The angles of analysis have been virtually exhausted on the Peyton Manning, Tom Brady rivalry. These are two of the greatest to have ever laced them up. Maybe the greatest two, to ever lace them up. This argument used to go differently, but over time we've all become prisoners of the moment, and at this moment, these guys appear to be as good as we've seen. They've littered the record books and still they continue to pile on. Manning is coming to the end and must go out with a bang.When Shannon Sharpe sat in studio next to one of the greatest we've ever seen, and proceeded to rant that the greatest quarterbacks have all won Superbowl's, I knew that the enslavement had spread among we prisoners of the moment. Charles Barkley. Karl Malone. John Stockton. Some really great players have simply missed out on drinking from the cup.
However, Shannon forgot the last guy that used to keep this argument alive. Seated two chairs away from Shannon Sharpe in studio every week (for years) is Dan Marino. Even the great John Elway did not begin to surpass Dan Marino in mystique until long after both had finished playing and prisoners of the moment (like Sharpe) began to declare the necessity of championships. The Terrell Davis argument did, and still does, keep some from respecting the greatness of Elway, yet Marino was a singular example of the non-championship quarterback that used to always maintain a firm spot in the top 5 of all time quarterbacks. Not only have Manning and Brady forced Marino deeper on the list, they have forced Shannon Sharpe to forget his friend and legend on the same television show. (After the rant, when stupid Shannon's eyes met Marino's, he tried his best to clean it up)The great Joe Montana is seldom placed second to anyone, so it is likely that Elway could fall behind Brady and Manning, especially if Manning secure's his place in the argument. In other words, his current championship ring won't quite do it, but two or even three could put Manning firmly into the 'best ever' debate for years to come. Brady probably has already done enough, but finishing his career with a cherry or two will sweeten the narrative.
Being alive in the day that Dan Marino is now just another dude is a telling statement of more than just my advanced years. The generation that the old guys inspired is currently inspiring the next wave of legends, because records are made to be broken and legends are made to become foot pegs in the ladder of legends. Several impressive young quarterbacks will certainly chase the record book despite the fingerprint that defenses keep placing on the league because quarterbacks these days are putting up numbers in their first year. Manning, Elway and Brady grew into greatness.
Win or lose the AFC Championship or the Superbowl, Brady and Manning are
still two incredible legends of the NFL. Their mystique is great and will only grow greater as they fade into the sunset and become a part of lore.
And then one day they will become pegs in the ladder just like Marino.
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