Monday, February 5, 2007

Too Much Love for Manning

After Super Sunday's 29-17 Colts victory, Peyton Manning got the proverbial monkey off his back and a questionable Super Bowl MVP award as well.

Except for the frequent, and well-deserved bashing of Rex Grossman, the media spent the entire season glorifying the defense of the Chicago Bears even after Tommie Harris' injury significantly diluted the team's run D. But after Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai rushed a total of 40 times for 190 yards (4.75 yds per carry), it turned out that, despite what Denny Green said, the Bears weren't really who everyone thought they were.

Regardless of that, at least one member of the Colts' backfield duo should have received MVP honors. Rhodes had 113 yards on the ground and a score, and Addai, in addition to his 77 rushing yards, set a Super Bowl record for RBs with 10 receptions for another 66 yards. Yes, Manning had a good game, but Rhodes and Addai converted several key 3rd and shorts and ran for clock-milking first downs when the Bears KNEW Indy would run.

I'm glad to see Peyton squash the biggest criticisms against him (though I'm sure more will appear until he's retired), but he shouldn't be given the award simply in an effort to avoid naming a backup running back MVP or having the award split. Is Cadillac somehow involved in this? Are they not willing to dish out a second Escalade? Considering GM's struggles, that's not too far fetched. Anyways . . . the Super Bowl MVP award should not be given to the franchise player as a tiebreaker between two other players. Peyton Manning is no exception. I mean, Kelvin Hayden put as many points on the board as Peyton did.

1 comment:

Santi Quirarte said...

This is the first time that I watch the Super Bowl from the start till the end. Other occasions I have stop watching it because it's a blown out or it just gets boring, but this time it was exciting game. I agree with you Peyton had a good game and was a good leader in the field, but his performance was not good enough for an MVP. I guess that his name has more weight and sells more for Cadillac.
I liked what you wrote.