MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Best quarterback ever?
The debate is eternal, as there is an element of chocolate, vanilla or butter pecan to it. Which do you like better? The question is personal and subjective and, really, impossible to answer incorrectly.
You can say Joe Montana or John Elway. Go old school with Otto Graham. Be a renegade with Dan Marino. Maybe Johnny U does it for you. An argument can be made for Brett Favre. And Tom Brady has his backers.
But Peyton Manning keeps giving those of us who believe he is No. 1 more and more cannon balls for our fights.
Some say Manning has to come away with another Super Bowl victory Sunday before he can wear the quarterback crown. But others of us have seen enough already.
Manning is only 33, and already he has thrown for more touchdown passes than all but two players. He was won more most valuable player awards — four — than anyone, ever. He is fourth in passing yards and fourth in victories as a starter. If he plays another five years (and if Favre ever retires), Manning will have virtually every significant record in the book.
But records and awards can't come close to explaining how efficient he is, how much of a leader he is and just how many things he does to help his team win. There is no way to measure what he did this season, winning 14 games without two of his top three wide receivers from a year ago while playing with the worst running game in the league statistically.
What really stands out about Manning is he does more than any other quarterback in terms of reading the defense, choosing the play and getting his players lined up. No other quarterback in the modern era — where defenses and offenses are so complex — has had anywhere near the responsibility Manning has.
"I have great trust in Peyton," Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore once told me. "I give him all the liberties he wants to get things done. When you have a guy like Peyton you have to take advantage of those things. It's something he does very well and works very hard on. He's always right. If it doesn't come off, it's my fault."
The word "unique" often is used loosely when "rare" is meant, but unique applies to Manning in this regard.
And there are many other areas in which Manning is rare.
For instance:
•Intelligence.
"He has an answer for everything you are showing," said Fox analyst John Lynch, who played against Manning many times as a safety for the Broncos and Bucs. "You'll drop a blitz you've never run before, and somehow he knows what's coming."
•Throwing ability.
Manning is not known for his arm, but he is an outstanding thrower. His career completion percentage of 64.8 is fourth best all-time.
"He can make every throw," said ESPN and Sirius radio analyst Derrick Brooks, the former Buccaneer. "I don't think people give him enough credit for that, I really don't."
•Desire.
Manning's will to win is matched only by his dedication to preparation. He often refuses to come off the field in practice. The 12-year veteran and 10-time Pro Bowler approaches his job as if he were an undrafted free agent struggling to hang on instead of the former first pick in the draft, which he was.
"He has this insatiable will to win and then is able to execute under the pressure of it that few, if any, have ever had," Colts quarterbacks coach Frank Reich said.
•Toughness.
Manning has started 192 straight games — the most by any quarterback at the beginning of his career. If it weren't for Favre, this accomplishment would get much more play.
He doesn't take unnecessary hits when he doesn't have to, but that doesn't mean he isn't tough. He knows how to preserve himself. Still, Manning has played hurt, including with a broken jaw and a bad knee.
He is the complete package.
"I've never seen a guy with such an impact on his team," Lynch said. "Peyton stands out in that there were times on the other side of the ball, you felt helpless, like this guy is just too good. I think he's the best football player I've ever played against."
And the best quarterback anyone ever has seen
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