The Manning Connundrum

I have never really liked Peyton Manning the player. I don't care for the Colts, and seeing as how I have a serious fondness for Tom Brady and the Patriots, it makes sense that I have never been a Manning guy. That being said, it's impossible to deny his talent. And I'm not just talking about his incredible commercials.

Manning is an incredible, and incredibly unique player. Part of what makes a good villain is someone who is great, capable of incredible feats, and always in the discussion come championship time. It's the same way I feel about Derek Jeter. I hate the Yankees, but I respect Jeter's skill and the way he's willed his team to succeed.

Manning really doesn't have anything to prove on the field. He's been a consistently prolific passer, he's put up an incredible record, he has been one of the most durable players to ever play, and he has the one thing great players always need to cement their legacy, a Championship. If there was any doubt about what Manning means to the Colts, that was laid to rest as the team limped to a 2-14 finish — often looking lost — as he stood in street clothes on the sidelines. That's why the NFL Magazine, in its first issue, took the bold step of saying it was possible that Manning, who didn't play a snap this season, was the Most Valuable Player in 2011.

But the question is how will his career end. We've seen great quarterbacks derailed by injuries or an inability to step away, and how that changed the way we think of them, at least a little. Joe Montana won four Super Bowls with the 49ers and was one of the greatest quarterbacks ever. But when the 49ers cut him loose, he was forced to finish up with mediocre Kansas City teams. Or how about Brett Favre. His time with the Jets and his second season with the Minnesota Vikings certainly marred an otherwise memorable career.

But with Manning, there's an even greater fear than the fact his play might not live up to previous levels with another team. What about his health? Manning has had three neck surgeries since he last played a game. They literally had to fuse his spine together, and he's not made incredible progress since. It's the same injury that ended his brother's career on the field in college. Yet, he seems determined to come back for more.

Doubtless Manning still has the competitive fire to play. Doubtless seeing how little brother Eli has achieved success this season has only added to that fire. But, seeing as how his health is still in question and the Colts, the team where's he's spent his whole career, seem poised to cut ties and move on, one can't help but wonder if it isn't time for a graceful, dignified end to what is a sure-fire Hall of Fame career.

If he is still the Peyton Manning we remember, it's impossible to argue that the NFL wouldn't be better with him under center next September. But, given all the looming questions, that's a big if.