Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning directs the offense at San Diego in 2012 game. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)
It’s incomprehensible to consider that in the weeks leading up to the 1998 NFL Draft, there was serious debate about Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf.
Manning has passed his way into the conversation of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Leaf was sentenced Tuesday to five years in a Texas prison for violating terms of his probation. Leaf will quickly be out on parole because of time served in Montana.
Still, the contrast between Manning and Leaf is startling considering they were once so closely compared. The Indianapolis Colts and general manager Bill Polian smartly made Manning the No. 1 overall pick in 1998. The San Diego Chargers and GM Bobby Beathard regrettably took Leaf at No. 2.
“I know Ryan,” Manning said at his mid-week press conference. “I haven’t talked to him in a little bit but I have kept in touch with him through the years. I am really sorry to hear that. I read that as well and he’s in my thoughts and I wish the best for him.”
