It gets him invited to the discussion.

It puts him right smack in the middle of it.

Marino didn't win the big one...and he is certainly one of the best ever....

 

 

 

The Colts will get it done and Peyton will forever be linked to the hardest answered question in pro football.

 

I think the one glaring difference in the two is that Peyton has been surrounded by superior talent for much of his career...and that includes a very good defense last year, while Marino never really was that I'm aware of. I could be wrong. I know Marion had some good receivers, but he never had a running back like Edge, and the Dolphins never had a great defense either...did they?

The thing about Elway is that when he took Denver to 3 Super Bowls, to say he didn't have the greatest supporting cast would be an understatement. Then, when he finally was surrounded by elite talent, he won two in a row, even when he was past his prime. And the Broncos were dominant. The second Super Bowl wasn't even a question of if, but how bad would they beat the NFC rep.

 

Denver was a huge underdog coming into their first Superbowl win. With the exception of TD, I am not sure how great the overall talent compared to previous Bronco teams in the Superbowls; their second title run you could claim they were a dominating team.

I think the one glaring difference in the two is that Peyton has been surrounded by superior talent for much of his career...and that includes a very good defense last year, while Marino never really was that I'm aware of. I could be wrong. I know Marion had some good receivers, but he never had a running back like Edge, and the Dolphins never had a great defense either...did they?

I have never bought that Indy's defense was very good last season. There numbers were somewhat inflated by playing in their division (Tennessee, Houston, Jacksonville which had terrible offenses), and going against the NFC West (Seattle scored plenty but it was at the end of the season). Still probably the best Manning has had, but at the best I would say the 15-20th best.

I have never bought that Indy's defense was very good last season. There numbers were somewhat inflated by playing in their division (Tennessee, Houston, Jacksonville which had terrible offenses), and going against the NFC West (Seattle scored plenty but it was at the end of the season). Still probably the best Manning has had, but at the best I would say the 15-20th best.

 

It was good enough if Peyton and company could get the job done.

 

Peyton Manning doesn't get it done when the stakes get higher...

 

2002 Playoffs - They lose 41-0 to the Jets.

2003 Playoffs - They lose 24-14 to New England.

2004 Playoffs - They lose 20-3 to New England.

2005 Playoffs - The lose 21-18 to Pittsburgh.

2006 Playoffs - Who will it be this year?

 

The problem I have is that everyone blames the defense for every playoff loss, and that is not always the case, IMO. Sure, they gave up 41 in '02, but the offense didn't even score. There is no excuse for that offense to be shut out. Then they struggle to reach 14 points in '03. In '04, the media and everyone else was quick to blame the Colts defense for the loss, but 3 points? The score was 6-3 at halftime. The simple fact is they are an offensive team, so he has to produce more than that. And then last year they put up 18 points. From what I've witnessed, the offense is at least equally responsible for their playoff losses, and I would say even more responsible.

 

In the last 4 playoff losses, the Colts have averaged 8.75 points per game...:scared:

 

That says quite a bit, if you ask me.

I believe they have turned that corner...they have made the intangible moves to get their team ready.

It was good enough if Peyton and company could get the job done.

 

Peyton Manning doesn't get it done when the stakes get higher...

 

2002 Playoffs - They lose 41-0 to the Jets.

2003 Playoffs - They lose 24-14 to New England.

2004 Playoffs - They lose 20-3 to New England.

2005 Playoffs - The lose 21-18 to Pittsburgh.

2006 Playoffs - Who will it be this year?

 

The problem I have is that everyone blames the defense for every playoff loss, and that is not always the case, IMO. Sure, they gave up 41 in '02, but the offense didn't even score. There is no excuse for that offense to be shut out. Then they struggle to reach 14 points in '03. In '04, the media and everyone else was quick to blame the Colts defense for the loss, but 3 points? The score was 6-3 at halftime. The simple fact is they are an offensive team, so he has to produce more than that. And then last year they put up 18 points. From what I've witnessed, the offense is at least equally responsible for their playoff losses, and I would say even more responsible.

 

In the last 4 playoff losses, the Colts have averaged 8.75 points per game...:scared:

 

That says quite a bit, if you ask me.

Fair or unfair, I attribute a lot of their troubles in last year's playoffs to all the off-field incidents at the end of the year.

It was good enough if Peyton and company could get the job done.

 

Peyton Manning doesn't get it done when the stakes get higher...

 

2002 Playoffs - They lose 41-0 to the Jets.

2003 Playoffs - They lose 24-14 to New England.

2004 Playoffs - They lose 20-3 to New England.

2005 Playoffs - The lose 21-18 to Pittsburgh.

2006 Playoffs - Who will it be this year?

 

The problem I have is that everyone blames the defense for every playoff loss, and that is not always the case, IMO. Sure, they gave up 41 in '02, but the offense didn't even score. There is no excuse for that offense to be shut out. Then they struggle to reach 14 points in '03. In '04, the media and everyone else was quick to blame the Colts defense for the loss, but 3 points? The score was 6-3 at halftime. The simple fact is they are an offensive team, so he has to produce more than that. And then last year they put up 18 points. From what I've witnessed, the offense is at least equally responsible for their playoff losses, and I would say even more responsible.

 

In the last 4 playoff losses, the Colts have averaged 8.75 points per game...:scared:

 

That says quite a bit, if you ask me.

 

:thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

 

Bottom line: Playoff teams that advance make adjustments to their offense and defense to keep the opposition guessing. Plus, individual players on teams that advance elevate their games in the playoffs. The Colts have repeatedly shown they don't think they need to make the adjustments or elevate their games, and that's why they lose.