"Awe" and "Shucks" Fit Mannings to a T

ATLANTA, Georgia--LA Times sportswriter Bill Plasche came up with a great line which really defines the Manning brothers. Said Plasche, “If Peyton is awe, then Eli is shucks.” It’s so good and so explains what Peyton and Eli are all about that I couldn’t resist using it here. It also says to me that, no matter what happens Sunday, the debate over who’s the “main Manning,” (thanks again Bill), will always be won by Peyton.

I’ve never met Eli—only know him as you do through the media—but I did spend two years at the University of Tennessee watching Peyton develop into one of the finest quarterbacks of our time…any time. 

The year was 1996 and Peyton was in his junior year at UT. I remember walking on the practice field one sparkling early fall afternoon. It was my first encounter with the future Hall of Famer. Amid the grunts and groans, the sounds of pad against pad, an occasional whistle and the cacophony created by the muffled voices of coaches, trainers and other observers, the gunslinger plied his trade-- dropping back and using his arm to connect with receivers all over the field. He was Chuck Conners. He was the Rifleman.

Two things stood out. While Phillip Fulmer was the head coach and David Cutcliif the offensive coordinator, it was clear that players looked to Peyton as the guy in charge of the offense. Secondly, it was obvious that he was the inspirational leader for the entire team. His college and pro records speak to his skill and his leadership ability. Add the charisma that Add the charisma that has made him one of the most popular product endorsers in the country (while playing in a midsized market) and you have the total package. 

Both Eli and Peyton have amassed incredible records in college and in the pros, but unless Eli outdoes his brother a lot –and I mean by a large margin—history’s nod will go to Peyton. In the end, it’s not about touchdown passes or yards gained. It may not even be about Super Bowl rings. In the end, it’s all about “awe” and “shucks’ and no statistical comparison can replace that. 

Quick Take…Atlanta Falcon owner Arthur Blank was on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on ESPN Radio on Friday morning. He agreed with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s statement that if the league expands, it would expand by two teams, not just one. Blank said the league would like to be in Los Angeles, but did not comment on another possible city (or two if L.A. obtains an existing franchise). He also said that the NFL would continue to eye international expansion with Europe and South America the most likely locations “when the time is right.” 

Prediction…While everybody loves the Giants I don’t see the New York D stopping Brady. Patriots 31-21.