Annoying
by Tyler Bleszinski on Sep 13, 2007 1:19 PM PDT
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PrintI'm in a bit of a foul mood today and it isn't just because Dan The Man Haren has slipped out of Cy Young contention. It isn't because our team is five games below .500, although that is contributing to it.
No, it's more because there are a lot of things in sports lately that have been bugging me and since I have a place to bring it up, I might as well.
The thing that's been annoying me more than anything these days is Peyton Manning's face. Listen I loved his SNL appearance and this is quite possibly one of the funniest things I've ever seen:
At the same time, Manning was already in thousands of commercials BEFORE he won the Super Bowl last year. Now, I'm inundated with Manning's mug every time I turn on the TV. He's a pitch guy for Directv, Sprint, Visa and Gatorade. And that's just off the top of my head. I don't even want to watch football games anymore because Manning is overkill. I mean seriously, you remember how the public got burnt out on J-Lo's overexposure a few years ago? If you're a sports fan, it is a million times worse. And it's not like he has some "attributes" that the opposite sex might like looking at. He's a large, gangly goofy looking dude who wears the ugliest looking facemask in football (next to the one bar kicker helmet).
Seriously, I don't think Michael Jordan had this much exposure when he was playing and the guy won six championships. The worst part is that he isn't even the best player in his own sport right now. That honor would go to LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers. I know LT hasn't won a championship, but his team is on the cusp of getting there and he is one of the most dynamic athletes in the game right now. Even on his worst week he still throws for a TD and runs for one.
So that's my major annoyance in sports right now. If I have to see that Manning running through the hotel with Dolphins swimming around Marvin Harrison one more time I'm going to scream. You can argue that Manning is the perfect pitchman for America. He's got a Southern accent, so he's charming to middle America. He apparently lives, breathes and sleeps football 24/7/365 so you won't likely be finding any Vick-like scandal waiting to blow up in his sponsors' faces. He's got a ho-hum demeanor to him that's very unthreatening. But I'm just tired of it. Get LT out there. Get someone else. Anyone else.
I don't write about other sports very often here, but the Manning overkill has been driving me bananas lately and I just needed to vent.
As for the A's, they are taking on the Rangers tonight at the Coliseum and Chad Gaudin is facing Kevin Millwood. First pitch is 7:05 p.m. Hopefully there won't be any Manning commercials...
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Manning
I can understand how someone would get burned out on Manning. That said, I actually enjoy watching his commercials, mostly because he's always acting goofy in them. I have a soft spot for anyone (but especially famous people) who are willing to act goofy on national tv.
I agree that LT is the best football player in the NFL right now. It's only a matter of time before he starts winning championships.
re: Manning
I agree that he's overexposed, but as above, the thing that mitigates it for me is he's obviously aware he's a giant dork and mocks that image in almost all his commercials. Manning is always contrasted with Brady, but can you imagine trying to watch Tom Brady in a commercial? That guy has the personality of cardboard.
Having said that, that LT SportsCenter ad where he's trying to deliver the mail is better than any Manning ad.
by reni on Sep 13, 2007 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Love Manning
I think the guy is one of the best to come along in a while. I think sports fans should stop to appreciate just how special a talent this guy is. (Regardless of his corny commercials he does)
by Hawk on Sep 13, 2007 1:24 PM PDT reply actions
Sorry, but Manning is the best player
in the NFL. The most important player in the game is the QB and he's the top one (though Brady is a close second). As much as it pains me to say I might add.
Yep.
Peyton is a definite first-ballot hall-of-famer. He made playing QB look easy at that Saints game. He's still at the top of his game, and I'm just glad I'm around to see what might be the best QB ever to play the game in his prime.
Ya you might be a bit over the top...
I can think of alot worse guys to put on TV than a guy like Manning.
Peyton Manning
IS probably the best NFL player EVER if not at least right now. I have so many facts to back this up, his high QB Rating, accuracy, ability to read defenses, lack of turning the ball over, time of possesion, lack of getting sacked (longer career, less risk of injury), and he knows when to throw the ball away or to the ground.
So Ladainian Tomlinson has speed, a mad stiff arm, and a cut move off his opposite foot that no one else can mimic. However, if Ladainian Tomlinson got injured right now (knock on wood), the Chargers would probably win almost as much games with Michael Turner instead. If Peyton got injured (knock on wood again), Jim Sorgi and the Colts would almost certainly lose more games than with Peyton Manning.
In Fantasy Football terms. LT is the #1 fantasy football stud (for the most part) right? WRONG!
If Peyton Manning would to go down now, Joseph Addai, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, and of course Peyton Manning owners would feel the pain and no benefit in sight unless you own the defense going against the Colts. If LT got injured, only LT owners would feel the pain, and a Micheal Turner owner would benefit.
I'm not saying it's all Peyton Manning, his teammates deserve credit, i'm just trying to point out that his value to his team is more than anyone else to their team.
by Instant Replay Umpire on Sep 13, 2007 1:51 PM PDT reply actions
Just out of curiosity, how old are you?
I think Manning also
has one of the better offensive lines ever. It isn't just about him making decisions to throw the ball away, but the guy almost always has a crapload of time to throw the ball. And they made Dominic Rhodes look like a stud runner last year. Come on!
I think the most overlooked part of a football team and a "skill position" football player's success is the offensive line. Saturday and company are just awesome.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Sep 13, 2007 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Offensive Line
Although Manning does have a crapload of time to throw, I think it's a combination of a really good O-line and teams just not wanting to blitz Peyton Manning because his ability to exploit it.
Peyton has a ridiculous QB Rating when being blizted on, and teams don't even pay attention to his play action anymore because they are more worried about Manning's Arm than the RB.
KC has one of the greatest offensive lines of all time with Shields and Roaf, however their QB... yeah.
by Instant Replay Umpire on Sep 13, 2007 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Seriously? Trent Green and Damon Huard
beg to differ. Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson also dropped by to say hi.
That's two journeymen QBs and two decent RBs that Willie Roaf and co have made to look far better than they are. This without any viable receiving threat besides Gonzalez.
I think a hell of a lot of the praise Manning gets has got to go to Howard Mudd, the O-line coach of the Colts. As has been discussed, it all starts upfront - even Barry Sanders needed the occasional block! :P Much like Dante Scarnecchia in New England, he's put together one of the better lines in the league with less talent than the rest.
That said Brady and Manning have an uncanny ability to feel pressure in the pocket and avoid it, more so than most. It's part of what makes them special.
I said Probably...
I was young, but old enough to remember Joe Montana play. He was extremely good, but it would be hard for me to say Montana being better than Manning (although it can be argued either way).
But my personal opinion, Manning right now is slightly better than Montana at his prime, by a hair.
by Instant Replay Umpire on Sep 13, 2007 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions
That's another thing...
Joe Montana...
Still didn't have as much all purpose yards as Peyton Manning per game. Why risk injury by running with the ball when you can make it up on the next play or drive? Peyton Manning is worth more to his team by throwing it away than scrambling for yardage. Peyton plays every game, 16 games a season + playoffs, Montana didn't, and that probably has to do with his sack rate (and hits taken), and rushing unconditionally at a defense wanting to pummel you.
Just because Montana scrambled when no receivers are open doesn't necessary make him better than Peyton Manning, although not throwing at the receiver not open makes them comparable.
by Instant Replay Umpire on Sep 13, 2007 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Jim Sorgi Owners
would most likely not benefit unless they had little depth at the QB position.
Micheal Turner as a premier back behind the Chargers O-line and Offense immediately becomes a top 5 RB (defense rated all the same for arguement purposes).
Jim Sorgi behind the Colts O-line and Offense immediately becomes a top 20 QB (being generous).
by Instant Replay Umpire on Sep 13, 2007 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Please don't tell me that
you're criticizing the Colts o-line. Manning isn't exactly mobile and he hardly ever gets sacked. Yes it's in part due to quick reads and dumping the ball, but he can't run to save his life. You can't even begin to say that the Colts o-line isn't great.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Sep 13, 2007 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Blez is right.....
Sorry Blez
but I think Sacks (more than 75% of the time) are usually the Quarterbacks fault for not reading the blitz, telling your blockers which ones to look out for and which ones not to look out for, audible-ing out to a better play, or getting rid of the ball. I believe a high football I.Q. can beat Michael Vick speed to avoid sacks.
And i'm not trying to criticize the Colts O-line, I agree they are one of the best.
by Instant Replay Umpire on Sep 13, 2007 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions
I certainly don't think the Colts' line would
be as effective if Sorgi was under centre. Again, it's the stuff that Manning brings that makes him special - pre-snap reads, the ability to hit the hot read quickly and accurately, the uncanny ability to feel pressure in the pocket and move. You don't have to be Michael Vick to avoid pressure, all it takes is a step - the best QBs are masters at that.
Not that it isn't an effective unit, it's just the guy under centre really enhances their play.
I was kidding....
I do think you are confusing what makes a player a fantasy stud. What makes a player a stud in fantasy is the total points they accumulate for you. The clear winner in the is LT. Yes, Manning getting hurt would have a negative effect on many other players' values, but that does not make him more than LT in the fantasy world.
As far as the "best ever" tag goes, I don't think that can rightfully be given to anyone. Comparing people that played in different eras against different opponents in near impossible. Stick to "best of his time". You can support that claim.
jpl
agree that LT is king of the fantasy world, (i was just trying to point out that a lot of people don't understand what Peyton actually affects).
agree that maybe the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) reference might be too much, and I can care less if people don't think Peyton Manning is, i'm not his dad and I don't know his sister (i know he doesn't have one).
lastly, hope you don't lose to Jim Sorgi's mom this week in fantasy football.
by Instant Replay Umpire on Sep 13, 2007 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Dude, you need to get out more
I don't think I've seen Peyton Manning's face in about five years.
Wherever it is you think he's overexposed, it's some narrow demographic that you happen to line up with. Try watching C-Span or Lifetime or Animal Planet or PBS or Discovery Channel or Bravo, and I'm pretty sure you won't see Peyton Manning for a while.
Better yet, turn off the friggin' TV. Or at least get up and do something else during the commercials.
My job is to keep in tune with sports
I can't exactly avoid it.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Sep 13, 2007 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, quit complaining!
Jeez Louise!
Sorry
I'll immediately jump on a plane and fly to the next Colts game. They're playing Tennessee this weekend, right? Here I go!
by Tyler Bleszinski on Sep 13, 2007 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions
But you listed several brand names he pitches
You listed DirecTV by name instead of Dish Network, and Visa instead of Mastercard or Discover. Those companies don't particularly care about Peyton Manning; they are just using him as the vehicle to etch their brand name in the consumer's memory.
Sounds like the Manning commercials are very effective in the Blez household.
And as to danmerqury's reference to the "This Is Our Country" ads...does anyone not know what product and brand is being pitched in those? That song irritates me too, but it's an effective ad campaign.
Actually
if a company hits me too many times, I will often avoid it on purpose. I have cable for my TV and while I can't avoid Visa (you don't choose what brand your check card is), I will often avoid a place on purpose because of overexposure of their ads. Although I know I'm probably in the small minority on that.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Sep 13, 2007 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Solar Powered Turkey Choppers, right?
The one I like is
The one where he and Reggie Bush are staying the same hotel and keep sending random crap to eachothers rooms. For some unbelieveable stupid reason, that one cracks me up every time. Of course I am easily ammused.
As someone else said already, there are worse people we could be watching on every commercial under the sun. Immagine having to see Derek Jeter or A-Rod on every other commercial. Or worse, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Pamela Anderson, or Tiger Woods!!
Honestly, I could care less about football, so I guess that is why these commercials haven't bothered me that much. But now that you have mentioned it, I will start noticing it, and it will bug the hell out me! Thanks a lot! ;)
by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Sep 13, 2007 2:52 PM PDT reply actions
Sheesh
Our season has come to this :-(
by green star oakland on Sep 13, 2007 2:53 PM PDT reply actions
I'd like to see more of Tony Romo.
he'd probably
fumble what ever he was selling at the most worst possible time.
You know who'd be a great pitchman?
He Hate Me.
He's like the Gary Coleman of NFL endorsements. I know I would pay attention.
YES!
Now there's a man after my own heart.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Sep 13, 2007 5:17 PM PDT up reply actions
What should he sell?
This would make a fun little game. Pick a personality and the perfect item for them to endorse.
I agree with the others...
...that still like Manning. He pokes fun at himself for being a dork. That was the best way to put it.
It's a couple years old now, but the ad where he gets excited when a restaurant employee tosses him an apron, like a kid would get excited if a player tossed them a jersey, still cracks me up every time.
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