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Strange: Manning, the elder statesman, feels young
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Brett Favre is retired, we think. On Wednesday, the Baltimore Ravens placed Steve McNair on the retired list.
Guess who that leaves as the dean of that most exclusive club, the NFL starting quarterbacks?
Time flies. Somehow before our very eyes Peyton Manning has become the old-timer.
If a tourist from Hong Kong glanced at Manning's ranking on various NFL career passing stat charts, he'd assume Peyton must be at or at least near the end of his playing days.
Not so fast, Manning protested Tuesday during a visit to the University of Tennessee campus.
"I don't feel like an old player,'' he said. "I feel very much young.''
He says that, even though he admits rookies call him "Mr. Manning.'' Jacob Tamme, a rookie receiver from Kentucky, recently mentioned how much he enjoyed watching Manning on ESPN Classic in a 1995 UT-Georgia game.
"Here's a guy,'' Manning said, "that when I was a 22-year-old senior here at Tennessee, this kid was 11 years old.''
There are a couple of older quarterbacks in the league. Todd Collins and Jon Kitna have been around longer but nobody matches Manning's tenure as a starter - 160 starts out of 160 regular-season games for the Indianapolis Colts since 1998.
Manning is 32 and healthy heading into his 11th NFL season. He plans to continue slinging passes for the foreseeable future.
He'll keep taking his bodyguards, aka offensive line, out to dinner to inspire the ultimate in protection. One concession to age, he preserves his arm by keeping a throw count like a baseball pitcher.
Favre, the NFL's new all-time leader in passing yards and touchdown passes, played 17 years, was a starter for 16 of them.
Besides Favre, only Dan Marino and Fran Tarkenton have thrown more TD passes than Manning's 306. Marino played 17 years, Tarkenton 18.
Manning doesn't have a finite idea of how long he'll play, just as long as he can keep playing at a high level.
"I don't want to be just hanging on,'' he said. "I still want to be able to make the same throws I've always made. Hopefully, that'll be a number of more years.''
But while Manning is long enough in the tooth to entertain speculation about the end of his career, he's not too far gone to recall the details of the beginning.
When UT opens the 2008 season against UCLA in the Rose Bowl it will be the 14th anniversary of Manning's collegiate debut, also against UCLA in the Rose Bowl.
While Manning was a ballyhooed signee out of New Orleans, he expected to spend 1994 getting his feet wet in support of senior Jerry Colquitt, who was finally getting his shot after sitting behind Heath Shuler for two seasons.
"I was just glad to be in the stadium that day,'' Manning recalled, "playing in the Rose Bowl with Keith Jackson and Bob Griese broadcasting the game on ABC national television.
"I really had no intentions of playing that day and I didn't know if I was going to play at all that season.''
The scenario changed when Colquitt suffered a season-ending knee injury on the seventh play of the game.
Todd Helton took over at quarterback. Manning played one series, handing off three times.
"The hair on my arms was sticking straight up,'' Manning said. "I still get excited thinking about it.''
It wasn't until Helton was hurt in the fourth game, at Mississippi State, that Manning moved to the front burner, eventually beating out fellow freshman Branndon Stewart.
Stewart transferred after the season. Manning went on to rewrite the UT record book. Now he's assaulting the NFL record book with no end in sight.
But even though the youngsters call him "Mr. Manning" now, he's never forgotten the feeling of the hair sticking up on his arms one day in Pasadena.
"I think about these rookies now on our team,'' Manning said, "playing that first game, how nervous they are.
"I can relate to that.''
Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strangem@knoxnews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by FishTacos on June 19, 2008 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I remember that game in 94' at the Rose Bowl like it was yesterday. First Comment.
Posted by Bigger_Al on June 19, 2008 at 8:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was there as well. I believe Helton would have brought us all the way back if we had another minute or two on the clock.
Remember how much heat some people gave Coach Fulmer for starting Manning over Stewart?
Posted by TurboFan on June 19, 2008 at 8:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hope history doesn't repeat itself. There's no 3rd string Manning this time.
I really felt bad for Jerry Colquitt after that game. ORHS has had so few players go to UT much less actually start.
Posted by CrankE on June 19, 2008 at 9:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That really is something to think that Manning is the dean of NFL QBs. Thanks for a good article, Mike.
I remember that 94 UCLA game too. Todd Helton put a monster block on somebody to help open things up a little. Whoo!
Isn't it about time for KNS to run their perennial, "Johnny Majors is still bitter" article?
Posted by RichRollin on June 19, 2008 at 11:50 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by kaplan on June 19, 2008 at 11:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Johnny lives in Knoxville now. He makes a lot of public appearances here. That wasn't the case when he lived in Pittsburgh. We will not be covering his annual golf tournament that has been the source for the previous stories.
Phil Kaplan
Posted by boiseVOL on June 20, 2008 at 1:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I remember that monster block Helton put on in the UCLA game too. I moved to Colorado Springs the year that Helton was playing for the farm team there. He was playing first base, and I was a few rows up right next to him. I yelled out GO VOLS!!! and pumped my fist. He jumped up in the stands after the game with a few of his teammates to talk with me. I told him how I thought that was one of the best blocks a QB has thrown at UT. His teammates suggested that he was paying me to say that. One of them teased him and said theat Todd never played football. Todd was very personable, we talked quite a bit about his time playing football at TN. GO VOLS!!!
Posted by richvol on June 20, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That game was my first trip to the Rose Bowl. I was excited to be there due to the history. Jerry Colquitt's injury was terrible. He was a 5th year senior and had waited his turn. We were moving the ball when it happened but the drive stalled when he went down. Helton did a good job but it seemed he was limited by the coaches on playcalling.
Sitting right in front of me was Vince Ferragamo,the Rams QB, and two rows down was Archie Manning. When Peyton came in both of them sat up straight and stared intently at the action. Actually I thought Brandon Stewart played as well as anyone during his limited stint.
As we left the stadium a large crowed of UCLA kids taunted us with "where's your Rocky Top now hillbilly." That made it so much sweeter three years later when I went back and Peyton led us to victory.
Posted by vol_in_ma on June 20, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I, too, remember that 94 UCLA game.
I was hanging out with some friends watching the game when Helton began to bring UT back. During the comeback, I remember starting a "Helton for Heisman" campaign with my buddies. But the comeback fell short and that was it for the Heisman campaign:)
Posted by dlobh on June 20, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
UT has turned out one of, if not the, greatest quarterback of all time (it's STILL a GREAT disappointment that Manning didn't get that Heisman), the greatest defensive lineman of all time, Mr. Reggie White (he's be the all time sack leader by quite a bit if he hadn't played for the Memphis Showboats or whatever they were called), and one of the greatest hitters/first baseman (lifetime .329 hitter) of all time just to name a few . . . it's great to be a Tennessee Vol
Posted by VOLstuckINky on June 20, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't want to think about NFL football without Peyton .... he'll finish as the greatest .. period.
Posted by DCSOvol on June 20, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Speaking of monster hits, does anyone remember the lick Greg Johnson laid during a kickoff in that game. He leveled a UCLA returner in what was probably the highlight of his career. Now he is serving in the Middle East. God bless him!
Posted by DCSOvol on June 20, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And during the telecast, one of the funniest calls from Keith Jackson on a reverse in the second half, "AND HERE COMES NILO SIIIILVAAAAN!"
Posted by tndrum on June 20, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wasn't at the game, but was glued to the tv for it. Like everyone else, I couldn't have felt worse for Colquitt. I would have loved to have seen Jerry play the whole year. He was a difference maker.
Richvol: By Helton's own admission, the conservative play calling with him in there was as much his fault as the coaches. Maybe more. He has admitted not really paying attention in meetings or having a very good grasp of the offense. He never expected to play. Which sort of makes his play that day and the next few games even more impressive.
Posted by Hunter on June 20, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I remember sitting in the top of Section A against Washington State that year and the old men around me screaming "Who is this Manning kid? Put in Stewart - he's got a gun!"
The more things change, the more they stay the same.....
Posted by brdteton on June 20, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
YUDAMAN Peyton!
Posted by brokebackvol on June 20, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah ole "Peytie Pie" is still helping UT recruit - although losing Cutcliff hurts (we'll see how good Clawson is pretty quickly in Pasadena.)
Y'all forgot a former Vol is in Congress, too!
Heath Shuler (D-NC)
Posted by volboy81 on June 20, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was at the Rose Bowl for that game. It was a fun game with lots of excitement. UT almost came back to win it after being way down. We'll beat them there this year, like we did in 97 (with Peyton at QB)
Posted by eb502us on June 20, 2008 at 8:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was at that game and remember what a beautiful day it was with the scenery of the Rose Bowl. Then after kickoff, everything went downhill. We lose our quarterback, have no rhythm on offense, and then the thing I remember the most was the streaker who went directly to the 50 yd. line and stood there jumping up and down for what seemed like an eternity before the cops tackled him. The guy was out there so long he was getting tired of jumping up and down. What a scene. Lets hope this years trip is a better one, and if there's a streaker again, hopefully it's a good looking woman instead.
Posted by philfan on June 20, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
At least now the KNS is writing about someone besides Tebow. I want to hear more about Crompton. There has only been one, maybe two, articles about the man who will begin leading the Volunteers in September. I want to hear about the present players, not about Tebow, Stafford, and Casey Dick. I know Manning is a great player who should have won the Heisman, but I want to hear about our new quarterback.
Posted by TurboFan on June 20, 2008 at 9:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
philfan, 6 more weeks and you'll have more than wished for.
Posted by GOBIGO72 on June 21, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In 5 more years Peyton is offensive coordinator -7 more years - he'll take the reins for 30 and become (arguably-as they will) the greatest ever in NCAA history - could not think of a better way to finish the ride - its great to be a TN Vol.
Posted by FWBVol on June 21, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
GOBIGO72, I love your dream, but I don't think it will ever happen. Most great players don't make great coaches because they are perfectionist and most kids can't live up to the standards they set for themselves and others.
Spurrier was a great college player, but was lousy as a pro so he wouldn't fall into that category. And he was probably the best player among the current coaches in the SEC.
Bart Starr is one of the greatest QBs to ever play in the NFL, but didn't do much as a coach. Tom Landry, Don Shula, Tony Dungy and the list goes on, were good but not great players in the NFL, but I can't think of one great player that became a great coach.
Of course there's always hoping Peyton would be the first!
Posted by Colliervol on June 23, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Not to mention why Peyton would want to put up with the grief that a coach gets and the fact that he'll be filthy rich by the time he retires. Unless he just totally surprises me, I can see him being an owner in the NFL before seeing him as a college coach. (If he decided to go back to the college scene, maybe an athletic director but not a coach.)
I mean with his salary and his endorsements, the man is a one man conglomerate right now. What's it going to be like in 6 or 7 more years?
Posted by TommyJack on June 23, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Rose Bowl must have seated about 800,000 in those days.
Posted by invisiblekid on June 23, 2008 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree on Manning FWBVol and Collier, I just can't see him coaching for the reasons you mentioned.
Regarding Spurrier, I'll give the devil his due, he easily had the best playing career in college among coaches given that he won the Heisman when it meant something. Off the top of my head, I can't recall any other Heisman winners that went on to be successful as a coach.
Posted by iam4ua on June 26, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why would you want Maning to be a coach. He can barely speak plain English and he is dumb as a rock. They finally stopped trying to put him in commericals because it was a losing cause. Payton is no Tom Brady you know.
One is divorced and the other has a super model girlfriend. You decide.
Posted by vanderford82 on June 29, 2008 at 10:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
who cares what iam4ua thinks?
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