The only reason I can think you would ask this question Joe is because you might think Palmer still has quite a bit of improving to do and maybe he'll be better sometime than Peyton. I don't see it that way. Palmer might have one advantage later in his career as opposed to Peyton in that he has some mobility that might make him still dangerous, like an Elway. But I don't think Palmer's that good athletically. A couple of other points1) how can anyone have any better season than what Peyton had last year? That is a level of mastery that will have been done only a few times in history until the year 2079 when they outlaw the game of football, when our world has become so advanced that the brutality of football is seen as something that devalues human life, when "clones" are born and bred to play football for our amusement. Really, how much better can you get than Manning? Well, it would be nice if he could run like Mike Vick but each year he pretty much leads the league in fewest sacks taken because of his mental acumen and command of the position. Tarik Glenn is a nice player but I don't see a super dominant O line in front of him. Really, no HOFers, so I think you have to give Manning a lot of credit on that. And, I'd take my chances that Manning can throw the ball 65 yards faster than Mike can run it.2) Leadership. This guy is the perfect field general. Knows everything there is about football and how to run a team. And he keeps getting better at it and improving. How about, yeah, I threw 49 TD passes, but in watching film, I saw where we/I botched 12 other TD passes, I need to get better, I can get better. His preparation rivals someone like Jerry Rice. Palmer is pretty bright I guess but you're talking about two different leagues here. Peyton is the Offensive Coordinator on the team really, if you want to say that. I bet he could sit down and formulate an offensive gameplan the week before a game as well as any O Coordinator in the league. Palmer? Didn't they videotape him in practices and show him clips after he had made bad plays to show him his body language and how bad it was? I think Palmer is a great guy and a great QB, that he's gotten near as many votes in this survey, while to me is shocking, is understandable, but I don't think he's the type of guy who becomes Rear Admiral or inspires a lot of people. The thing about Peyton is, HE'S ALWAYS PLAYING THE GAME, HE NEVER STOPS, YOU HAVE TO KEEP GOING AND PLAY YOUR BEST JUST TO KEEP UP WITH HIM. HE MAKES EVERYONE AROUND HIM BETTER. (Except the fantasy stats of Edge James, he drives guys who own Edge crazy because Peyton is always looking for the perfect play, the perfect way to run each play, the best way to attack a defense, heck, he gets 3 plays sent in to him and he decides at the line of scrimmage which to run

.... I hear guys watching Colts games screaming at Peyton to JUST hand it off to Edge at the goal.... NO, don't change the play Peyton! He knows to the square inch where he is going when he throws the football, he wants to perfect every throw, his mechanics are impeccable.... speaking of Edge though, look how Manning goes at it when he hands it off to Edge..... the stretch play..... how many times do you hear announcers talk about how it works, they show replays of the handoff! No other QB in the league even gets a mention about their "handoff form" ----- and, who has the best play action fake in football?)Another thing to consider is Mannings durability. Never missed a game. Hard to when you rarely get hit. Why doesn't he get hit? See above. He's going to be in pretty good physical condition by the time he gets old because he's a great QB. And what's scary? He's going to be smarter

man! I see a very high floor for Mannings salad years in the NFL. He could play till Flutie age and still be good.Lastly, a very good point was brought up which addressed your question very well Joe. The poster mentioned his cap figure. The Colts ARE the favorite to win the Super Bowl. They'd be my pick and 95% of the countries. After the season though, they've got Reggie and Edge to resign. Peyton's the biggest moneybags in the NFL. That is difficult. I'm not sure, but that pretty good RE I think will need a new contract too (check that). They'd also like to continue building that defense. Peyton is the ultimate team guy as a player, but we'll see a dilemma in 2006 for the Colts. When the Colts have to negotiate contracts this offseason, which guy are they going to get, Peyton the player? Or Peyton the businessman? I guess Eli has already made a VERY big businessman move, what about big brother?I'm thinking we'll see Peyton the player. But to what extent? Enough to keep 1 or two guys? Or a contract like Tom Brady's, the guy who's got the rings and the prestige in another ongoing barroom comparison and debate, one which a team can build around, instead of in spite of? In that very question lies the fate and future legacy of Peyton Manning. Peyton makes everyone around him better because he works at making himself better, but will he sacrifice to have the guys around him that'll make hm better? Well Peyton, how good do you want to be?