Peyton Manning: "We are what we are" (1 Viewer)

[Otis]

He contrasted the game with basketball, saying something to the effect of "it's not like basketball where you can play both sides. You can only control what goes on when you are out there. As offensive players it's our job to

score points."

Then the backtrack. "Unfortunately we didn't score enough points."

In one sense I feel for the guy. He leads one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, and yet can't seem to get the wins with such an awful defense. Are his comments justified?

 

[Kevin Ashcraft]

Anyone who gets on Manning for these comments is throwing stones just because it is the cool thing to do. Anyone who knows ANYTHING about the Colts this season knows that it is not anyone on the offense that is to blame for IND's shortcomings.

 

[nxmehta]

I agree that pretty much all of the Colts' problems stem from the defense. The offense has been pretty much perfect. However, Peyton Manning only needs to look at his contract and the contracts of other offensive stars to see the reason WHY the defense is so bad.

Defense is not what this team is about. The team hasn't invested in defense. They can't.

 

[H.K.]

Who cares?

Manning is FF gold, so are Harrison and Wayne.

Thank you all for a fine season, gentlemen!

 

[Borat]

I agree that pretty much all of the Colts' problems stem from the defense. The offense has been pretty much perfect. However, Peyton Manning only needs to look at his contract and the contracts of other offensive stars to see the reason WHY the defense is so bad.Defense is not what this team is about. The team hasn't invested in defense. They can't.

I'm pretty sure Dwight Freeney will be a free agent after this season. Potentially losing him will not help.

 

[Slinger]

Let me first say that I LOVE Peyton Manning, but he's the leader of that team...not just the offensive side. Pipe down and score more points.

 

[Chaz McNulty]

If Tom Brady had said this the comments from these boards would have been:

"He's being a strong leader by asking the defense to step it up."

 

[jonmhend]

Let me first say that I LOVE Peyton Manning, but he's the leader of that team...not just the offensive side. Pipe down and score more points.

They had the ball 7 times yesterday. One kneel-down, and Rhodes fumbled on their 2nd offensive play. That leaves 5 drives - 3 TDs, 1 FG, 1 punt. That's pretty good. Absolutely they need to spend more on D, but to say they need to score more points doesn't tell the entire story.

 

[Slinger]

Let me first say that I LOVE Peyton Manning, but he's the leader of that team...not just the offensive side. Pipe down and score more points.

They had the ball 7 times yesterday. One kneel-down, and Rhodes fumbled on their 2nd offensive play. That leaves 5 drives - 3 TDs, 1 FG, 1 punt. That's pretty good. Absolutely they need to spend more on D, but to say they need to score more points doesn't tell the entire story.

I agree that the offense is great and the defense sucks, but Peyton shouldn't point fingers as the leader.

 

[Kevin Ashcraft]

If Tom Brady had said this the comments from these boards would have been:"He's being a strong leader by asking the defense to step it up."

 

[[scooter]]

How is he throwing the defense under the bus when he specifically stated that the offense didn't score enough points?

Sounds like he threw himself under the bus.

 

[Capella]

What should he say? "We need to score on every possession"?

 

[Borat]

If Tom Brady had said this the comments from these boards would have been:

"He's being a strong leader by asking the defense to step it up."

See, the thing is, Tom Brady wouldn't have said this.

 

[Borat]

I agree that pretty much all of the Colts' problems stem from the defense. The offense has been pretty much perfect. However, Peyton Manning only needs to look at his contract and the contracts of other offensive stars to see the reason WHY the defense is so bad.Defense is not what this team is about. The team hasn't invested in defense. They can't.

I'm pretty sure Dwight Freeney will be a free agent after this season. Potentially losing him will not help.

Freeney is a liability. He pretty much equals Vick.

He may be a liability against the run, but there are few pass rushers as talented.

 

[purestrength]

I'm a Colts homer. Believe me, Freeney isn't as valuable as most casual observers think he is.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I think I would be frustrated, too, if Ron Dayne had just run all over my defense.

 

[Otis]

Anyone who gets on Manning for these comments is throwing stones just because it is the cool thing to do. Anyone who knows ANYTHING about the Colts this season knows that it is not anyone on the offense that is to blame for IND's shortcomings.

For what it's worth, I'm not just throwing stones. I was very surprised to see him say those things during the interview. I like Manning and usually think he is a very classy guy, which is why these comments surprise me.

 

[Otis]

' date='Dec 25 2006, 01:35 PM' post='6111269']

How is he throwing the defense under the bus when he specifically stated that the offense didn't score enough points?

Sounds like he threw himself under the bus.

Reread it or, better yet, catch the interview on Sportscenter. He was throwing the defense on the bus essentially by saying it's not like basketball, he can only play offense and can't help what happens on defense, with the implication that once again the offense did its job and the defense didn't. His comment at the end was backpedaling. You could see it on his face when he realized he was throwing the defense under the bus.

 

[Otis]

What should he say? "We need to score on every possession"?

I don't know what he should say. I just found it curious that he was bashing his defense. Seemed uncharacteristic of him.

 

[Ghost Rider]

' date='Dec 25 2006, 01:35 PM' post='6111269']

How is he throwing the defense under the bus when he specifically stated that the offense didn't score enough points?

Sounds like he threw himself under the bus.

Reread it or, better yet, catch the interview on Sportscenter. He was throwing the defense on the bus essentially by saying it's not like basketball, he can only play offense and can't help what happens on defense, with the implication that once again the offense did its job and the defense didn't. His comment at the end was backpedaling. You could see it on his face when he realized he was throwing the defense under the bus.

Okay, but isn't it about time SOMEONE on the team called the defense out for sucking so bad? They are not doing their job. Should he coddle them and talk about how it was a team loss, when it is obvious to everyone that the defense was to blame for the loss?

 

[NE_REVIVAL]

If Tom Brady had said this the comments from these boards would have been:

"He's being a strong leader by asking the defense to step it up."

See, the thing is, Tom Brady wouldn't have said this.

Exactly, everyone knows the Colts problems lie on the defensive side of the ball, but having your leader publicly point it out is detrimental to the team. It was pretty minor, but why say something like that?I also strongly agree with those who rightly point out that Peytons huge contract has (& in the future) a detrimental effect on what the team can afford on the other side of the ball. The guy has more money than god and if he would just take a little less (lead by example) he could enhance his teams chances of winning a championship.

IMO, Manning is the best passer in the league but he is not the best leader and the above is part of the reason(s) why.

 

[Otis]

' date='Dec 25 2006, 01:35 PM' post='6111269']

How is he throwing the defense under the bus when he specifically stated that the offense didn't score enough points?

Sounds like he threw himself under the bus.

Reread it or, better yet, catch the interview on Sportscenter. He was throwing the defense on the bus essentially by saying it's not like basketball, he can only play offense and can't help what happens on defense, with the implication that once again the offense did its job and the defense didn't. His comment at the end was backpedaling. You could see it on his face when he realized he was throwing the defense under the bus.

Okay, but isn't it about time SOMEONE on the team called the defense out for sucking so bad? They are not doing their job. Should he coddle them and talk about how it was a team loss, when it is obvious to everyone that the defense was to blame for the loss?

Again, I'm not saying he should or shouldn't. I'm just surprised that he made the comments to the press.

 

[Ghost Rider]

' date='Dec 25 2006, 01:35 PM' post='6111269']

How is he throwing the defense under the bus when he specifically stated that the offense didn't score enough points?

Sounds like he threw himself under the bus.

Reread it or, better yet, catch the interview on Sportscenter. He was throwing the defense on the bus essentially by saying it's not like basketball, he can only play offense and can't help what happens on defense, with the implication that once again the offense did its job and the defense didn't. His comment at the end was backpedaling. You could see it on his face when he realized he was throwing the defense under the bus.

Okay, but isn't it about time SOMEONE on the team called the defense out for sucking so bad? They are not doing their job. Should he coddle them and talk about how it was a team loss, when it is obvious to everyone that the defense was to blame for the loss?

Again, I'm not saying he should or shouldn't. I'm just surprised that he made the comments to the press.

Gotcha. He is probably tired of seeing the defense blow game after game, year after year. Granted, Manning has had his fair share of failures, including in January, but it has to be frustrating to see your defense suck almost every year.

 

[Otis]

If the defense is to blame, and if he really wants that surperbowl, perhaps the better way to handle this would be to have that conversation with them, behind closed doors, and not with the press? I can't imagine the statements to the press being productive.

 

[Fla\/\/ed]

Who cares?Manning is FF gold

So does that mean you're through with your "Peyton Manning, How the mighty have fallen" fishing trips?

 

[Otis]

' date='Dec 25 2006, 01:35 PM' post='6111269']

How is he throwing the defense under the bus when he specifically stated that the offense didn't score enough points?

Sounds like he threw himself under the bus.

Reread it or, better yet, catch the interview on Sportscenter. He was throwing the defense on the bus essentially by saying it's not like basketball, he can only play offense and can't help what happens on defense, with the implication that once again the offense did its job and the defense didn't. His comment at the end was backpedaling. You could see it on his face when he realized he was throwing the defense under the bus.

Okay, but isn't it about time SOMEONE on the team called the defense out for sucking so bad? They are not doing their job. Should he coddle them and talk about how it was a team loss, when it is obvious to everyone that the defense was to blame for the loss?

Again, I'm not saying he should or shouldn't. I'm just surprised that he made the comments to the press.

Gotcha. He is probably tired of seeing the defense blow game after game, year after year. Granted, Manning has had his fair share of failures, including in January, but it has to be frustrating to see your defense suck almost every year.

I don't disagree, and I personally would like to see him win a super bowl.

 

[Capella]

What should he say? "We need to score on every possession"?

I don't know what he should say. I just found it curious that he was bashing his defense. Seemed uncharacteristic of him.

It is, but maybe he's just fed up with it. That window is closing, and they just lost to the Texans (the Texans!) two weeks before the playoffs start.

 

[H.K.]

Who cares?Manning is FF gold

So does that mean you're through with your "Peyton Manning, How the mighty have fallen" fishing trips?

Yep. Season's over, titles are in the bag, and money is on the way. No need to to bash him any more.

 

[Dancing Bear]

To me Manning is very much responsible for the poor play of the Defense for two very important reasons.

a) He does not seem to understand that the size of his contract detracts from the possible quality of the rest of his teammates. He could structure his contract so that it is greatly reduced and leave more cap room for the positions of need.

I'm not sure of his absolute $ distributions, but you can bet guys like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Peyton Manning are among the few who could basically play for the league minimum and still make out with $10's Million annually.

It is a pretty simple equation; if the money is not there to get top free agents at positions of need, then the team cannot improve.

b) It is also interesting that the Defense of last year played so much better than the teams of previous years or of this year, and at what expense. The Offense slowed things down and played a different brand of ball last year. For some reason they have abandoned that this year and reverted ...

The result, the Texans Offense had the ball for 60% of the game yesterday; that's a lot of time for any Defense to be on the field. As screwy as this sounds, the efficiency of the Indianapolis Offense is a liability for the team. Where are the 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 minute drives? Their absolutely non-existent!

There's at least two ways that Peyton could improve his team.

It pretty much depends on his end goal ... Is it accumulating individual statistics or winning a Super Bowl with his teammates.

 

[Tag]

' date='Dec 25 2006, 01:35 PM' post='6111269']

How is he throwing the defense under the bus when he specifically stated that the offense didn't score enough points?

Sounds like he threw himself under the bus.

Reread it or, better yet, catch the interview on Sportscenter. He was throwing the defense on the bus essentially by saying it's not like basketball, he can only play offense and can't help what happens on defense

Last time I checked he didnt play defense. What part of the interview was "false"

 

[Otis]

What should he say? "We need to score on every possession"?

I don't know what he should say. I just found it curious that he was bashing his defense. Seemed uncharacteristic of him.

It is, but maybe he's just fed up with it. That window is closing, and they just lost to the Texans (the Texans!) two weeks before the playoffs start.

Again, I'm not really condemning or condoning it. I just thought it was interesting and out of the ordinary, and I find myself wondering whether there may be more productive ways to handle his frustration.

 

[Otis]

' date='Dec 25 2006, 01:35 PM' post='6111269']

How is he throwing the defense under the bus when he specifically stated that the offense didn't score enough points?

Sounds like he threw himself under the bus.

Reread it or, better yet, catch the interview on Sportscenter. He was throwing the defense on the bus essentially by saying it's not like basketball, he can only play offense and can't help what happens on defense

Last time I checked he didnt play defense. What part of the interview was "false"

Link to me saying something said during the interview was "false"?

 

[Longshot88]

To me Manning is very much responsible for the poor play of the Defense for two very important reasons.

a) He does not seem to understand that the size of his contract detracts from the possible quality of the rest of his teammates. He could structure his contract so that it is greatly reduced and leave more cap room for the positions of need.

I'm not sure of his absolute $ distributions, but you can bet guys like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Peyton Manning are among the few who could basically play for the league minimum and still make out with $10's Million annually.

It is a pretty simple equation; if the money is not there to get top free agents at positions of need, then the team cannot improve.

b) It is also interesting that the Defense of last year played so much better than the teams of previous years or of this year, and at what expense. The Offense slowed things down and played a different brand of ball last year. For some reason they have abandoned that this year and reverted ...

The result, the Texans Offense had the ball for 60% of the game yesterday; that's a lot of time for any Defense to be on the field. As screwy as this sounds, the efficiency of the Indianapolis Offense is a liability for the team. Where are the 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 minute drives? Their absolutely non-existent!

There's at least two ways that Peyton could improve his team.

It pretty much depends on his end goal ... Is it accumulating individual statistics or winning a Super Bowl with his teammates.

 

[Memphis Foundry]

What should he say? "We need to score on every possession"?

I don't know what he should say. I just found it curious that he was bashing his defense. Seemed uncharacteristic of him.

Seems pretty similar to last year when after the playoff loss to the Steelers he blamed the loss on his pass protection:"I'm trying to be a good teammate here . . . Let's just say we had some problems in protection. I'll give Pittsburgh credit for their blitzes and their rush, but we did have some problems."I'm sure it's immensely frustrating for him because people tend to unfairly single him out for losses in big games. He was correct in his crtiques in both cases, but I'm not sure that criticizing his teammates in the media is the right way to provide leadership to the team.

 

[Dancing Bear]

It comes down to overall character and self-control. There is no reason to even answer the question if it means you criticize your teammates in public.

 

[smcindoe]

The problem is that when a reporters asks him what he thinks of the defense, he was three options:

- Lie, and say they played great, which makes him look like an idiot

- Give a typical cliched say-nothing answer, which everyone always complains about atheletes doing

- Tell the truth, and be a "bad teammate"

Sometimes reporters remind me of the wife who wants to know if the dress makes her butt look big. If you don't want an answer, why are you asking the question?

 

[identikit]

Living in Indiana, I've always thought that if I met Peyton Manning, I'd say the following 2 sentences:

'Do you want to be this decade's Dan Marino, with all the records and zero championships? Then give up some of the $$$$ so that a halfway decent defense can be put together.'

In the past few years, the Colts have lost Mike Peterson, Larry Tripplet, and David Thornton due to this dollar shortage. Cato June is next; he'll be gone after this season.

While I can't fault an athlete for going after the most $$$, a championship would last much longer.

Id

 

[Tag]

' date='Dec 25 2006, 01:35 PM' post='6111269']

How is he throwing the defense under the bus when he specifically stated that the offense didn't score enough points?

Sounds like he threw himself under the bus.

Reread it or, better yet, catch the interview on Sportscenter. He was throwing the defense on the bus essentially by saying it's not like basketball, he can only play offense and can't help what happens on defense

Last time I checked he didnt play defense. What part of the interview was "false"

Link to me saying something said during the interview was "false"?

You kind of implied that Peyton had said something false or out of the ordinary. I think what he said was pretty much the truth. He doesnt play defense and anyone who partially follows football know that the Indy defense is at fault for there problems. I dont think he revealed any secret or something we already dont know.

 

[Riffraff]

The problem is that when a reporters asks him what he thinks of the defense, he was three options:- Lie, and say they played great, which makes him look like an idiot- Give a typical cliched say-nothing answer, which everyone always complains about atheletes doing- Tell the truth, and be a "bad teammate"Sometimes reporters remind me of the wife who wants to know if the dress makes her butt look big. If you don't want an answer, why are you asking the question?

Sounds like the old saying about a pass play. It has 3 possible outcomes and two are bad.

 

[Pat Patriot]

Some of this is because the defense couldnt get off the field but other than the Cincy game, the Colt offense had not scored more than 17 points in 4 of the previous 5 games. I know they are 4th in the league in scoring but this is not the runnaway juggernaut offense it was last year.

In the offseason, the Colts lost Larry Triplett and David Thornton off what was a decent defense. A big reason they couldnt resign these guys is the contracts of Manning, Harrison and Wayne. Then when Bob Sanders went out, they had no depth to make up for these losses.

The Pats lost Rodney Harrison and Eugene Wilson earlier this year but they have been able to plug guys in. The Colts depth must be HORRENDOUS if losing one safety causes the run defense to go in the tank.

I saw Manning pick apart the Pats and he had a GREAT game and is a GREAT player but he is not a leader which is surprising because he has been in the spotlight all his life. For him not to know what to say and what not to say is surprising.

After the Miami loss, Brady called out his teammates by saying we need to focus and pay attention to the coaches better if they wanted to compete for a title this year. That was a little different because it was coming off a game where the offense stunk not the defense. I cant really compare the two because of that but Brady does have a different style. Some of that, I am sure, is born of already getting his (3 titles). If Brady was stilling looking for his first title, maybe he would be quicker to make excuses and throw his teammates under the bus after tough losses.

 

[TLEF316]

He should have signed a smaller contract so they could buy better defensive players.

 

[smcindoe]

Sounds like the old saying about a pass play. It has 3 possible outcomes and two are bad.

Except against the Colts defense.

 

[Kai's Hero]

If Tom Brady had said this the comments from these boards would have been:"He's being a strong leader by asking the defense to step it up."

The Difference .......Tom Brady wouldn't say it.

 

[Despyzer]

I don't know what he should say. I just found it curious that he was bashing his defense. Seemed uncharacteristic of him.

Just lkike it was uncharacteristic of him last year to blame that playoff loss on the offensive line. How often does it have to happen before it is characteristic of him?I don't disagree with the implication, but I don't think he's the one that should be saying it.

 

[parasaurolophus]

i think the high cap number of mannings contract is a bit overstated. His cap number this year was 1.2 million more than brady and next year it is 3 million lower than brady's. His cap hit goes way up in 2008, but they will obviously restructure his deal at that point. So to blame Manning entirely for the defensive failures is really not fair at all.

Where the colts maybe spent too much money was at WR. Wayne and Harrison are great, dont get me wrong, but Brady has shown that a good QB can make WRs look good. Management just was too weak to make the tough decision of who to pick between the 2.

Also when was the last time a team went out and spent huge money on free agents and won the title? I dont think it has ever happened.

 

[Weiner Dog]

If Tom Brady had said this the comments from these boards would have been:"He's being a strong leader by asking the defense to step it up."

The Difference .......Tom Brady wouldn't say it.

Of course not. The Colts are giving up an average of 175 yards/game on the ground. The Pats have yet to yield 175 yards rushing to any team in any game this year.

 

[Slinger]

If Tom Brady had said this the comments from these boards would have been:"He's being a strong leader by asking the defense to step it up."

The Difference .......Tom Brady wouldn't say it.

Of course not. The Colts are giving up an average of 175 yards/game on the ground. The Pats have yet to yield 175 yards rushing to any team in any game this year.

The rolling eyes smiley helps validate your point.

 

[Assani Fisher]

The problem is that when a reporters asks him what he thinks of the defense, he was three options:- Lie, and say they played great, which makes him look like an idiot- Give a typical cliched say-nothing answer, which everyone always complains about atheletes doing- Tell the truth, and be a "bad teammate"Sometimes reporters remind me of the wife who wants to know if the dress makes her butt look big. If you don't want an answer, why are you asking the question?

I agree with what you're saying totally, but there is a way to say that your teamates played poorly without sounding like you're whining or complaining. Living in NY, I see Tiki Barber in interviews a lot and I think he does a great job of answering every question honestly but still being respectful of his teamates. With that said, Tiki seems like a smart guy and the average athlete probably isn't as smart or well spoken as him...for these athletes it might just be better to avoid the question.

 

[Assani Fisher]

:( If Tom Brady had said this the comments from these boards would have been:"He's being a strong leader by asking the defense to step it up."

The Difference .......Tom Brady wouldn't say it.

Of course not. The Colts are giving up an average of 175 yards/game on the ground. The Pats have yet to yield 175 yards rushing to any team in any game this year.

Last year the Colts had the #2 D and a great offense. In 2001 the Pats were terrible except for Brady.

 

[Weiner Dog]

:( If Tom Brady had said this the comments from these boards would have been:"He's being a strong leader by asking the defense to step it up."

The Difference .......Tom Brady wouldn't say it.

Of course not. The Colts are giving up an average of 175 yards/game on the ground. The Pats have yet to yield 175 yards rushing to any team in any game this year.

Last year the Colts had the #2 D and a great offense. In 2001 the Pats were terrible except for Brady.

Terrible?? The Pats defense allowed more than 17 points in only five of 19 games (inclusive of playoffs).