Jack's Jock's Jot

Jack’s Jock On Why The Manning Brothers Rock
So a full wrap of the World Series next week when it’s over. The Jock promises his loyal reader(s). But for this week’s Jot, I have to profess my Manning love. And yes – I’m fully prepared for all the naysayers. Bring it. And what’s more, with this hectic week I’m going to write this thing without the use of stats. It’s all pure guts.

There’s a lot of hate out there for the Manning brothers. And honestly – that’s just really freakin’ weird. I mean, they’re incredibly nice, talented, humble football players. And while I do like Eli, it’s Peyton who’s this Jock’s jock of choice. This is partly because I’m from Tennessee and I remember Peyton from his Univ. of Tenn. glory days. But the fact of the matter is: Peyton Manning is the best quarterback in the National Football League… period.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hear ya Tom Brady lovers. And yes – Brady’s good. Brady’s actually amazing. But watch Peyton command the field and his team. If football is nothing more than war as a game, then the quarterback must be the general. The leader. And that’s Peyton. The guy is already on the top ten list of all-time passes for touchdowns (OK – so the Jock threw one stat at you… they’re like my currency). He and the Colts of Indianapolis have flown threw their regular season foes thus far, and laid waste to them all (including his brother Eli and his Giants). And I have no problem telling you, my Jablets, that the back-to-back weekends which see the Colts play the Cowboys and the Eagles next month already have me planning what pizza to order. This is what football season is all about.

But let’s not forget Eli, a great quarterback in his own right. He’s a few years behind Peyton, but he’s already showing up some of the real veterans of the game. In particular, what comes to mind is Bill Parcell. The former Giants coach actually apologized for the embarrassing performance his Cowboys gave against Eli and the Giants this Monday. And what about T.O.? Terrell Owens (for once) had to give himself some of the blame. He actually said “We really stunk it up out there.” WE!!!! What more can you say when you make yourself out to be a team’s salvation, you’re left wide open at a critical point of a game your team is losing, and the ball bounces right out of your hands. Game over, Terrell Owens. Game over. As for Eli & Peyton… there may be plenty out there who make fun of your Southern roots, the twang in your voice, and the shuffle in your step off the field – but damn sons! Have you seen yourselves play? What the hell do you care what they think?