Peyton throws arm under the bus; conspicuously silent on neck (1 Viewer)

[Clifford]

Peyton Manning - QB - Broncos

Peyton Manning concedes that his arm strength has diminished and he "still has work to do" to regain form after four neck surgeries at age 36.

"I still have strength to recover, still have work to do," he said. "I am 36 years old. My arm has a lot of yards and a lot of touchdowns on it, so it’s probably not going to be the same as it was when it was 22, but I still think it can complete some passes.

Not cool. That arm has been with him from the beginning and gotten him everywhere he needs to be.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

I hope this was meant to be funny...

 

[Chazzhawk]

*crickets*

 

[rizzler]

Sounds like he's retiring.

 

[moderated]

he's become chad pennington

 

[flc735]

can i compare peyton to old kurt warner? his last year, he was dealing with a shoulder injury which hurt his arm strength significantly. because of that, he went from an elite qb to a mediocre one in an offseason.

even if he lasts the whole season, i would expect him to finish as a 10-15 ranked qb by the end of the year

 

[Mr. Soup Nazi]

I hope this was meant to be funny...

Yur dum

 

[whatadai]

I hope this was meant to be funny...

Yur dum

I hope that was meant to be funny...

 

[Dancing Bear]

Peyton looked awful in his first time back in the saddle. Should have been 3 picks out of 7 passes.

He definitely was RUSTY.

 

[Goooals]

He looked more like Jim Everett. Someone with happy feet who didn't want to get hit. Where is Jim Rome (maybe he can say that he is now referred to as Eli's big brother) so Peyton can tackle him and get his confidence back.

 

[Matt Bitonti]

in general it's bad mojo when a star player ends up on some team different than the one that he was on in his prime.

Hank Aaron on the Brewers. Michael Jordan on the Wizards. Joe Namath on the La Rams. Johnny Unitas on the Chargers. Hakeem the Dream on the Toronto Raptors.

I was at Emmitt Smith's last game when he broke his leg in Sun Devil Stadium against the NYJ. Someone in the crowd stood up and yelled "that's what you get for coming to Arizona"

I'm sorry Cec and all the other Broncos fans out there. just no way this is gonna work out.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Good posting Bitonti

 

[Stewyfootballhead]

in general it's bad mojo when a star player ends up on some team different than the one that he was on in his prime. Hank Aaron on the Brewers. Michael Jordan on the Wizards. Joe Namath on the La Rams. Johnny Unitas on the Chargers. Hakeem the Dream on the Toronto Raptors.I was at Emmitt Smith's last game when he broke his leg in Sun Devil Stadium against the NYJ. Someone in the crowd stood up and yelled "that's what you get for coming to Arizona" I'm sorry Cec and all the other Broncos fans out there. just no way this is gonna work out.

Yeah kinda like Joe Montana throwing touchdown passes with a cantelope sized inflammation on his elbow for the KC Chefs on MNF........

 

[rizzler]

in general it's bad mojo when a star player ends up on some team different than the one that he was on in his prime. Hank Aaron on the Brewers. Michael Jordan on the Wizards. Joe Namath on the La Rams. Johnny Unitas on the Chargers. Hakeem the Dream on the Toronto Raptors.I was at Emmitt Smith's last game when he broke his leg in Sun Devil Stadium against the NYJ. Someone in the crowd stood up and yelled "that's what you get for coming to Arizona" I'm sorry Cec and all the other Broncos fans out there. just no way this is gonna work out.

Gretzky did well on the Kings....Just sayin'

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Benson Will Lead thinks Peyton looked pretty average and most of the zip and velocity was not there. I tend to agree with him but I was hopeful he would shake it off with the rest. What if Manning doesn't have it any more?

 

[Ministry of Pain]

in general it's bad mojo when a star player ends up on some team different than the one that he was on in his prime. Hank Aaron on the Brewers. Michael Jordan on the Wizards. Joe Namath on the La Rams. Johnny Unitas on the Chargers. Hakeem the Dream on the Toronto Raptors.I was at Emmitt Smith's last game when he broke his leg in Sun Devil Stadium against the NYJ. Someone in the crowd stood up and yelled "that's what you get for coming to Arizona" I'm sorry Cec and all the other Broncos fans out there. just no way this is gonna work out.

Yeah kinda like Joe Montana throwing touchdown passes with a cantelope sized inflammation on his elbow for the KC Chefs on MNF........

If you watch the game tapes of him in KC, pretty much never threw it beyond 10 yards towards the end, it was painful to watch.

 

[rizzler]

in general it's bad mojo when a star player ends up on some team different than the one that he was on in his prime. Hank Aaron on the Brewers. Michael Jordan on the Wizards. Joe Namath on the La Rams. Johnny Unitas on the Chargers. Hakeem the Dream on the Toronto Raptors.I was at Emmitt Smith's last game when he broke his leg in Sun Devil Stadium against the NYJ. Someone in the crowd stood up and yelled "that's what you get for coming to Arizona" I'm sorry Cec and all the other Broncos fans out there. just no way this is gonna work out.

Yeah kinda like Joe Montana throwing touchdown passes with a cantelope sized inflammation on his elbow for the KC Chefs on MNF........

If you watch the game tapes of him in KC, pretty much never threw it beyond 10 yards towards the end, it was painful to watch.

Many of us believe that Brady Quinn modeled himself after KC Montana.

 

[Kevin Ashcraft]

Yes but his first season with KC they went to the AFC Championship game. A feeble Joe Montana was better than 100% of Dave Krieg.

 

[Grateful Parrot]

in general it's bad mojo when a star player ends up on some team different than the one that he was on in his prime. Hank Aaron on the Brewers. Michael Jordan on the Wizards. Joe Namath on the La Rams. Johnny Unitas on the Chargers. Hakeem the Dream on the Toronto Raptors.I was at Emmitt Smith's last game when he broke his leg in Sun Devil Stadium against the NYJ. Someone in the crowd stood up and yelled "that's what you get for coming to Arizona" I'm sorry Cec and all the other Broncos fans out there. just no way this is gonna work out.

Gretzky did well on the Kings....Just sayin'

And Moss was average when he was with NE.

 

[Jene Bramel]

The facts aren't surprising here -- improvement after these surgeries can take continue for as long as two seasons -- but Manning making these comments does surprise me. It hasn't been like him to be very specific about the arm strength issue. Could be read as an early attempt to manage expectations or a little bit of playing possum. After watching the first preseason game, it seems closer to the former.

 

[Wyld Stallyns]

Devil's Advocate POV: Why would Peyton telegraph to the rest of the NFL that they won't need to worry about him throwing deep this year. Smokescreen.

 

[habsfan]

in general it's bad mojo when a star player ends up on some team different than the one that he was on in his prime. Hank Aaron on the Brewers. Michael Jordan on the Wizards. Joe Namath on the La Rams. Johnny Unitas on the Chargers. Hakeem the Dream on the Toronto Raptors.I was at Emmitt Smith's last game when he broke his leg in Sun Devil Stadium against the NYJ. Someone in the crowd stood up and yelled "that's what you get for coming to Arizona" I'm sorry Cec and all the other Broncos fans out there. just no way this is gonna work out.

This isn't mojo, it's the inevitable path of a disease called "old age". The speed varies from player to player but the outcome is the same. retirement is the only cure.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

in general it's bad mojo when a star player ends up on some team different than the one that he was on in his prime. Hank Aaron on the Brewers. Michael Jordan on the Wizards. Joe Namath on the La Rams. Johnny Unitas on the Chargers. Hakeem the Dream on the Toronto Raptors.I was at Emmitt Smith's last game when he broke his leg in Sun Devil Stadium against the NYJ. Someone in the crowd stood up and yelled "that's what you get for coming to Arizona" I'm sorry Cec and all the other Broncos fans out there. just no way this is gonna work out.

Gretzky did well on the Kings....Just sayin'

Messier on the Rangers?

 

[rizzler]

in general it's bad mojo when a star player ends up on some team different than the one that he was on in his prime.

Hank Aaron on the Brewers. Michael Jordan on the Wizards. Joe Namath on the La Rams. Johnny Unitas on the Chargers. Hakeem the Dream on the Toronto Raptors.

I was at Emmitt Smith's last game when he broke his leg in Sun Devil Stadium against the NYJ. Someone in the crowd stood up and yelled "that's what you get for coming to Arizona"

I'm sorry Cec and all the other Broncos fans out there. just no way this is gonna work out.

Gretzky did well on the Kings....Just sayin'

Messier on the Rangers?

Moose would've done well anywhere. Even Otis' all-value team.

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

This may end up being a train wreck for Elway.

Imagine how fans will feel in Denver if Manning has a poor season which in turn leads to the Broncos having a bad year.

To add to that, what if Tebow ends up playing a big part of success in NY with the Jets.

Elway has invested a lot of money in an aging qb coming off 3 neck surgeries and a season off. Manning has now publicly said his arm strength is not what it once was. The Broncos have a very tough schedule this year and as big a fan I am of Manning, this could end up going south in a hurry for Elway and the Broncos.

 

[Corporate]

This may end up being a train wreck for Elway.Imagine how fans will feel in Denver if Manning has a poor season which in turn leads to the Broncos having a bad year.To add to that, what if Tebow ends up playing a big part of success in NY with the Jets.Elway has invested a lot of money in an aging qb coming off 3 neck surgeries and a season off. Manning has now publicly said his arm strength is not what it once was. The Broncos have a very tough schedule this year and as big a fan I am of Manning, this could end up going south in a hurry for Elway and the Broncos.

Per the conversation in which Manning made this statement, it does not sound as bad as I think you might be taking it. He attributed it to the surgery, but also to the fact that he is just getting older. From the eye test, he looks like he has enough left to make any NFL throw. I am more concerned of what the likelihood of him taking a big shot or landing awkwardly.

 

[Phlash]

in general it's bad mojo when a star player ends up on some team different than the one that he was on in his prime. Hank Aaron on the Brewers. Michael Jordan on the Wizards. Joe Namath on the La Rams. Johnny Unitas on the Chargers. Hakeem the Dream on the Toronto Raptors.I was at Emmitt Smith's last game when he broke his leg in Sun Devil Stadium against the NYJ. Someone in the crowd stood up and yelled "that's what you get for coming to Arizona" I'm sorry Cec and all the other Broncos fans out there. just no way this is gonna work out.

Gretzky did well on the Kings....Just sayin'

And Moss was average when he was with NE.

                                 Receiving Receiving Receiving Receiving Receiving Receiving Receiving Rushing Rushing Rushing Rushing Rushing Rushing Rushing                 YeaAge   Tm Pos   No.  G  GS Rec       Yds       Y/R        TD       Lng       R/G       Y/G       Att     Yds      TD     Lng     Y/A     Y/G     A/G    YScm  RRTD Fmb AV    2007*+   30 NWE    WR 81  16  16        98      1493      15.2        23        65       6.1      93.3                                                          1493  23  0  202008     31 NWE    WR 81  16  16        69      1008      14.6        11        76       4.3      63.0       2       0       0       2     0.0     0.0     0.1  1008  11  3  112009     32 NWE    WR 81  16  16        83      1264      15.2        13        71       5.2      79.0                                                          1264  13  2  13

Real average seasons right there.

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

To many people saying Gretzky and Messier were able to do it.

Hockey players are able to stay more competitive into old age in comparison to other professional sports. I don't want to get to much into it or derail this thread but there are a number of reasons for this including power play, not as athletic a sport etc.

 

[rizzler]

To many people saying Gretzky and Messier were able to do it.

Hockey players are able to stay more competitive into old age in comparison to other professional sports. I don't want to get to much into it or derail this thread but there are a number of reasons for this including power play, not as athletic a sport etc.

LOOOL, what?Tell me that was slathered in 6 layers of sarcasm.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

in general it's bad mojo when a star player ends up on some team different than the one that he was on in his prime. Hank Aaron on the Brewers. Michael Jordan on the Wizards. Joe Namath on the La Rams. Johnny Unitas on the Chargers. Hakeem the Dream on the Toronto Raptors.

I was at Emmitt Smith's last game when he broke his leg in Sun Devil Stadium against the NYJ. Someone in the crowd stood up and yelled "that's what you get for coming to Arizona"

I'm sorry Cec and all the other Broncos fans out there. just no way this is gonna work out.

So you're saying that players arent as good after their prime? Isnt that just understood?I'm not expecting Manning to be MVP Manning but I see no reason why he cant be top 5 this year

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

This may end up being a train wreck for Elway.Imagine how fans will feel in Denver if Manning has a poor season which in turn leads to the Broncos having a bad year.To add to that, what if Tebow ends up playing a big part of success in NY with the Jets.Elway has invested a lot of money in an aging qb coming off 3 neck surgeries and a season off. Manning has now publicly said his arm strength is not what it once was. The Broncos have a very tough schedule this year and as big a fan I am of Manning, this could end up going south in a hurry for Elway and the Broncos.

Per the conversation in which Manning made this statement, it does not sound as bad as I think you might be taking it. He attributed it to the surgery, but also to the fact that he is just getting older. From the eye test, he looks like he has enough left to make any NFL throw. I am more concerned of what the likelihood of him taking a big shot or landing awkwardly.

This is where we may agree to disagree.Manning has never had a rocket for an arm, but with his age (publicly said it makes your arm strength worse) and his 3 neck surgeries, I think he may struggle to consistently make all the NFL throws.I know it was a small sample size in his first preseason game, but the eye ball test for me showed that he only "might" be able to consistently make all the NFL throws. Yet he was paid like he will for sure be able to make those throws and play solid for a few seasons. A huge gamble imo.

 

[Shutout]

Benson Will Lead thinks Peyton looked pretty average and most of the zip and velocity was not there. I tend to agree with him but I was hopeful he would shake it off with the rest. What if Manning doesn't have it any more?

Then bump Tamme and the short passing game.It may never be what it was before. Likely won't. Maybe every once in a while, there will be glimpes of those days gone by. But it's still Peyton Manning and his overall success has always been more mental than physical (although the physical was really good). If he wakes up in the morning and JIGSAW has replaced his right arm with Brady Quinn's left arm, it won't matter much. Peyton will still outwork, outstudy, and outperform 95% of anyone else the Broncos could possibly have brought in. To me, what it means is, in absence of the number of big plays, there may not be as many possessions, it will take longer to "matriculate" down the field, and we may not always see those games, week in and week out, where its automatic that the Manning team scores 32+.

 

[habsfan]

To many people saying Gretzky and Messier were able to do it.

Hockey players are able to stay more competitive into old age in comparison to other professional sports. I don't want to get to much into it or derail this thread but there are a number of reasons for this including power play, not as athletic a sport etc.

LOOOL, what?Tell me that was slathered in 6 layers of sarcasm.

I'm a hockey guy first and I didn't take it as a slam. I don't think it's as easy to hide normal skill deterioration in football as it is in hockey. You can reduce a guy's workload in hockey to extend his effectiveness but fewer snaps as a receiver (for instance) doesn't fix "slow".

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

To many people saying Gretzky and Messier were able to do it.

Hockey players are able to stay more competitive into old age in comparison to other professional sports. I don't want to get to much into it or derail this thread but there are a number of reasons for this including power play, not as athletic a sport etc.

LOOOL, what?Tell me that was slathered in 6 layers of sarcasm.

I'm a hockey guy first and I didn't take it as a slam. I don't think it's as easy to hide normal skill deterioration in football as it is in hockey. You can reduce a guy's workload in hockey to extend his effectiveness but fewer snaps as a receiver (for instance) doesn't fix "slow".

Thanks, this is exactly it.I am Canadian grew up playing and living hockey. The level of athleticism in other sports as a whole is far greater than hockey. It is not a knock on hockey it is reality. There are tons of wonderful athletes in hockey as well, but not as a whole like the other professional sports.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

in general it's bad mojo when a star player ends up on some team different than the one that he was on in his prime. Hank Aaron on the Brewers. Michael Jordan on the Wizards. Joe Namath on the La Rams. Johnny Unitas on the Chargers. Hakeem the Dream on the Toronto Raptors.

I was at Emmitt Smith's last game when he broke his leg in Sun Devil Stadium against the NYJ. Someone in the crowd stood up and yelled "that's what you get for coming to Arizona"

I'm sorry Cec and all the other Broncos fans out there. just no way this is gonna work out.

So you're saying that players arent as good after their prime? Isnt that just understood?I'm not expecting Manning to be MVP Manning but I see no reason why he cant be top 5 this year

I won't speak for Matt, but he's doesn't seem to be talking about a player just over the hump of his career. But of a series of players in many sports that had precipitous declines. No illusion is being made for him being "top 5" as some sort of consolation to being past his prime.

 

[Statcruncher]

He missed a year of football.

He's had multiple surgeries.

He admittedly doesn't have the same velocity.

He is playing with all new teammates.

To be honest the one that scares me the most is the last one. How many years of day-in day-out practices did Manning and his receivers hone their incredible ability to collectively read defenses, make the correct hot reads, and find an opening for a pass completion? For only the second time in Manning's NFL career he's starting from scratch with his WR's. Plus he's physically in the worst shape of his NFL career. I'm not saying I wouldn't draft him, but there is no way I'd take him as a #1 and I'd feel queasy about having him as my #2.

 

[Late225]

36 year old says he's not as strong as when he was 22?

 

[wingm@n]

If Manning is healthy enough to be on the field and toss the rock the entire season, I'm not betting against the guy. Too much football IQ.

 

[bagger]

i am going to need some additional examples of hockey players to assess mannings ability to play qb.

 

[Dimenna]

36 year old says he's not as strong as when he was 22?

Hahahahaha. So true.

 

[vesihiisi]

Devil's Advocate POV: Why would Peyton telegraph to the rest of the NFL that they won't need to worry about him throwing deep this year. Smokescreen.

Devil's Antagonist POV: Peyton would telegraph to the rest of the NFL that they SHOULD worry about him throwing deep this year. Double smokescreen.

 

[Clifford]

Triple smokescreen: he knows the rest of the league knows how smart he is, so he is saying his arm is sucking to hide the fact that it is actually sucking.

Dude is a GENIUS!!!!

 

[baconisgood]

Triple smokescreen: he knows the rest of the league knows how smart he is, so he is saying his arm is sucking to hide the fact that it is actually sucking.Dude is a GENIUS!!!!

Quadruple smokescreen: He knows the rest of the league knows he would never say anything like this, so now they think "This isn't Peyton Manning, its an imposter" and don't even bother preparing for the Broncos.

 

[rascal]

This may end up being a train wreck for Elway.Imagine how fans will feel in Denver if Manning has a poor season which in turn leads to the Broncos having a bad year.To add to that, what if Tebow ends up playing a big part of success in NY with the Jets.Elway has invested a lot of money in an aging qb coming off 3 neck surgeries and a season off. Manning has now publicly said his arm strength is not what it once was. The Broncos have a very tough schedule this year and as big a fan I am of Manning, this could end up going south in a hurry for Elway and the Broncos.

I think most fans accepted the risk of bringing him in. Even if manning gets hurt on the first play in the first game Bronco fans wouldn't turn on Elway.

 

[theplayer11]

what's the point of saying lots of Td's on the arm?..We get the point, lots of throws, lots of yardage...but to throw in Td's makes him sound like a jerk.

 

[Statcruncher]

This may end up being a train wreck for Elway.Imagine how fans will feel in Denver if Manning has a poor season which in turn leads to the Broncos having a bad year.To add to that, what if Tebow ends up playing a big part of success in NY with the Jets.Elway has invested a lot of money in an aging qb coming off 3 neck surgeries and a season off. Manning has now publicly said his arm strength is not what it once was. The Broncos have a very tough schedule this year and as big a fan I am of Manning, this could end up going south in a hurry for Elway and the Broncos.

I think most fans accepted the risk of bringing him in. Even if manning gets hurt on the first play in the first game Bronco fans wouldn't turn on Elway.

Manning getting hurt or making deep playoff runs might be the only way Bronco fans won't turn on Elway. If I'm a Bronco fan I'm already ticked off by the way the team fumbled away Cutler. They topped that off by wasting 3 years with the Orton/Tebow experience. When they do finally admit their mistake and cut bait they roll the dice on a guy who's 36, coming off of surgery, and been out of the NFL for a year. At 5 years for 96 million that's a bold statement that says "we're all in". Elway better hope they go to the AFC championship game or Manning gets hurt (other than his neck) because if Manning's neck gives out or he produces a couple of mediocre years and quietly fades into retirement it's entirely on Elway. The Cutler saga isn't on Elway, but the Manning one completely is.

 

[Clifford]

what's the point of saying lots of Td's on the arm?..We get the point, lots of throws, lots of yardage...but to throw in Td's makes him sound like a jerk.

TDs weigh .1 ounce more to throw. #sportscience

 

[Mile High]

This may end up being a train wreck for Elway.Imagine how fans will feel in Denver if Manning has a poor season which in turn leads to the Broncos having a bad year.To add to that, what if Tebow ends up playing a big part of success in NY with the Jets.Elway has invested a lot of money in an aging qb coming off 3 neck surgeries and a season off. Manning has now publicly said his arm strength is not what it once was. The Broncos have a very tough schedule this year and as big a fan I am of Manning, this could end up going south in a hurry for Elway and the Broncos.

I think most fans accepted the risk of bringing him in. Even if manning gets hurt on the first play in the first game Bronco fans wouldn't turn on Elway.

Manning getting hurt or making deep playoff runs might be the only way Bronco fans won't turn on Elway. If I'm a Bronco fan I'm already ticked off by the way the team fumbled away Cutler. They topped that off by wasting 3 years with the Orton/Tebow experience. When they do finally admit their mistake and cut bait they roll the dice on a guy who's 36, coming off of surgery, and been out of the NFL for a year. At 5 years for 96 million that's a bold statement that says "we're all in". Elway better hope they go to the AFC championship game or Manning gets hurt (other than his neck) because if Manning's neck gives out or he produces a couple of mediocre years and quietly fades into retirement it's entirely on Elway. The Cutler saga isn't on Elway, but the Manning one completely is.

Lot's of Bronco fans didn't think to much of Cutler. Sure Manning might get hurt but do most really believe Tebow isn't an injury waiting to happen?

 

[s&m]

It is obvious why Manning signed in Denver, the elevation and light air will allow the thrown football to travel an average of an additional 10% to 15% further, that will coincide perfectly with the 10% to 15% loss in Manning's arm strength. Win/Win, except when he plays at sea level. Then Denver runs, a lot.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

To me it sounded like it was an old pro playing possum.

If he's making the throws and playing well in practice, he'll be fine.

Some people will be asking themselves what they were thinking when comparing Tebow and Manning and wondering if the QB play will take a step backwards.

I plan on drafting Manning and won't hesitate to draft either Decker or Thomas and like Tamme as a later round TE if you don't get a stud.