Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady: The Big Picture



       The rivalry between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, has already been established in National Football League history as one of the greatest ever between two quarterbacks. Since the first meeting between the two September 30, 2001, the duo has played against each other fourteen times including the playoffs, with Sunday, January 19, 2014, being the fifteenth time.

        When the two have played each other it has been relatively a wash from a statistical stand point, Manning has thrown for more touchdowns 29, versus 26 for Brady, Manning has thrown more interceptions, 20 while Brady has thrown 12. Completion percentage is 67 percent for Brady and 61.8 percent for Manning. Brady holds the edge in the statistic that matters the most with 10 wins compared to 4, for Manning.

       When referring specially to the Manning versus Brady head to head rivalry there is a legitimate argument as to who has been the better starting quarterback between the two. All too many times the question is brought up in regards to who has had the better career and that isn't a contest, Manning virtually owns every single season QB record there is. In 2004 Peyton Manning broke the NFL record for passing touchdowns in a single season with 49, three years later Tom Brady broke Manning's record, throwing for 50 touchdowns during the 2007 season, fast forward to the 2013 NFL season when Manning at age 37 reclaimed his record throwing for 55 touchdowns. Food for thought: When Brady broke Manning's record during the 2007 season he threw 81 more passes and passed for 249 more yards than Manning had during the 2004 season, but Manning had a higher passer rating at 121.1 in 2004 compared to 117.2 for Brady in 2007.

      Manning and Brady have both missed entire seasons for all intents and purposes. Manning missed the entire 2011 season due to neck surgery, the Indianapolis Colts had a 2-14 record which consequently led to the firing of head coach Jim Cadwell, who the previous season reached the Super Bowl in his first season as the Colts head coach. Tom Brady missed the entire 2008 season aside from the first quarter of the first game of the year, in addition to Brady the Patriots lost Rodney Harrison, Adalius Thomas and Laurence Maroney to injury, all of whom were key contributors to that team. With Matt Cassel starting quarterback, the Patriots finished the 2008 season with a 11-5 record. The Colts were doomed without Manning while the Patriots carried on with business as usual with Cassel at the helm.

      Peyton Manning will attempt to etch his name in the record books once again with a win versus Brady and the Patriots, attempting to becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to reach the Super Bowl with two different franchises and three different head coaches. With all due respect to Tony Dungy, Jim Cadwell and John Fox, none of them are probably on the same level as future hall of fame coach Bill Belichick.

      Manning had the fortune to play with all-pros such as Robert Mathis, Dwight Freeney and former NFL Defensive Player of Year Bob Sanders, whenever Sanders was healthy. The Indianapolis Colts defenses that Manning played with for 14 seasons were rarely filled with an abundance of dominate playmakers and game changers. Some of the defensive players from the Belichick-Brady era, include Asante Samuel, Lawyer Milloy, Willie McGinest, Richard Seymour, Mike Vrable, Vince Wilfork, Rodney Harrison, Ty Law and Teddy Bruschi just to name a few. Brady has had the advantage of having more "complete" teams throughout his career. Food for thought: During the 2001 playoffs which ended with the Patriots winning the first of their three Super Bowl titles, Tom Brady threw one TD pass in three playoff games.

      Tom Brady is an amazing quarterback and one of the best players the game of football has ever seen, his composure in the pocket, the way he handles the media, the kind of leader he is, the fact that he has been coachable throughout his career and his willingness to adjust his game to whatever his teams needs are only some of the things that make him a future NFL Hall of Famer. When comparing Manning and Brady you have to look at the big picture, this rivalry isn't just Manning vs. Brady, it is Peyton Manning vs. The New England Patriots.

Lawren Hightower can be reached at

hightower611@gmail.com

 

Grading the Top Receiver Prospects in the 2014 NFL Draft

Grading the Top Receiver Prospects in the 2014 NFL Draft

     When initially looking at the receivers entering the 2014 NFL draft there is no shortage of potential among them. However there is a Big 3 that sets themselves apart from the rest.
     Sammy Watkins, the Clemson University Junior who is forgoing his senior year of eligibility to test the waters of the NFL. The sure handed Watkins looks like the most NFL ready receiver in this years draft class, Watkins has good size at 6'1 205, attacks the ball at its highest point, and runs a 4.47 in the 40 yard dash. Watkins had his best season in 2013 with 101 receptions for 1,464 and 12 touchdowns. In the last game of his NCAA career Watkins caught 16 passes for 221 yards and 2 touchdowns.
      Mike Evans, Texas A&M University. At 6'5 225, Evans is one of the biggest receivers in this years draft. The redshirt sophomore Evans has chose to forgo his Junior and Senior seasons at A&M after compiling 151 receptions, 2,499 yards and 17 touchdowns in two seasons. Evans has a basketball background which assist in his ability to out jump defenders to make spectacular catches, although being 6'5 doesn't hurt either, and the ability to stretch the field vertically running a 4.5 40 yard dash. Evans stepped up to play his most productive games against the best competition this season accumulating 18 catches for 566 yards and 5 touchdowns combined against Auburn and Alabama. Evans has also received praise for being a good blocker from his receiver position during his two years at A&M.
       Marqise Lee, junior from the University of Southern California is 6'0 195. As a sophomore in 2012, Lee took the nation by storm accumulating 118 catches, 1,721 and 14 touchdowns playing alongside future NFL player Robert Woods. As a junior in 2013 Lee saw his numbers decline in a season marred by injuries, a mid season coaching change and rotating quarterbacks to began the season. With the speed Lee possesses, 4.37 40 yard dash, he has potential game breaker ability at the NFL level. Lee has the ability to go up and catch the ball over the defender, but his biggest asset is the ability to score whenever he touches the ball. A natural athlete Lee is a former NCAA long jump champion.
       When grading these receivers there isn't much that separates them from one another. Evans is the big receiver who will be a mismatch for NFL defensive backs because of his size. Watkins is the most complete receiver of the bunch, he has the ability to come in right away and contribute to an NFL team in need of a play maker at wide receiver. Lee will keep the defense on its toes whenever he is on the field, he has two career receptions of 80 yards or longer, a testimony to his big play ability.
     With teams at the top of the draft such as the St. Louis Rams, Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets needing receivers, I don't see any of these players making it out of the first round without hearing their names called.