Peyton's Perfection: The Way He Revolutionized His Position

As I watched Peyton Manning rally the Colts back from a 17-0 deficit, I realized how good Peyton is. As he started a fourth quarter drive, he made a gameplan change that most other quarterbacks couldn't do. He switched perfectly into no-huddle to confuse the Texans defense.

If the Texans D couldn't line up in time, he would snap the ball quickly catching them off-guard. If he recognized that they were lined up, he would switch to a play that would better attack the base defense they had switched into.

Reread that last sentence, and let it sink it. 

I can't remember a quarterback that has this type of control over his offense. I know that some quarterbacks are given 3 plays each down, and given the freedom to choose the best option for their team. Peyton Manning just goes off what he knows, and what his coaches have taught him about the offense to attack a defense. This is only way that Peyton separates himself from Tom Brady, and Drew Brees as the best quarterback in the NFL. 

Another is the calming effect he has on everyone around him. 

In hurry-up situations, you regularly see NFL players running around like "chickens with their heads cut off".(As an Eagles fan, I see this almost every week. Thank you Andy Reid.)

This is not such the case in Indy. 

Everyone knows to look to Manning for direction, and it makes them look almost unbeatable. This all starts with Manning. He makes this team run like a well-oiled machine. He takes all responsibility on himself, and always puts his team in a position to win. 

Peyton has redefined the position of quarterback. Before Peyton, the quarterback got the plays in from the coach, and directed everyone where to go. Very rarely would they audible to another play. Now, quarterbacks direct the whole offense. Like I said before, usually the coach gives the quarterback 2 or 3 plays to run at his best judgement.

This all started with the success that occurred when Tony Dungy attempted this system with Manning. I don't know if it was actually in play before(I expect it was), but without Peyton Manning's success, I don't think the position of quarterback would have evolved this far. 

Back when Brett Farve was a up—and—coming star, interceptions were an expected part of the game. My dad always questioned throwing the ball saying "Three things that happen during a pass play are bad". In the NFL today, interceptions are no longer an excepted fact. Teams expect to throw the ball without turning the ball over for the whole game. 

I'm not saying that this all happened because Peyton Manning put a helmet on( that would be utterly absurd.), but Manning's play over the last few years has set the bar very high for the next wave of young quarterbacks.

Peyton isn't the only person to elevate the the role of the quarterback( you also have Brady, and Brees), but he is the best at his craft. Unless you are a fan of any other AFC South or a Pats fan, you can not help, but love Peyton. He is just so fluid, and mechanically perfect. Watching the Colts play, reminds me of why I love the game of football. 

Since Brady went down with his knee injury, Manning has become the face of the NFL. During these days, when an off the field incident is in the news at least once a week, Manning has helped restore some of the luster the NFL had lost during the Vick—Pacman years. Brady, and Brees would have been able to this if called on, but they weren't. 

As a fan of the NFL, you have to love to watch Peyton play because of the way in which he commands his team to victory almost every week. At the age of 33, he only has a few glory years left. So if you haven't sat and watched a whole Colts game, I suggest you do so because after Peyton's highlights are gone to their final resting place in Canton, OH, we may not see anybody like him ever again.

Thanks for reading guys.