In a far less arrogant and self-fulfilling manner than LeBron James, Peyton Manning is taking his talents to the Rocky Mountains.
The former Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback finalized his five-year, $96 million deal yesterday to become the newest starting signal caller for the Denver Broncos.
That’s a lot of money for a lot of uncertainty.
Just in case you’ve been living under a rock for the past year, Manning missed the entire 2011 NFL season with a neck injury.
He’s been officially cleared by doctors to resume football activities. But that still doesn’t convince me he will return to the Peyton Manning who once set the NFL record for touchdowns in a season.
Andrew Brandt of the National Football Post reported that Manning will make $18 million for the 2012 season. If he passes a physical in March 2013, he’ll be guaranteed $40 million in 2013 and 2014.
Mind blown.
Although I can’t blame Manning for taking such a gargantuan offer, what was Denver thinking?
After the Broncos’ front office finally got its chance to see the prodigal son Tim Tebow lead his team to the playoffs in his first year as the full-time starter, it’s shocking they would make such a bold move.
Let’s think about these tortured Broncos fans. What are they going to do with their Tebow jerseys? Tape over the five with duct tape and draw an eight over it?
After all, the 15 that Tebow donned last season ranked No. 2 in NFL jersey sales. It’s crazy to think that Tebow has gone from the savior of the Broncos to trade bait in the blink of an eye.
There’s no doubt the national media will be all over Denver from this point forward. However, if Manning fails to live up to his lofty expectations, the Broncos’ brass will hear it from the Denver faithful.
While the issue of wavering fan support is one of the reasons Manning is a risky sign for Denver, his play on the field is what I’m most concerned about.
In today’s NFL, with late and unnecessary hits at a premium, I feel like it’s only a matter of time before he goes down. Hard. Linebackers like Ray Lewis and James Harrison aren’t going to feel any sympathy for Manning when he sets foot on the field in 2012. In fact, I think more big hitters around the league will be neck-hunting him.
The question still remains: Will Peyton still be an elite quarterback?
I vote no.
Manning was made such a top priority because of one man – Denver’s vice president of football operations and former Bronco John Elway.
Manning turns 36 on Saturday, meaning in the final year of his contract he will be 40.
Elway has blinders on. He’s convinced that, much like himself, Manning can deliver two Super Bowl titles at the ages of 37 and 38.
That won’t happen.
Manning and Elway are two completely different quarterbacks. Elway was able to use his feet to create plays while Manning is the prototypical pocket-passer.
Elway had future Hall-of-Famers offensive lineman Gary Zimmerman and tight end Shannon Sharpe. He also had running back Terrell Davis in the backfield, MVP of Super Bowl XXXII .
The current Broncos’ roster is a far cry from the talent level seen of the Super Bowl victors of 1998 and 1999.
Denver has to start building to win a championship this year. There’s no guarantee Manning will still be playing in 2013 – if he can complete the entire 2012 season.
Peyton is determined to prove he still has some gas left in the tank.
I just don’t think his neck will hold up long enough for the world to see that.
Micah Bedard is a 21-year-old senior from Houma. Follow him on Twitter @DardDog.
 
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