First of all let me start by saying that I think the fans here are a class act compared to many around SB Nation. Most of the posts really revolve around level headed football talk. This is why I hope Peyton does not go to Denver. The Tebow support of many fans borders on cult like devotion. I do not think they deserve Peyton.

At least the support of Smith as your QB is qualified by the reasoning of many Niners fans as they see it. I can fully appreciate that. As a Manning fan here in Indiana I have seen many games in Indy and witnessed Peyton's off field behavior as well. That being said I believe Peyton would be great for the Niners and the Niners great for him.

1. Peyton started 208 games before this season. Second most durable QB in history. Until the neck injury Peyton only had an infected bursa sac worked on. He has had no injuries to speak of his entire career.

2. Manning has been the least sacked QB since entering the league. And many of the sacks were just him lying down to avoid the hit. Unlike other QB's Peyton's age, he has taken far far less of a beating over the years.

3. Peyton first received this injury in 2006 against Washington. This is attested to by Dungy and Manning. He aggravated it before the 2010 season. That was the season he threw a string of INT's that according to Manning were due to not getting enough on the ball. He still threw 33 TD's for 4700 yards.

4. The surgery was done to correct what he had been struggling with since 2006. According to Sports Orthopedics mag. 71% of NFL players who had this surgery came back to full strength.

5. Medical fact-Peyton is in no more danger of injury than any other player. His fusion had completely healed some time ago. The only question was nerve regeneration.

6. Peyton's surgeons are amazed how he has regenerated so quickly. It was thought that it would take until May or June for full regeneration from where he was in Jan. Manning is ahead of schedule.

7. According to Stokely and others Manning has thrown to, they believe that he will be back to pre 2006 form by the time the season starts. This is very possible as others who had this surgery found they were stronger than before. Bones and nerves will over compensate when they heal. Considering Peyton's incredibly quick rehab I believe this will be the case.

Add a healthy hungry Manning to this great team and I see nothing but dominance. I see a synergy between a team that has not had a QB of this talent in a long time and a QB who has not been surrounded by such a balance of talent before. I believe everyone who bets against Manning returning to form has missed their guess.

If Peyton goes elsewhere I still wish you all the best next season. However, if he ends up in a San Francisco jersey I will have to buy the NFL package so I can see every game. I think the next few seasons would be in the record books.

As a Manning fan for 14 years I was sad to see him leave today. However, I do believe Peyton has a chance at greater success with another team at this point in his career. In fact, I can see Miami as a great fit for both sides.

First, let's be clear about his injury. I wrote an analysis of the subject in a post called "Some Clarity on Peyton's Injury". The fact is, the fusion is done and fine. He is in no more danger of being injured than any other player. Second, the nerve in question is indeed regenerating. Everyone who has seen him play has agreed that he will play in 2012. The likes of Polian, Archie, Wayne, Saturday, Clark and others believe he will be 100% the old Manning.

Now, with that being said I think Miami would do great with Peyton behind center. Not only do you have a great team ready to make a run but...

1. Reggie Wayne already stated he would come to Miami with Manning in a second.

2. Peyton owns a Rex Ryan led defense. The record speaks for itself. Rex has only defeated Peyton once, and that was against one of the most injured teams in Colts history.

3. Unlike any other non division opponents in the league, Peyton has faced the Patriots every year and is completely familiar with them. In fact, he has pretty much owned them the last few years. I believe his record against them is 5-2 since 2005.

4. Peyton can sign before the March 13 date that the other free agents have to wait for. He could be a real draw for other free agents to consider coming to Miami.

These are just a few thoughts that I have not seen anyone touch on. Peyton is as familiar with your division rivals as you could possibly want from a QB. Give him the keys to the car and let him drive your offense and you have WIN written all over it.

I have watched Peyton for years elevate every player around him. With his work ethic, his coaching and his play. You could not ask for a better field general. Of all the possible interested teams Peyton is best suited to your division.

Your team with Peyton = fear in the division and the league.

Here is some great information

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Here is some great information

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Here some great information

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This was just on NFL network. It is probably the best concise clear picture I have heard on Peyton's injury. It also is from a "real" expert on the subject. This doctor does 150 fusion surgeries a year. He clears up a lot of the misconceptions many in the media have been perpetuating. He makes the same claim I found in the study quoted in my previous post. This surgery has a good recovery rate.

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There is way too much misinformation on Peyton Manning's injury.

First of all, a little history.

According to Dungy and Manning, Peyton received his initial neck injury in a game against the Washington Redskins on Oct. 22, 2006. Dungy recalled that " Manning's neck was wrenched and his helmet ripped off when he took a hit by Andre Carter followed by a hit from Phillip Daniels". The hits were legal so do not read anything into that.

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There is way too much misinformation on Peyton Manning's injury.

First of all, a little history.

According to Dungy and Manning, Peyton received his initial neck injury in a game against the Washington Redskins on Oct. 22, 2006. Dungy recalled that " Manning's neck was wrenched and his helmet ripped off when he took a hit by Andre Carter followed by a hit from Phillip Daniels". The hits were legal so do not read anything into that.

When Manning got up he shook his right arm " as if to get the feeling back into it". Peyton took a time out and told the back up QB to be ready. Peyton went on to throw for 244 yards and three TD's in the second half. According to Irsay and Dungy the neck would get aggravated over the next few years but nothing really abnormal.

But, in September of 2010 it was reported that Peyton had been injured sometime before week one. That is when the disc in his neck began to do nerve damage. Manning struggled with pain throughout the 2010 season. He admitted to not having as much throwing strength as usual. This resulted in his decreased production: 91.2 passer rating, 4700 yards, 33 TD's and 17 Int. (hell of a season for an injured QB).

Peyton's first two surgeries were more noninvasive in an attempt to keep the disc from doing damage to the nerve. The fusion was done on the third attempt and was successful. Two of the countries leading neurosurgeons, along with the Colts neurosurgeon have cleared Peyton to play in the NFL again. This relates completely to the fusion itself. Not the nerve regeneration that is subsequent to the fusion surgery.

Peyton is no more likely to "break his neck and be paralyzed" than anyone else in the league. The fusion does not make his neck "weaker", it just may be a little less mobile. Only time will tell. The discs are fused and healed and no longer do damage to the nerve, which is what has caused the loss in arm strength.

The question now is, when and if the nerve will completely heal. This process can take from a few months to a year. The fact is, a study was done on this very issue in regards to NFL players who have had disc herniation's and nerve damage. According to the Spine Orthopedics,Aug. 2010, 72% of NFL players who underwent surgery for disk herniation and resulting nerve damage returned to play, on average for 2.8 more years. The non-surgery group returned to play for just 1.5 years.

In an interview with Joe Montana, Joe said he underwent fusion surgery in 1986 and was told many of the same things Peyton has by so many around him- just retire. Montana underwent his surgery and went on to win Super Bowls 23 and 24, was MVP in 1989, Super Bowl MVP and led his team to two 14-2 regular seasons. And all of this after disc fusion surgery.

According to Peyton and those around him he is getting strength back in his arm. Both Reggie Wayne and Joseph Addai took some reps from Manning and agreed that he was getting more zip on the ball. It could still take several months to find out if Peyton will be in that 72% club and get back to full strength.

The Colt's do not have the luxury of waiting to find out as they have to make a decision before March 8th and a 28 million dollar bonus they would have to pay Manning. It's not going to happen and Peyton will become a free agent.

The rest of the NFL has more time to see how Peyton is doing. The fact is the odds are in Peyton's favor. He is already getting his strength back and there is a three out of four chance his nerve will heal completely. If so, I believe Peyton has at least three more years of Manning level football left in him, maybe more. He may be 36 but other than this neck injury he was the least sacked QB in the league his entire career. He has never taken the kind of punishment other older QB's have endured.

I would also add that Peyton may be the smartest most cerebral QB in history. I believe he can adjust his game as he gets older and still be just as dangerous. Kinda like Michael Jordan when he could no longer dunk a ball from the free throw line. He just invented the fade shot and won more titles.

If Peyton's nerve completely heals, a team in need of a franchise QB would be nuts not to go for him. Just my two cents.

There is way too much misinformation on Peyton Manning's injury. First of all, a little history.

According to Dungy and Manning, Peyton received his initial neck injury in a game against the Washington Redskins on Oct. 22, 2006. Dungy recalled that " Manning's neck was wrenched and his helmet ripped off when he took a hit by Andre Carter followed by a hit from Phillip Daniels". The hits were legal so do not read anything into that.

When Manning got up he shook his right arm " as if to get the feeling back into it". Peyton took a time out and told the back up QB to be ready. Peyton went on to throw for 244 yards and three TD's in the second half. According to Irsay and Dungy the neck would get aggravated over the next few years but nothing really abnormal.

Continue reading this post »

There is way too much misinformation on Peyton Manning's injury.

First of all, a little history.

According to Dungy and Manning, Peyton received his initial neck injury in a game against the Washington Redskins on Oct. 22, 2006. Dungy recalled that " Manning's neck was wrenched and his helmet ripped off when he took a hit by Andre Carter followed by a hit from Phillip Daniels". The hits were legal so do not read anything into that.

When Manning got up he shook his right arm " as if to get the feeling back into it". Peyton took a time out and told the back up QB to be ready. Peyton went on to throw for 244 yards and three TD's in the second half. According to Irsay and Dungy the neck would get aggravated over the next few years but nothing really abnormal.

But, in September of 2010 it was reported that Peyton had been injured sometime before week one. That is when the disc in his neck began to do nerve damage. Manning struggled with pain throughout the 2010 season. He admitted to not having as much throwing strength as usual. This resulted in his decreased production: 91.2 passer rating, 4700 yards, 33 TD's and 17 Int. (hell of a season for an injured QB).

Peyton's first two surgeries were more noninvasive in an attempt to keep the disc from doing damage to the nerve. The fusion was done on the third attempt and was successful. Two of the countries leading neurosurgeons, along with the Colts neurosurgeon have cleared Peyton to play in the NFL again. This relates completely to the fusion itself. Not the nerve regeneration that is subsequent to the fusion surgery.

Peyton is no more likely to "break his neck and be paralyzed" than anyone else in the league. The fusion does not make his neck "weaker", it just may be a little less mobile. Only time will tell. The discs are fused and healed and no longer do damage to the nerve, which is what has caused the loss in arm strength.

The question now is, when and if the nerve will completely heal. This process can take from a few months to a year. The fact is, a study was done on this very issue in regards to NFL players who have had disc herniation's and nerve damage. According to the Spine Orthopedics,Aug. 2010, 72% of NFL players who underwent surgery for disk herniation and resulting nerve damage returned to play, on average for 2.8 more years. The non-surgery group returned to play for just 1.5 years.

In an interview with Joe Montana, Joe said he underwent fusion surgery in 1986 and was told many of the same things Peyton has by so many around him- just retire. Montana underwent his surgery and went on to win Super Bowls 23 and 24, was MVP in 1989, Super Bowl MVP and led his team to two 14-2 regular seasons. And all of this after disc fusion surgery.

According to Peyton and those around him he is getting strength back in his arm. Both Reggie Wayne and Joseph Addai took some reps from Manning and agreed that he was getting more zip on the ball. It could still take several months to find out if Peyton will be in that 72% club and get back to full strength.

The Colt's do not have the luxury of waiting to find out as they have to make a decision before March 8th and a 28 million dollar bonus they would have to pay Manning. It's not going to happen and Peyton will become a free agent.

The rest of the NFL has more time to see how Peyton is doing. The fact is the odds are in Peyton's favor. He is already getting his strength back and there is a three out of four chance his nerve will heal completely. If so, I believe Peyton has at least three more years of Manning level football left in him, maybe more. He may be 36 but other than this neck injury he was the least sacked QB in the league his entire career. He has never taken the kind of punishment other older QB's have endured.

I would also add that Peyton may be the smartest most cerebral QB in history. I believe he can adjust his game as he gets older and still be just as dangerous. Kinda like Michael Jordan when he could no longer dunk a ball from the free throw line. He just invented the fade shot and won more titles.

If Peyton's nerve completely heals, a team in need of a franchise QB would be nuts not to go for him. Just my two cents.

Only reporters with supposed "insider connections" are making all the half ass prophecies about Peyton.

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Mine are:

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   What a hard fought second half...

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  Great game today.

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 It's an age old story and the reason we don't have three or four rings!!!

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   I never let my passion get in the way of reality...

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 For those who think the Colts are no different than other teams with regards to injuries...

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Collie had limited practice today...

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   I am a Colts fan and also a dog rescue worker...

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   Given the current state of the Colts, how do you think we can fair against our next two opponents - New England and San Diego?

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Rivers for MVP!

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This was a post from another blog:

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From a recent NFL.com report:

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After reviewing their stats this year I think we are fine if Powers can't go. Lacey has done a good job for us also and has plenty of playing experience.  While Lacey has played more games he does have more INT. and a few more passes defended. Of course, Powers is definately better. Yet, in our fast system I think that difference is more marginal compared to a defense operating with a slower pass rush. Freeney and Mathis are the key to our pass defense.  Your thoughts?

Revis has been great but Manning has faced as good or better.

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   The "Fast and the Furious"  Colts Defense will be the differense maker!

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  I have studied film on every game Revis played this year...

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  Here are a few of my posts from the ESPN site in answer to a few who were convinced Rivers was a better QB than Manning. It evolved into comparisons to Star, Unitas, Favre, Warner and whoever else they could pull out of the bag.

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   Voting went on yesterday. Are there any leaks or rumors? I hope the voters are not so short sited as to hold the last two games of the season against Peyton.  The fact is he has yet to lose a game while playing a full 60 minutes behind center.  I already listed the stats in another post.  It seems so obvious.  This team is a colt of another color without manning. Other than the possibility of Brees I can see no other viable competition.

  There has been a lot of talk about who should be MVP this year, especially among four QB's in particular. Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Brett Favre and Philip Rivers. Here is a comparison using only THESE FOUR to compare stats and situations.

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