dragondawg
09-27-2007, 08:11 PM
Peyton has put Broncos in place
Colts’ QB near perfect in last three meetings
By Brian Howell
The Daily Times-Call
ENGLEWOOD — The task ahead of the Denver Broncos this week is simple: stop Peyton Manning.
While the Indianapolis Colts run the ball well, the key is always finding a way to slow down Manning, the team’s future Hall of Fame quarterback.
“It’s Peyton,” Broncos defensive end Simeon Rice. “As much as they throw the ball and the way he controls that offense, there’s no question (he’s the key).”
Now in his 10th NFL season, Manning is well on his way to Canton, Ohio. He’s got seven 4,000-yard seasons (by comparison, former Broncos great John Elway had one). He’s got 280 touchdown passes (Elway had 300 in 16 seasons). And, his career passing rating is 94.6 (Elway’s was 79.8).
“He’s good at everything,” Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler said of Manning. “You watch the guy, and he’s always in control. He always has the defense guessing, and he always knows what the defense is doing.”
That’s what makes playing the Colts so difficult, and it’s a big reason why the Broncos have been pounded the last three times they’ve faced Manning.
Not counting a Jan. 2, 2005, meeting, when Manning played just one series in a regular season game that was meaningless for the Colts, Indy is 3-0 while scoring 41.3 points per game in the last three meetings — two of them in the playoffs.
“We’ve just had really good execution the past couple times we’ve played them,” Manning said. “We’ve just kind of gotten hot at the right times and just been able to click pretty well in the passing game.”
Pretty well? Manning has completed 81 of 98 passes (82.7 percent) for 1,179 yards, 12 touchdowns and one interception in his past three full performances against Denver. His passer rating in those games is 152.13, just shy of a perfect rating (158.33).
“He’s been through some ups and downs,” Cutler said. “Now, he’s just on a level by himself. It’s fun to watch.”
Unless you’re on the other side of the field, of course. Denver has had a heck of a time dealing with Manning, as most teams have, but is hoping to turn that around this week.
“I believe in our personnel,” Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil said.”I think we’ve got the talent to beat those guys. It’s not going to be easy.”
Despite his recent past against the Broncos, Manning certainly doesn’t expect an easy game.
“They’re very athletic and they cover a lot of ground,” Manning said of the Broncos’ defense. “Their linebackers are arguably three of the fastest linebackers in the league. Their players allow them to get to the ball real quickly.”
The Broncos are hoping they can get to Manning quickly. Throughout his career, Manning’s intelligence and quick release have made him tough to sack. In his career, he’s been sacked just 1.2 times per game (Elway was sacked 2.2 times a game).
This season, Manning has been brought down just three times.
“I’ve only played against him once, but his release has got to be up there,” said Rice, who is one of the top sack artists in league history. “Rich Gannon got rid of the ball quick, and so did Dan Marino.”
In the past three meetings with Manning, the Broncos have sacked him just once.
“I got close to him a couple times (last year), but he has such a quick release,” said Dumervil, who leads the team with four sacks. “I’m trying to work on making quicker moves to get to him. I’m excited to get him down a couple times, hopefully.”
Dumervil is only in his second year, but said Manning is the toughest to sack that he’s seen so far.
“You have to be sharp against him,” Dumervil said. “You have to play your best game. Everybody has to be focused and in tune.”
As Manning has proven many times, however, sometimes even that’s not enough.
“I’m not sure if you can play much better than he’s playing,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said.
http://www.timescall.com/sports_story.asp?id=3703
Colts’ QB near perfect in last three meetings
By Brian Howell
The Daily Times-Call
ENGLEWOOD — The task ahead of the Denver Broncos this week is simple: stop Peyton Manning.
While the Indianapolis Colts run the ball well, the key is always finding a way to slow down Manning, the team’s future Hall of Fame quarterback.
“It’s Peyton,” Broncos defensive end Simeon Rice. “As much as they throw the ball and the way he controls that offense, there’s no question (he’s the key).”
Now in his 10th NFL season, Manning is well on his way to Canton, Ohio. He’s got seven 4,000-yard seasons (by comparison, former Broncos great John Elway had one). He’s got 280 touchdown passes (Elway had 300 in 16 seasons). And, his career passing rating is 94.6 (Elway’s was 79.8).
“He’s good at everything,” Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler said of Manning. “You watch the guy, and he’s always in control. He always has the defense guessing, and he always knows what the defense is doing.”
That’s what makes playing the Colts so difficult, and it’s a big reason why the Broncos have been pounded the last three times they’ve faced Manning.
Not counting a Jan. 2, 2005, meeting, when Manning played just one series in a regular season game that was meaningless for the Colts, Indy is 3-0 while scoring 41.3 points per game in the last three meetings — two of them in the playoffs.
“We’ve just had really good execution the past couple times we’ve played them,” Manning said. “We’ve just kind of gotten hot at the right times and just been able to click pretty well in the passing game.”
Pretty well? Manning has completed 81 of 98 passes (82.7 percent) for 1,179 yards, 12 touchdowns and one interception in his past three full performances against Denver. His passer rating in those games is 152.13, just shy of a perfect rating (158.33).
“He’s been through some ups and downs,” Cutler said. “Now, he’s just on a level by himself. It’s fun to watch.”
Unless you’re on the other side of the field, of course. Denver has had a heck of a time dealing with Manning, as most teams have, but is hoping to turn that around this week.
“I believe in our personnel,” Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil said.”I think we’ve got the talent to beat those guys. It’s not going to be easy.”
Despite his recent past against the Broncos, Manning certainly doesn’t expect an easy game.
“They’re very athletic and they cover a lot of ground,” Manning said of the Broncos’ defense. “Their linebackers are arguably three of the fastest linebackers in the league. Their players allow them to get to the ball real quickly.”
The Broncos are hoping they can get to Manning quickly. Throughout his career, Manning’s intelligence and quick release have made him tough to sack. In his career, he’s been sacked just 1.2 times per game (Elway was sacked 2.2 times a game).
This season, Manning has been brought down just three times.
“I’ve only played against him once, but his release has got to be up there,” said Rice, who is one of the top sack artists in league history. “Rich Gannon got rid of the ball quick, and so did Dan Marino.”
In the past three meetings with Manning, the Broncos have sacked him just once.
“I got close to him a couple times (last year), but he has such a quick release,” said Dumervil, who leads the team with four sacks. “I’m trying to work on making quicker moves to get to him. I’m excited to get him down a couple times, hopefully.”
Dumervil is only in his second year, but said Manning is the toughest to sack that he’s seen so far.
“You have to be sharp against him,” Dumervil said. “You have to play your best game. Everybody has to be focused and in tune.”
As Manning has proven many times, however, sometimes even that’s not enough.
“I’m not sure if you can play much better than he’s playing,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said.
http://www.timescall.com/sports_story.asp?id=3703