You don’t make Monet paint dogs playing poker, Mozart compose radio jingles, Michelangelo sculpt polyresin figurines, Maazel conduct a kazoo band, Mick sing ABBA, Monk play “Chopsticks.”
And you don’t make Manning huddle up, get under center and hand off the football.
Peyton Maestro Manning is an expeditious-moving, defense-analyzing, Omaha-shrieking, shotgun-loading, pass-launching, comeback-leading, game-winning quarterback.
You want a game manager? Get Alex Smith. The Broncos had game managers in Steve DeBerg, Brian Griese and Kyle Orton. The boulevard of broken dreams is littered with game managers.
Manning is not a garden-variety Mannager.
Enough of the new hybrid offense.
Give me that old-time religion.
Emmanuel Sanders agrees. He said on the NFL Network after the Broncos miraculously beat the Kansas City Chiefs: “Honestly, (on) that two-minute drive (to tie), he kind of turned into Peyton Manning. That’s the offense we are used to, that no-huddle offense, slinging the ball around. … It felt good to get back to that. That no-huddle offense is something beautiful. I know I love it, because I don’t have to go back to the huddle. I know Peyton likes it, too.”
Broncoscountry and NFLnation are busting Manning. He’s a has-been, he’s old, he’s tired, he’s scared, he’s got no right arm left, and his legs are shaky.
Those people are court jesters and football fools. Manning remains the smartest, savviest, savoir-faire quarterback. Mind does matter.
Paul McCartney was declared dead because he wore no shoes in the “Abbey Road” album cover photo.
What? They want Brock Osweiler. The Broncos went 6-10 after John Elway retired and never reached the playoffs after Jay Cutler replaced Jake Plummer.
Running the football is fine. How’s that working out with C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman? The Broncos can’t run, and they can’t hide.
With the league’s best defense — and Manning — the Broncos are 2-0 despite one of the worst offensive lines. Evan Mathis has been awful. Matt Paradis has been a sieve at center. Ty Sambrailo has been overmatched at left tackle. Ryan Harris has been mediocre at right tackle, and Louis Vasquez is not performing at a Pro Bowl level. Forget Shelley Smith and Michael Schofield. They were DiNoPs (did not play), and James Ferentz and Max Garcia are not being heard from, either.
Tight ends Owen Daniels and Virgil Green barely have spit a drop. Cody Latimer is inactive even in uniform. And, despite leading the team in catches and yardage, Demaryius Thomas still doesn’t look in shape (and begs off the field on some plays) and made the wrong turn on Manning’s interception in K.C. Jordan Norwood should have made a touchdown reception late.
Only the sensational Sanders seems in sync with Manning.
Yet, last rites (and wrongs) were being declared for Peyton.
Both Baltimore and Kansas City were stacking eight defensive players in the box to blitz Manning because he’s behind a permeable front. He has been sacked seven times in two games. Last year he didn’t suffer seven sacks until seven games in. Peyton can get the pass off quicker than other quarterbacks, but not when he’s retreating from center and from inside and outside attackers. How much is the fullback helping? Not at all.
The Broncos could run from the shotgun, despite what the coaching staff believes. The rushing totals last year were higher in the shotgun and the pistol than the anemic numbers with Peyton at the line this season.
Perhaps quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Greg Knapp — a coaching link to Adam Gase — should call plays. Perhaps Garcia should be inserted at center. Perhaps Mathis and Vasquez should act like all-pros. Perhaps D.T. should earn the $70 million he coveted. Perhaps Alex Gibbs should be rehired as offensive line consultant.
Before, there was a feeling the defense would win a few games. Now, there’s a feeling the defense must win all the games.
If Gary Kubiak stops being stubborn and starts putting Peyton in his proper place — running the no-huddle, hurry-up, shotgun offense full time again — the Broncos can go into the bye week undefeated, and can continue, in the meantime, to try to improve the blocking, catching and running.
Let Manning be Manning.
Woody Paige: woody@woodypaige.com or
