Manning's Legacy

I'm getting some feedback on Peyton Manning. Here's my take on a recent email I received asking to put Manning's legacy (so far) in perspective, especially in relation to the 1997 Heisman vote.

Heisman winner Charles Woodson has had a decent career with some mostly lack-luster Oakland Raider teams. Woodson has 17 career interceptions in 8 seasons. By comparison, former Washington Redskins great Darrell Green had 54 picks in a 20-year career. Of course, Green also played in 3 Super Bowls. Woodson has played in one. Green was a 7 time Pro Bowl selection. Woodson has been to four Pro Bowls. Although his play has levelled-off in recent years, and despite missing much of this season with a busted leg, Woodson has been a solid pro.

Ryan Leaf finished third in Heisman voting in 1997. He's out of the NFL.

Manning, of course, set an NFL record with 49 touchdown passes last year. This year, his team was undefeated through 13 games. The bottom line, Manning is a quarterback and his career will be based on big games. Dan Marino set plenty of records, but never won a Super Bowl. Bob Griese wasn't a prolific passer, but is a 2-time Super Bowl champ. Both are Hall of Famers. Fair or not-- many fans look at it this way: Marino, great quarterback. Griese, good quarterback AND A WINNER.

Peyton's bowl record at UT was spotty. He lost his only major bowl game. But a Super Bowl title in Indy will force nay-sayers to drop the "can't win a big game" tag that's been attached to Manning at times.

I've known Peyton since 1994. I have tremendous personal and professional respect for him. He has always been good to me as a journalist. And for the record, I voted for Manning on my 1997 Heisman ballot. I believe he deserved the trophy. But that's ancient history.

Current NFL receiver Randy Moss was 4th in Heisman voting in 1997, just ahead of Ricky Williams (who won the trophy a year later).