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Playoff loss leaves Manning almost speechless
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How did his greatest season — arguably greatest, anyway — come to such an abrupt end? How did the 12-4 Colts — who got through four-plus quarters without a turnover — manage to lose to the underachieving 8-8 San Diego Chargers? What happened to that nine-game winning streak, and finally, was this Tony Dungy's final game?
Manning had no answers, nor did he have anything to sell. Rather, what struck you was his peculiar look, somewhere between merely glum and completely stunned. But, hey, what would you expect? Friday they tell you you're the MVP. Saturday you're done.
"Obviously the Chargers did a good job," he said. "They're an excellent team."
Someone asked him about the overtime coin toss.
"Obviously, you want to win the toss so we can go and score," he mumbled.
Obviously, he had no answers. None at all.
In fact, there were a few good reasons that the Chargers beat Colts 23-17 in overtime at Qualcomm Stadium on Saturday night. First, there was Mike Scifres, who pinned the Colts inside their 20-yard-line on each of his six punts. Then, perhaps the cruelest irony of all, was Dungy's defense being called for three penalties in the final drive of what may be the former defensive back's final game as the Indianapolis coach. But the real difference in this game, what Manning lacked — obviously! — was a guy like Darren Sproles.
Sproles had 328 all-purpose yards, the third-most in an NFL playoff game. Unlike Manning, or the guy he replaced, LaDainian Tomlinson, Sproles is not the corporate spokesman-type. He's not fluent or practiced in the interview room. He is charitably listed at 5-6 and had to overcome a stutter. Still, everyone wanted to hear what he had to say, particularly about that last play, his 22-yard dash for the game-winning touchdown. Everybody wanted to know how he saw it.
"When I got the handoff, I saw the end slant in," he said. "Once I saw that, I saw the green grass on the outside."
He saw his opening, his opportunity. "I just went in for the score."
In a larger sense, though, he had seen this moment coming for quite a while, even when others could not. Personnel directors might like running backs with low centers of gravity, but Sproles was just too puny to be much more than a special-teams player. He was a fourth-round pick — pretty impressive for a guy who goes about 180 pounds — but not the kind of guy to anchor an offense.
"All I needed was a chance to do it," he said. "I always knew I could do it."
As it happened, his break was Tomlinson's misfortune. Tomlinson took the first handoff of the game, ran 13 yards, and that was pretty much it for him. He carried four more times for 12 yards before calling it a day. His injury was described as a "strained groin," though not by Tomlinson himself.
"It's a medical issue and that's all I'll say about it. I'm not a doctor and I'm not going to sit up here and act like I am one."
(For the record, Tomlinson who is not a doctor, has no problem shilling for a local hospital).
Tomlinson was asked if the injury he wouldn't specify affected his "burst" or his "cut."
"I can't really tell if it's the burst or the cutting," he said.
OK. Was he told he should have surgery?
"I can't answer that now."
In other words, the playoffs are here, and once again Tomlinson is not. Maybe this is a new Chargers tradition. Perhaps, if the bookmakers knew L.T. would sit most of the game, they'd have made San Diego the favorite. Whatever the case, the day belonged to the undersized understudy, Sproles.
It's worth mentioning that he fumbled in the third quarter. On his way to what might have been another touchdown run, cornerback Tim Jennings stripped the ball from his possession and the Colts recovered.
"I felt really hurt," said Sproles.
It wasn't a physical kind of hurt. But it remained with him going into the overtime. He resolved there was only one way to make up for that fumble. "I wanted that touchdown bad," he said.
Obviously.
Member Comments
cards score first boys yes he broke the plane so live wit it go cards
riprip561/18/2009 12:15:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
everybody know jimmy the greek had it right man did he croak yet or is he still spuewing his truths?
riprip561/18/2009 12:13:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
does antbody think julius ervin magic johnson got the aid bug for real?how he still living??????is he giving it to the ladies hes lovin? or does he have that covered too/
riprip561/18/2009 12:10:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
oldfart55 its his space some like what hes got to say so piss off today and for ever amen
riprip561/18/2009 12:02:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
2008 Regular Season Stats: <br />Manning: 4,002 yrds (7.2 avg), 66.8%, 27 Passing TD's, 12 INT, 14 SCK, 95RTG, 21yrd rush (1.1 avg), 1&done-playoffs<br /><br />Rivers: 4,009 yrds (8.4 avg), 65.3%, 34 Passing TD's, 11INT, 25SCK, 106RTG, 84yrds rush (2.7 avg), 1-0 playoffs (so far).<br /><br />Interesting stats considering Rivers wasn't invited to the Pro Bowl or named MVP. Rivers numbers are even more impressive when you consider he had fewer attempts than Manning (478 v. 555) and the Chargers defense gave up 25 sacks vs. only 14 for Colts. John Madden pointed out that had the vote for the Pro Bowl been done later in the season, Rivers would have got the invite. Let's see how his numbers match up against Rothlisberger and the Steelers top rated D-Fense in the NFL. Go CHAAGRZ!!!
Chaagrz1/8/2009 15:50:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I think the Colts need to change their offensive philosophy. The Colts are the only team in the NFL that doesn't have a fullback on the roster. Manning is great but there are certain times in a game (especially playoff games) when you just have to be able to run the ball and get 1 or 2 yards. Peyton cannot do that and it is not his fault that the team is not built that way. The reason the Patriots have been so dominant is that when it was time to pass, they can pass and when it was time to run they can run. I've seen them come out in a 5 WR set one drive then the next drive come out in a 2 TE and 2RB set. When the Colts go into an I formation, they bring in a defensive tackle to play fullback....that's a joke. and I'm a devout colts fan!
aaratlif1/7/2009 10:48:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
It's still going to be a GREAT GAME. GO SOONERS !!!!!!!!!!!
DMcGill11/7/2009 10:11:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
The Colts lost to the Chargers for the same reason they usually do: the Chragers figured out long ago that you don't beat Manning's arm by covering receivers - you do it by pressuring Manning. When Manning is pressured, he makes bad decisions. When he's behind in the score and gets pressured, he makes stupid decisions. Tony dungy stands on the sidelines and lets Manning run the offense, and Manning believes his arm will always save the day. If the Colts had invested in their running game, instead of relying, again, on Manning's arm, they would have won.
Bruzilla1/7/2009 9:44:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
By the way, Manning did have the 7th ranked scoring defense this year so it wasn't his arm that did all the work. History will tell you that if you have a top 7 scoring defense you usually make it to the playoffs. How many defenses that were ranked in the top 7 this year missed the playoffs ? ONE. So I say his defense did their job but like always Manning gets all the credit. Anyone recall the Browns game in which they won 10-6 ? WOW, You Manning fans sure do believe the hype. If it wasn't for Rosenthal in the Houston game turning the ball over 3 in 2 minutes they would have lost that one. Was that Manning forcing those turnovers or their defense ? Sure Manning did his part by scoring on 3 very short fields but the defense sure did come up big in those final two minutes. Do you Colt fans even watch their games ? It was 27-10 with 2.10 left on the clock. I'd say another win for the defense.
DODGERLAKERBRONCOFAN1/7/2009 9:09:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Jessechevy, How can you say that Manning needs better team members ? He's had one of the best offensive units maybe of all-time. Edgerrin James is most likely a Hall of famer. Marnin Harrison a first round Hall of Famer. Tony Dungy probably a Hall of Famer. Dallas Clark is one of the best receiving tight ends in football. Dwight Freeney one of the best DE in football. Could be a future HOFer. He's had plenty of talent to win. If the Pats could win win the talent they've one with Manning should be able to. How many HOFers did they have besides Brady and Belichick ? Maybe Rodney Harrison ? And that's a big maybe. Absolutely no HOFers on offense like Manning has had the pleasure of having all those years.
DODGERLAKERBRONCOFAN1/7/2009 8:52:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
i agree with you both newwyakah and tbaggs.
steelerfan811/7/2009 7:51:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
dodgerlakerbroncofan<br />thats some stats son!!!!<br />wow that looks peyton look worse than even i thought he did wow <br />so i guess what can be said of that <br />is maybe his TEAM CARRIED HIM TO THAT SB?<br />hmmmm
1/7/2009 7:50:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
jessechevy<br />you sound just like manning does blaming his teammates!!!<br />the guy been surrounded by talent his whole career what the **** are you smoking.<br />he stinks in the postseason a grreat qb that under performs under pressure <br />ITS A FACT GET OVER IT COLTS FANS
1/7/2009 7:46:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Peyton hasn't done well in the playoffs...he is still a top five quarterback. <br />Which team wouldn't want Peyton Manning as a quarterback right now....Patriots....Falcons, maybe....Saints...Chargers , should, they just don't know it.....Who else?<br />the Colts were terrible this year, no run, no dfense and yet they made the playoffs on the arm of Peyton Manning and now we here he sucks?
newwyawkah1/7/2009 7:12:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
dear dodgerlakerbroncoean, who would you say is better, that is playing. You know stats and the coaches set up game plan. look at the 2001 Rams, Warner had a great year and the game plan for the super bowl was crap. Faulk was not ab le to play and they had he hate me for a running back. They did not even play like the rams did all year. Martz was the reason the Rams did not win 3 in a row when they were the show. Warner was the best that 3 year span. I think the head coach has to show to the players that he wants to win. With Tony D. he has always only been able to go so far in the playoffs. With Tampa and the colts , sure they one one but they should have won 3-4 over the years. You came not blame one person for this. Manning can only carry a team so far and his legs got tired. He needs better team members . look at Dallas when they won 3 in the nineties they had several superstars. The super stars they have now are all about me. You know your stats all right but you do not know what the solutions are. I am not saying I know them, but......
jessechevy1/7/2009 6:12:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
T-baggs, you're funny. I'll check back here on Sunday night just to chat with you. And don't give me that "at least we made it that far" sh#t!! With as much as you Bolts fan talk, it's all or nothing. Until you've dawned a SB ring, you did nothing!! See ya on Sunday, chump!
ChrisX261/6/2009 23:58:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
When it's all said and done, Manning will be a Super Bowl MVP and the Chargers will get once again close, but no cigar. How do they say....At-a-boy, Chargers, at-a-boy!
ChrisX261/6/2009 23:52:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
And for the fan bragging about his yards,. That's what usually happens when you're behind in the game and are forced to throw the ball to try and catch up as time is running out. That would be the case in more than half of their playoff games. You run the ball when you have the lead and passs when you're behind. His regular season stats are wonderful, too bad his postseason stats are so different. Here's a few more postseason titles he has under his belt besides the greatest comeback. He has the lowest post season passer rating(in 06) than any other Superbowl winning QB. Lowest out of 42 others. He also is the only Superbowl winning QB to throw more than twice as many INTs than TDs in his 06 postseason run and still win the Superbowl. He also had the lowest passer rating in the Superbowl than any other Superbowl MVP. Quite a few accomplishments for the Leagues Best QB ? NOT !
DODGERLAKERBRONCOFAN1/6/2009 23:07:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Here's some post season stats you Manning lovers can CHOKE on. Most Manning fans try and group all his postseason stats together and compare them to other great QBs and state that his stats are comparable, but if you look deeper this is what you will find. A real lack of consistency for one. Out of his 15 playoff games he's had multiple TDs in only 4 games. More than half of his TOTAL postseason TDs came from just 3 games. He's averaged LESS than 1TD per game in those remaining 11 games. Yes, less than 1(one). Also in those 11 games he has a combined passer rating of 67.4 with 7 TDs and 14 INTs. Really 11 games with 14 INTs and only 7 Tds ? Yes. So you see 4 games can really distort the truth, can't it ?
DODGERLAKERBRONCOFAN1/6/2009 23:06:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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