Carolina Panthers owner verbally smacks Colts QB Peyton Manning, others
In case you needed another sign of how poorly things are going at the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the players and the union, look no further than this story of Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson and his exchange with Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning.
Jerry Richardson has been very inflexible during this debate and his condescension showed last week according to Cardinals K Jay Feeley. Feeley spoke to the host of the ESPN Michael Kay Show, sharing some tidbits of last weeks meeting between the players union and owners.
Feeley said, “Jerry Richardson…he’s going to criticize Peyton Manning and Drew Brees and their intelligence in our meeting Saturday? And sit there and say dismissively to Manning ‘Do I need to help you read a revenue chart son? Do I need to break that down for you because I don’t know if you know how to read that?”
Last time I checked, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees both have something that Richardson doesn’t with the Carolina Panthers, a Super Bowl trophy. And quite frankly, if this is going to be an early indication the the kind of tone these meetings are going to take, it’s clear there won’t be any football for a long while.
Indianapolis Colts add a coach to their staff
It is being reported that he Indianapolis Colts have added a new coach to their staff. David Walker will replace Gene Huey as the Colts new running backs coach. Huey was fired by the Colts after the regular season.
Walker had recently been hired by the University of Maryland after being released from the University of Pittsburgh where he worked under then head coach Dave Wannstedt.
Injuries played a significant part in the Colts rushing woes this season with all of the Colts running backs missing at least some time this season with various ailments. However, the Colts are going to need better production from the position to help alleviate some pressure on Peyton Manning and the passing attack.
Indianapolis finished the season ranked 29th running the ball, averaging only 92 yards a game. Second year RB Donald Brown had a disappointing season, but lead the Colts with a meager 497 rushing yards. By week 15, Indianapolis had re-signed veteran RB Dominic Rhodes.
Veteran RB Joseph Addai only appeared in 8 regular season games this season, but his production continues to fall off. It might be time for the Colts to address the running back position in the offseason as they really need a running back in the style of Edgerrin James.
Colts Peyton Manning is the most powerful athlete in America
Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning is a tremendous competitor on the football field, he is without a doubt a marketable player off the field, that combination makes him the most powerful athlete in America. Bloomberg Business Week released their annual list of the most powerful athletes in the country, and this season, Peyton Manning tops the list.
According to the report, the list is compiled using a variety of factors. It’s the way the athlete performs as well as how he connects with fans and advertisers. Bloomberg states, “It’s not just likability that moves us. Fans also love the mental toughness it takes to crush competitors and dominate a sport in the manner of Roger Federer or Shaun White”.
Last year’s top athlete was Tiger Woods. Wood’s image took a hit with the revelation of his extra-martial affairs becoming public and his play on the golf course suffered as well. A new contract for Manning would likely keep him atop the list for 2012 as well.
You can see the list of the Power 100 right here.
Colts owner Jim Irsay gives away two Super Bowl tickets on Twitter
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has become an instant success on Twitter, he’s a natural. He gives away more things than Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah combined, now Irsay has given away a trip to Super Bowl XLV. Irsay has captivated his Twiiter audience and interacts with them flawlessly.
Irsay uses trivia questions as the source of his questions to his followers. He sends out cash money. He sent out a car. He make bizarre references, quotes song lyrics. it’s great stuff. I think that a new part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement should include the manate that every NFL owner has to have an active Twitter account and use it!
This weekend, Irsay held a contest for a pair of Super Bowl tickets, including hotel and airfare to the first Twitter follower that could answer the following Twitter question. “Who was this former NFL player, who became a father at the same time I did? Are U winning this thing and headin 2 Dallas???”
The answer was Robert Newhouse. He wore number 44 and played for the Dallas Cowboys, blocking for Tony Dorsett.The winner was a man by the name of Bill Richardson.
Irsay’s use of Twitter has been nothing short of genius. And other NFL owners should take note, as well as business executives. He has been able to interact with the Colts fans in a way that is simply brilliant and hasn’t been done before.
Colts QB Peyton Manning has had an off year? Think again.
Pundits were ready to write off Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning this year after he went through a span of three games where he tossed 11 interceptions starting in week 11. Manning is getting older. Manning has lost his touch. Defenses have figured out a way to beat Peyton. But was his 2010 regular season a sign that he is slowing down? Not so much.
Yes, the Indianapolis Colts have worked through some serious injury issues this season. They have been unable to stop the run defensively, and they have struggled to get offensive run production as well. But is Peyton Manning slowing down? The critics will be sad to learn that he is not.
Last season, the Colts advanced all the way to the Super Bowl and lost to the New Orleans Saints. In 2009, Manning threw for exactly 4500 yards, 33 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. This season, with a depleted offensive arsenal, Manning threw for exactly 4700 yards (the most in his career), 33 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. 2010 was the fourth season in his 13 year career that he has tossed 33 or more touchdowns and it was the first time ever that Manning has tossed 33 scores in back to back seasons. Manning followed up his this record setting season of 2004 when he threw 49 touchdowns with 29 scores in 2005.
Has this been a difficult year for the Colts? Yes. Manning has attempted a record 679 passes this season, over 100 more passing attempts than at any point in his career. But as the Colts get ready to host the wildcard game against the New York Jets this weekend, Indianapolis has found something over the last few games of the regular season which has been missing, a running game. The Colts have rushed for over 440 yards on the ground in their final three games of the regular season.
As the Colts, an experienced team, head into the playoffs against the Jets, it’s not about how the season started but how the season ended. The Jets came out early on and looked as if they were going to dominate the NFL this season but they finished weak, losing three of their last five games. The Colts have managed to find their way into the playoff tourney and are riding a four game win streak. Anyone who doubts Peyton Manning or his ability to will his team to victory, especially at home, has severely underestimated Manning or hasn’t watched football in the last decade.
