Word: quarterbacked
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
There is something about Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning that just gets people worked up. His singularly impressive statistics, his enormous contract, his ubiquitous TV commercials--all add up to, well, what exactly? To fans, he's a telegenic superstar. To detractors, he's overexposed and overrated. After all, he has never won the Super Bowl. Even after his finest moment as a pro, throwing for 347 yds. in a 38-34 comeback win over the archrival New England Patriots in the game that will give Manning a chance to win the big one, the critics can't resist piling...
...bonus, is another easy target. So is his birth into football royalty. While it's true that Peyton Manning has worked hard to hone his God-given talent, it doesn't hurt to have had a father like Archie Manning, the Ole Miss legend and New Orleans Saints standout quarterback. All the Manning boys are genetic freaks: younger brother Eli is a starting quarterback, though not an effective one for now, with the New York Giants, and older brother Cooper was slashing toward stardom before a spinal disorder ended his career (he's now a successful businessman in New Orleans...
...draft, forcing the San Diego Chargers to trade him to the Giants because he refused to play for what was then a losing team. The Chargers still accuse the Manning family of meddling in the negotiations, though Archie has denied that. Eli has struggled for the Giants, while the quarterback for whom he was traded, Philip Rivers, made the Pro Bowl this year after leading the Chargers to a stellar season. It's a small yet satisfying slither of revenge for the anti-Peyton army...
...failure delivers some connection. "It gives us an entry into his humanity, his vulnerability," says Coakley. "He isn't perfect, despite the fact he's so damn good." Peyton's brother Cooper naturally disagrees with any such rationale for cheering on the Bears, who--despite featuring a frighteningly inconsistent quarterback, Rex Grossman--have the type of defense that can shut down Peyton. "Average Joes want heroes," Cooper says. "Average Joes want guys that are better than them." We already know that Peyton is better than we are, Cooper. But does he have to have...
TONY ROMO, Dallas quarterback, whose botched hold of a last-second field-goal attempt handed the victory to the Seattle Seahawks...