Peyton Manning’s Legacy

What is Peyton Manning’s Legacy?

This question was posed a heck of a lot prior to last week’s game versus the Patriots and I have to tell you how ridiculous that seemed to me. The way that his legacy was judged by one game was astounding to me. I believe that even if Manning lost, he should still be considered one of the best – if not the best all time. The issue I think that we have right now is that we live at a different time now than when all of sport’s “greats” established their legacies.

We have access. A ton of access. That access gives us too much time to dissect and criticize everything. My generation, the 18-25 year old crowd only see the highlight reels of the historic greats in any of the big sports, we never see when they failed. Manning’s legacy is going to be how he was able to put his offense into the best situations, not how his defenses let him down in the playoffs. Peyton Manning may not throw the prettiest pass, but he is definitely a difference maker.

The NFL Playoffs show where the best all around teams really are, and Peyton Manning couldn’t overcome is team’s terrible defense’s in his time with Indianapolis, but his abilities made them goto 9 consecutive playoffs in the 2000’s.

I can understand some of the criticism he has gotten, but to have said the man should have an asterisk next to his name when he makes it to the Hall because of his apparent struggles in the post season was ridiculous. When Manning had to take that season off due to his injury I felt like he should have still gotten MVP, his team went from 10-6 (first in the division), to 2-14(last in the division, worst in the NFL). What was the difference? Peyton wasn’t there.The NFL Playoffs show where the best all around teams really are, and Peyton Manning couldn’t overcome is team’s terrible defense’s in his time with Indianapolis, but his abilities made them goto 9 consecutive playoffs in the 2000’s.

Obviously I am pro-Manning in this debate, I am a die-hard Washington Redskins fan, but throughout my years of watching football Peyton Manning has become someone that I can only root for. When Manning was on the Colt’s, he made me a Colt’s fan, turns out, he made me a Manning fan. He is class, he is smart, and he is one of the best footballers I have ever seen.