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Peyton Manning—Best Ever?

Colts' QB has chance to add to his legend tonight

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 7, 2010 1:12 PM CST

(Newser) – The Indianapolis Colts ride into tonight's Super Bowl as 5-point favorites, and star QB Peyton Manning is no small reason why. His stats romp all over Tom Brady (minus Brady's three SB rings), he's the brainiest player in an era of complex defenses, and his owner has promised him the richest contract in NFL history. But as Indy guns for its second title in Manning's 12 seasons, the New York Times wonders: Certainly Manning is the dominant player of his generation, but is he the best ever?

Manning studies the game as obsessively as he stomps his feet, and one teammate estimates he changes the play at the line of scrimmage 95% of the time. A Texans defenseman tells of locking eyes with Manning—who nodded knowingly as if he had just read their defense—just before the QB upended a commanding Texas lead. “He was sizing us up,” the player says. “I had that feeling right then that he was locked in and that might be it.”

Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning, left, talks with offensive coordinator Tom Moore, right, during football practice, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 in Davie, Fla.
Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning, left, talks with offensive coordinator Tom Moore, right, during football practice, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 in Davie, Fla.   (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning answers questions, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning answers questions, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.   (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (18) holds the Lamar Hunt Trophy after the Colts' 30-17 win over the New York Jets in the AFC Championship Sunday, Jan 24, 2010.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (18) holds the Lamar Hunt Trophy after the Colts' 30-17 win over the New York Jets in the AFC Championship Sunday, Jan 24, 2010.   (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning passes in the first quarter during the NFL divisional football playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010 in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning passes in the first quarter during the NFL divisional football playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010 in Indianapolis.   (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 17 comments
plstyle
Feb 8, 2010 5:26 AM CST
Brady?? when ever it has depended on him the last 6 games, hes self destructed. Brady?? give me a fucken break. Brady? yeah right. At least put Warren Moon, Jim Kelly, Steve Young on that list; give me a fucken break with Brady.
plstyle
Feb 8, 2010 5:20 AM CST
Not Brady thats for sure
Kant
Feb 8, 2010 4:58 AM CST
I guess, the real questions is, if you could only pick one of these guys to be your franchise quarterback (in their prime), who would you pick? That's the greatest ever.

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