INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Peyton Manning embraces all those titles he’s had over the years.
No. 1 draft pick, franchise quarterback, record-setter, MVP, perennial Pro Bowler and, naturally, Super Bowl champion. He’s lived up to all of them, but the only one that ever really mattered to Manning was being called a winner.
Now, after 11 NFL seasons, Manning is within striking distance of becoming the biggest winner among quarterbacks in Colts history. A win over Jacksonville in Sunday’s season-opener would tie John Unitas’ franchise record for career victories (118).
“That’s something that so many people contributed to, and I’m proud to have been a part of that,” Manning said Wednesday. “The goal has always been to win, and that’s what Unitas was, a winner.”
Many believe Manning’s final numbers will wind up being the gold standard by which future generations of quarterbacks are measured – much like Unitas, Fran Tarkenton, Dan Marino before him. And Brett Favre more recently.
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He won a record-tying third MVP last season despite coming back from two surgeries for an infected bursa sac in his left knee. He ranks fourth on the NFL’s career list for touchdown passes (333), is seventh in yards passing (45,628) and has shown no signs of slowing down.
He has broken Unitas’ Colts records for attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns – in 30 fewer games than it took Unitas – and Manning broke Dan Marino’s single-season record for TD passes with 49 in 2005. Tom Brady has since shattered that.
And Manning has even been a key part of the record-setting accomplishments of others. He and Marvin Harrison combined for more completions, yards and TDs than any passing duo in league history, and it was Manning-to-Harrison that produced a league record 143-catch season in 2002.
But it’s the other numbers that reflect Manning’s true value.
Manning’s nine double-digit victory seasons are tied for most in league history with Favre. His 117 career regular-season wins work out to a remarkable 10.7 per season, and as Manning started 176 consecutive regular-season games for the Colts, the other 31 NFL franchises combined for 292 quarterback changes.
It’s impressive, even to the veterans.
e weight room, on the field and in meetings, and he pulls everybody along with him. This franchise is extremely lucky to have him.”
The Colts and Manning have never relied on luck, though.
Manning still recounts the story of a predraft meeting he had with team president Bill Polian in 1998. Manning told Polian that if he wasn’t the top pick, he would spend the next decade beating the Colts. Polian eventually decided to take Manning over Ryan Leaf, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Those who know Manning best understand the success is no fluke.
He grew up in New Orleans, the son of an NFL quarterback who many consider one of the best in the 1970s, and learned what it took to play and excel in the NFL – lessons he still carries with him.
“He prepares the exact same way every year,” new coach Jim Caldwell said. “You can literally set your watch with his routine.”
Manning, now 33, is playing as well as ever.
Despite the sluggish start in 2008, he still completed nearly 67 percent of his passes, topped 4,000 yards and threw 27 TDs with only 12 interceptions. In his two longest preseason appearances, he looked especially efficient even though he was working with new receivers and a new left tackle, Charlie Johnson.
rackett said. “That’s why you see him become successful. I can’t tell a lot of difference between practice and games because he’s always playing at the same level.”
To Manning, there could be no greater compliment – and no greater measure of a quarterback’s achievements than wins.
No, he doesn’t have multiple Super Bowl crowns like Brady or Joe Montana, but he does have one more ring than Marino and Tarkenton.
And by Week 2, he could hold the title of greatest winner in Colts history.
“I don’t ever take for granted being able to start every game,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of help in terms of protection and guys making plays. I’ve just tried to be there every week for my team, and that’s what I’m going to continue to do.”
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