I would rank Steve Young right up there with the most mobile QB's who have ever played the game. He had many incredible runs. He scored 43 rushing TD's in his career and avg around 6 yds per carry.
I think Manning has a terrible problem in big games. The only reason he has a ring is because they played a team with one of the worst QB's to ever make it to a super bowl. That added to the Seattle "D" coming out and smashing them in the mouth right out of the gate put Denver in its place.
I agree too. The look on Mannings face from the first snap when the ball was sailing behind him never changed from that point. He looked like a deer caught in headlights from second one. His demeanor was different than I've ever seen it. And I think the players pick up on that. If you're chief cool, calm and collected is a wreck, it transfers through the whole sideline IMO. Almost like he wanted to go hide or hurry up and get it over because he was clueless.
Manning completed 69% of his passes in the game. Normally his receivers turn shorter passes into longer gains with yards after the catch. But Seattle's speed and sure tackling would not allow that to happen. The deer in the headlights look? It was because he had no idea how to consistently move the ball against such a fast defense. You can't blame an entire game on a ball being snapped over his head on the first play. Manning has come back from much worse situations In playoff games before...just not versus a defense that good.
This game won't change much. Owners and GMs will say they want a great defense, but they will draft a offensive player. Offense sells tickets. Any QB will be a priority like it has been for some time now. A big arm will continue to be preferred over anything. I can see teams trying to draft big corners though. I've noticed for a few years now that the corners are getting too small for the increase of big receivers in the league.
It wasn't just the first snap. His whole body language was different. He looked confused and had happy feet the second he got the snap on just about every down. Yes give most of the credit to the Hawks defense. He did however make poor decisions and throws. He was even sitting on the sideline with his helmet on and shoulders slumped not talking to anyone, which is unusual. I think he was caught off guard and was not prepared for what was hitting him and knew there wasn't an answer.
I think even Manning may have started believing all the hype. The general public was under the impression that he was going to shut up Richard Sherman and ride off into the sunset with the greatest offense of all time. After that first snap, the world came crashing down. Ive watched football since 1995, understood it for the most part since about 2000, and ive never seen anything like that. Even the undefeated Patriots team scored twice and had a shot to win it at the end against a pretty good Giants D. This Broncos team never had a shot starting with the opening kickoff. NOT ONE PRAYER. And for the Super Bowl, thats impressive. This wasnt the 2000 Ravens beating up on a mediocre Kerry Collins team either...it was Peyton Manning and a handful of All Pros getting whooped in front of the biggest audience to ever watch a game. Yikes.
Oh I agree 100% Manning didn't look right. I believe he was intimidated by the Seahawk defense along with the rest of the offense. He hadn't faced one even remotely that good all season or probably even in recent years.
As an interesting side note; both Pete Carroll and John Fox spent time as assistant coaches at Iowa State.
Do people honestly believe this? If they were to rig the most highly watched and scrutinized game in all of sports, wouldn't they at least make it closer than 43-8? Lol
It sounded like my post put it all on Manning, but I didn't mean that. Thomas got creamed on a short crossing rout right out of the gate. I believe Welker did too. Seattle put on a clinic on how to tackle, the lost art in the NFL. Then Seattle moved the ball better than I thought they would in the first half.
