Peyton Manning, you can now let out a sigh of relief. You are no longer mentioned in the same breath as Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, Dan Fouts and Fran Tarkenton as being among the best quarterbacks never to have won a Super Bowl. Even worse, however, is the fact that you could have gone down in history as being the quarterback that lost to a team led by Rex Grossman.
And for a while, Peyton, things didn't look so good. Fourteen seconds into the game, you were shown on the sideline throwing down your hat after Devin Hester ran back the opening kick-off to give the Bears a 6-0 lead. Just a couple of minutes later, the camera caught you kicking dirt and moping after you threw an interception on the Colts' opening drive.
But you pulled things together in the toughest of weather conditions. Reggie Wayne caught your 53-yard touchdown pass and practically walked into the end-zone. And then you led a couple of subsequent scoring drives to take the lead against arguably one of the best defenses in the NFL. Your team held off the Bears for the rest of the game and you won your first Super Bowl. And not only did you win the big game -- you also won a red Cadillac for being the Super Bowl MVP. Ridiculous.
It's ridiculous because the real MVP of last night's game was your defense. They are the players that you really should be thanking for your new ring and new set of wheels. If it wasn't for them, you'd be having nightmares for the entire offseason. Reporters would be hounding you about your inability to perform in the clutch. And, if the Terrell Owens and Donovan McNabb drama after the Eagles lost Super Bowl XXXIX was any indication of what happens to the bond between the quarterback and his star receiver after a loss on the big stage, you'd be watching Marvin Harrison pack his bags as we speak.
But that stingy defense of yours came up big. They stopped the Bears' run game led by U.Va. alumnus Thomas Jones. They got some huge fumble recoveries and interceptions, too. Just when it looked like the Bears were going to make a run, your defense got some key turnovers (five, to be exact).
But you know what, I'll give you some credit. You didn't have a great game, but you passed for 247 yards and only threw one interception. You showed poise and leadership down the stretch by not throwing a dumb pass or by exposing the ball to a 290-pound defensive end. When your team went down early in the game, you bounced right back and led your team down the field for a big-time score.
So congratulations. You put up some impressive numbers this season and you deserve a break. But before you go, I want to ask you a couple of quick favors.
First, don't make any more of those dreadful Mastercard commercials. They just aren't funny. In fact, it's torture to watch you act. You've just won a Super Bowl, you have a new car and probably a bonus for winning the big game. The last thing you need right now is endorsement money.
Okay, now that we've got that straight I need you to watch your mouth during the upcoming Pro Bowl. If you remember, it was about four years ago when you called your kicker (Mike Vanderjagt at the time) an "idiot kicker" after he threw a couple of insults your way. You went on to say that he was "liquored up and ran his mouth off." Now, maybe your comments were justified, but it certainly didn't look good on your behalf. And if you say something like that again, your new kicker, Adam Vinatieri (who just kicked three field goals in your Super Bowl win) will probably leave, too.
Lastly, I need you to give some of those burly defensive linemen a ride in your new Caddy. I know we covered this, but I think it's worth repeating: they're the reason you won that game last night. The whole team may have rings, but you're the one with the Cadillac. So, Peyton, it's time that you man up and thank them. Whether you are driving back to Indianapolis or heading to Disney World after the big victory, don't forget about giving those players a lift.
Those big guys need some love, too.
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