Posted on 01/10/2005 7:57:52 AM PST by agenda_express
By BARRY WILNER AP Football Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Peyton Manning's phenomenal season earned him his second straight Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player Award. He was nearly a unanimous choice.
The Indianapolis Colts' star quarterback, who surpassed Dan Marino and Steve Young with his passing prowess in 2004, earned all but one of 48 votes from a national panel of sports writers and broadcasters who cover pro football. Manning tied with Steve McNair for the award last season, but this time only Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick drew a vote.
Manning joined the likes of Joe Montana, John Unitas, Steve Young and Kurt Warner as quarterbacks with two MVP awards. Brett Favre is the only player to win it three times.
"Individually, I accomplished a lot in a short period of time," Manning said. "But no question, we did not win a Super Bowl in the time I've been here as a quarterback."
Ever the team man, and ever championship-oriented, Manning refuses to concentrate on his statistics. He might have thrown for 49 touchdowns, surpassing Dan Marino's 20-year-old NFL record. And he may have shattered Young's passer rating record with a 121.1 mark. And he might have established other league marks and a bunch more team records.
But to Manning, unless it all culminates in a championship, it's not what he's after.
"Just because you played well in Week 2 or Week 10 doesn't mean anything for the playoffs," Manning said. "Except that you're capable of doing it."
Manning was capable of doing almost anything in leading the Colts to a 12-4 record and the AFC South title. They routed Denver 49-24 in the first round of the playoffs - the MVP voting was held before the postseason - and play at New England on Sunday.
He also turned two of his previously unaccomplished receivers, Reggie Wayne and Brandon Stokley, into threats almost on a par with Manning's favorite target, perennial Pro Bowler Marvin Harrison. All caught at least 10 touchdown passes and went over 1,000 yards in receiving - an unprecedented combination for three teammates.
"Peyton is such a competitor, he has such high expectations to go out and win," Wayne said. "You want to make a play for him and bail him out of tough situations."
Tough situations? Manning tends to make everything look easy.
Sort of like Young and Montana and Unitas and Warner and Favre did. But all of them have that championship along with their MVPs. Manning doesn't.
And it drives him to do even more.
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Can't argue with this choice...
From what I saw of Manning's performance yesterday... Holy cats, but that guy can throw. More importantly, his receivers know how to get open. Most importantly, Manning gets the ball to exactly the right spot, at exactly the time his receivers are open. Unbelievable.
The way Vick was getting hit in the Carolina game a few weeks ago, I'll be amazed if he plays two more years. He is an incredible talent as a runner, but not much of a passer. With his running ability, he forces defenses to change everything. Nobody else like him!
Of course I like Couch because he grew up just a few miles from me in the Hills of Eastern Kentucky. Being a life long Steelers fan, I naturally hate the Browns anyway.
Vick was never accurate even before the West Coast.
Well, it would seem obvious, but Roethlisberger is having a stellar year, and a few others, too. But Peyton is just one heck of a quarterback. He really does stand out. And it hasn't really seemed to go to his head. I have to admit, when I watched him in his 1st and 2nd seasons, I was grudgingly, modestly impressed, but now... He's an intelligent player who doesn't wilt in tough games or situations.
Not true. The Chargers had the No. 2 pick that year. Indianapolis selected Manning with the No. 1 pick.
Congratulations Manning.
How could the Chargers have had him? Peyton was picked number 1, Leaf was 2.
Hey, Mike, glad you made it back safely, bud. Thanks for your service.
Manning is a good QB who is a product of a good system. I mean, 6th round draft pick, rookie Jim Sorgi put up a 99.1 passer rating this year.
The most valuable player to his team this year would have to be Terrell Owens. The Eagles are a completely different team without him.
With Law out the short passes will eat the Pats up.
We'll see. Never underestimate the Pats, no matter who they have out. I can't argue with the choice of Peyton as MVP, but he needs to prove he can win when it really matters. I don't think he's ever gotten over the fact that, for all the hero-worship that he enjoyed at Tennessee, the Vols won the National Championship the year AFTER he graduated.
Could be. You can't pick NFL games anymore. Anything can happen. But as the saying goes you've got to beat the man to be the man. And until the Colts get it done on grass, against the Pats I'm not putting too much stock in his mvp.
Unless Manning outguesses himself and audiblizes his offensive into numerous penalties, blown blocking assignments and blown pass routes...
(And the Colts are scheduled to play the Pats again next year... that's after 4 meetings in 14 months, against a non-division team!)
He really is. And Jim Sorgi really surprised me. I expected low number draft picks to be good, but wow. I have to admit, I don't usually watch the draft though, so it was a big surprise.
'TO' has really come into his own. His previous teams must be missing him this year, he seems to shine with the Eagles and pairs well with Donovan McNabb, who has matured a bit as well. The Eagles do seem lost without him. I happened to catch Terrell on Letterman (just flipping through channels) - he's quite endearing to watch in interviews.
nope there isnt....
I think the passing will come....at least I am not going to close the book on him yet....
I think he will be though.
He needs to be more accurate, but they also said that McNabb would never be accurate either, and he has really improved this year....
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