Peyton Manning... the predictable decline

[Twisted Sister]

Called here on the cafe, long before the start of the season... nobody wanted to buy it... but now the heads MUST come out of the sand.

Feb 22, 2007

Also, Peyton peaked 2 seasons ago... his skills will be on the decline from here on out (age catches us all).

http://www.fantasyfootballcafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=322306&hilit=manning&start=20

As of this week, Peyton is Ranked 8th in yards & TDs, with a passer rating of 87.2 (nearly identical performance to Jon Kitna!!!!). No longer a must start, now you must play matchups.

The torched has been passed, I wouldn't touch him till my normal 8th-10th round picks for QB.

[jh2031]

You do know he has been without his best WR Marvin Harrison and a few members of his offensive line this year...correct?

[chipper]

While I agree that he has not looked like his normal self, this "decline" has come at the same time as he's lost a lot of offensive help.

Also, it looked to me like last year the Colts figured out that they must learn how to win the close games if they ever wanted to have post season success. Who cares about blowing people out (like they did over past years), if you're just going to get beat in the playoffs.

For Fantasy purposes though you may be right, he has fallen back to the rest of the pack a bit. But I feel like that has more to do with the Colts' intent and strategy, than it does with the decline in Peyton's skills......at least at this point. If scoring 50+ points a game gave them any advantage in the playoffs, I don't think Peyton would have a problem getting there (once his weapons are healthy).

[nebgib5]

You do know he has been without his best WR Marvin Harrison and a few members of his offensive line this year...correct?

And the fact that you take out that one horrible game against the Chargers and his QB rating would be closer to 100, and his stats would be roughly in line with what he posted in '05. Also:

I'm not bashing Peyton... he's still the best and will be the best for the next season or two.

I fail to see how you "called it." Him going in the 8th-10th round next year is ludicrous.

[Twisted Sister]

You do know he has been without his best WR Marvin Harrison and a few members of his offensive line this year...correct?

And the fact that you take out that one horrible game against the Chargers and his QB rating would be closer to 100, and his stats would be roughly in line with what he posted in '05. Also:

I'm not bashing Peyton... he's still the best and will be the best for the next season or two.

I fail to see how you "called it." Him going in the 8th-10th round next year is ludicrous.

Read further, I said in the top 5... he's top 8. 8-10th round is where I typically prefer to draft QBs, as many jump on QBs early. I have no doubt someone will still draft him in the 2-3rd round... regardless of such a mediocre season and declining skills. You are right, I did not expect this fast of a decline... but as others have posted, a portion of it is due to Harrison and the OL.

This isn't about tooting my own horn, it's about reality. He's slipped into "the pack" of good QBs, no longer the clear #1 or #2.

[Dawinner127]

I'd still take Brady then Manning to run my real NFL team. I really don't see how you cannot want Manning. Look what the guy has done over the past years. I know that most people here wouldn't want to have your team up by 2 with 3 or so minutes left on the clock and knowing that Manning is the QB directing the other team.

[skibrett15]

You say it isn't about tooting your own horn, but it clearly is. There's a reason no one else brought this up. Because we still see him make high level plays with a mediocre team on offense. At this point his offense is mediocre with the injuries, and you can't compare this season to the others. Obviously he peaked with 49 tds, doesn't take a genious to peg that as a career year. For fantasy purposes, never draft your qb in round one. Most of us realized this, it's the "fantasy media" pushing Manning as a first rounder because he's so "safe" of a pick. P.S. this is brady's career year. It is quite obvious. Maybe after stallworth and moss leave we can say that brady is declining because he hasn't had a career year in the last 2 years.

[Atog]

Tom Brady is only a year younger than Manning. Does this mean I shouldn't draft him next year!?!?

[RazzLeDazzLe]

I say that a couple of below average games is hardly a reason to call him washed up...

Give him a chance, he's doing a nice job tonight so far.

[JasonSeahorn]

his wides and offensive line have all been injured. yes he's having a down year, but if this means i can nab peyton an extra round later, maybe even the 3rd or 4th??, then i'll take him.