mainly responsible for that successful regular season success? Yup. Jim, how about a note-to-self: Pull your head out. Your reputation is heading south like a bowling ball dropped out of a commuter plane. The guy who has been taking your 2-14 team to the 11-5 average record is being treated like a distant excommunicated criminal in the media. The word here Jim, is "tact."
Bob Kravitz's comment was infuriating. After a couple of months of rehabilitation, he makes the comment that Peyton is nowhere near full-strength. Really Bob? Is that your genius contribution? Do you also go around calling pregnant women fat? What an amazing observation. The level of sophisticated and educated statements around here is just outstanding.
It looks like Peyton Manning will play next year. If he does, with his previous track record of consistent and outstanding performances, I imagine he will be fantastic. However, since, to my knowledge, nobody owns a working "Miss Cleo" crystal ball, and nobody can successfully predict the future,
We'll just have to wait and see. There is nothing else to discuss. Period.
For the next few months, all of you in the media, Señor Kravitz, Señor Irsay, please, for the love of all that is good and pure in football... just lock it up. Your speculative comments are driving us all crazy. Also, minor side note, you guys are all hanging your success on the efforts of other successful people who are actually doing something - how about a little more respect thrown their way?
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