sportsfanIQ

This article was inspired by a close friend, one whose NFL opinion I have the utmost respect for.  Last week, while referring to Peyton Manning, he declared the following sentiment: “I think we’re witnessing the best ever.”

I digested his remark, while I demurred slightly with my reluctance to cast him as the “greatest” ever because of the advantageous nature of playing half his career in a dome, and contemplated it some more.

After further thought and a little research, I offer you my conclusion here.

This Sunday, in Super Bowl XLIV, Manning looks to capture his second championship.  If successful, he’ll join a quarterback class of multiple Super Bowl winners: Bart Starr, Bob Griese, Roger Staubach, Terry Bradshaw, Jim Plunkett, Joe Montana, Troy Aikman, John Elway, Tom Brady, and Ben Roethlisberger. 

Of course, holding multiple Super Bowl trophies doesn’t automatically grant a quarterback the title of “greatest of all time.”  If it did, Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw, who each possess four Lombardi Trophies, would already be awarded this honor.  It is needed, however, as qualification for the conservation.

Regardless of the skills required to excel at the position, there are telling statistics that jump off the page when analyzing a quarterback.  Since all quarterbacks are made differently, comparisons using the standard metrics of touchdowns and interceptions, or even yards thrown, are hopeless endeavors. 

Instead, there are more indicative numbers that shall benefit our discussion. 

To begin with, because I raised the issue of Peyton Manning’s home field advantage, it would stand to reason that we should assess the other half of his career, as well as other Super Bowl winning quarterbacks, on the road.    

Here are the most notables. 

The first number represents each quarterback’s road winning percentage, followed by their playoff road record, then finally the number of road championship games they’ve won:

Montana—0.747, 2-4, 1
Brady—0.683, 2-3, 2
Manning—0.635, 2-4, 0
Roethlisberger—0.605, 3-0, 1
Bradshaw—0.500, 2-3, 1
Aikman—0.469, 2-4, 1
Elway—0.461, 3-3, 2

According to this measure, Manning doesn’t even crack the top two, especially because he’s yet to win a road championship game (he’s 0-1).  But these numbers do not tell the whole story.   

There are also the quarterback ratings for the same group, both home and away, which in some cases provide evidence of successful play, regardless of the outcome.   

They are as follows:

                       Home          Away
Manning            89.9          112.6
Roethlisberger    98.2          103.2
Montana           76.2           90.2
Brady              109.2           81.7
Elway              118.1           65.2
Aikman             90.8            36.5
Bradshaw          N/A            N/A

Judging by these numbers, Manning not only successfully orchestrates his offense at home, he marches them down the field to a tune of 23 more points on the road. 

But before we move on to the clinching statistic that will unveil our verdict, let’s appease those who desire the basics. 

Out of our seven quarterbacks being scrutinized, for their careers, Manning’s thrown 66 more TDs than second place Elway, almost 10,000 more yards than second place Montana, holds a point and a half higher completion percentage (64.8) than the rest of the pack, and leads everyone in QB rating with a 95.2. 

Nevertheless, the most convincing achievement is Manning’s ability to produce in the fourth quarter, both when trailing or tied. 

Manning’s QB rating when his Colts are trailing is a 109.9; when tied it’s a 108.8.  And although Joe Montana has the highest QB rating when his teams were tied (113.9), he had a 71.6 rating when they were trailing, which helps illustrate Manning’s worthiness. 

What’s more, even John Elway, who had a knack for leading two-minute-drive comebacks, posted a career 84.2 when his Broncos were behind.   

So in conclusion, it isn’t the fact that Peyton Manning can step up to the line, recognize the defense, and then call an appropriate play that makes him the leader at his position.  It’s that he executes and embodies the entire essence of what a quarterback is: intelligence, accuracy, arm strength, devotion to chemistry with teammates, and of course, an understanding of the defense.    

The Indianapolis Colts have won 12 games for seven consecutive seasons.  Whether they’re behind, tied, on the road or in a dome, they can always turn to their general—Peyton Manning.  

If he can seize his second Super Bowl on Sunday evening, he will become, at least for now, “the greatest of all time.” 

As the Jets stunned the San Diego Chargers 17-14 on Sunday, thus propelling them into an AFC Championship clash with the Indianapolis Colts, I was reminded of my number one sports' philosophy: when you don't have a rooting interest in a game, and live within 45 miles of a particular team, you have little reason not to support that team when they are making a run at a title.

In 2007, I had a sports' dilemma of deciding between cheering for a historic witnessing of a Patriots' 19-0 season, or a hometown championship shocker for the New York Giants.  I chose the latter and was rewarded with one of the most memorable Super Bowls ever.

Now, just two years later, the 2009 New York Jets are officially vying for my fan hood, if only temporarily.  

Before I support my position, allow me to rebut any claim of "jumping on the bandwagon."  Because according to my definition, jumping on the bandwagon consists of pretending to understand forty years of disappointment.  

I shall not even begin to make such a naive stance. 

Instead, it's my belief that, as a fan, witnessing your team capture a championship is exhilarating and should be felt by all.  I'm not attempting to live vicariously through a Jets' Super Bowl victory; I only intend to pool my energies together with the diehards in the hopes of bringing something magical to their lives.  

As for the J-E-T-S, who have the unfortunate shared-occupancy lifestyle, there are many that have hatred for their fans.  

Why?

To those that do, do you honestly feel your methods of celebrating are any more sophisticated, or humble than others?  I'm here to inform you that they are not.

Sure, there's the exception to every rule, but as a majority, all fans are obnoxious in their own way and probably hated on some level by any opposing counter.  It's every fans' right. (And for that matter, every fan has the right to root for a local team for the sake of wanting to cast jubilation upon them.) 

Even as a Yankees' fan, I know the arrogance that exudes from the pores of 55,000 New Yorkers as a Boston Red Sox takes the field at Yankee Stadium.  Sports are about passion and subjectivity; I'm not denying that.

I am, rather, requesting that as a passionate sports fan, you remove your guard and cheer for your local fan base as if it were your own.  I promise it'll be worth it.

But here's the key to maximizing the experience:

Don't pretend to be one of the crowd.  Just stand afar from the pack, yet still engulfing your emotions in the battle. 

Perhaps Jets' fans do not want your support.  Fine.  But offer it anyway.  If you're at a bar with a friend who happens to be living and dying with every play call, slap him a high five when his team does well.  Don't, however, offer commiseration when his team doesn't.

I've had good fortune with my sports' interests.  And for that, some might argue that it's easy for me to lay such a ludicrous expectation on others. 

If that's the case, then so be it. 

But I'll admit to one secret.  Prior to 2004, it was my feeling that even a Boston Red Sox fan should have the satisfaction of being overwhelmed with the joy of a title. (For the record, though, I never thought they should be treated to two.)

So regardless of if your team wins nothing in twenty years, or three in four, do the right thing. 

For every enthusiastic sports fan that hopes this year's the year his team will bring it home, root for them. 

For the guy you grew up with, the one you haven't seen in fifteen years but always could remember his fan hood, root for them. 

For the guy you see around town sporting the worn out local hat, root for them.  

For the couple who own season tickets, tailgate to every home game, and raise their children to one day do the same, root for them. 

For the elderly fan that waves the sign that reads, "Now I can die in peace," root for them. 

For the grown men who plan on crying when their team finally wins it all, root for them. 

Come this Sunday, even if you believe the Jets, Colts, Saints, or Vikings have little chance in their respective games because you do not bleed the colors they wear, but live within ear shot of their battle cries, root for them. 

Frankly, what do you have to lose?    

So the Yankees are again World Series Champions of baseball.  After finishing off the, previously, defending World Series Champions in six games, the Bombers from the Bronx brought back a title that was beginning to seem elusive.

We know what the critics are saying: "It's been nine whole years since the poor Yankees last tasted victory."

And in some respect, it's true.  

Fans of the New York Yankees are spoiled to be given a competitive team year in and year out.  But so what.  Fans of other teams are simply resentful and jealous that it isn't their team attempting to win every title.

But wait a second.  The Yankees don't win every title.  So what's all the fuss about?

Just because the Yankees spend money to win - you know, the whole point of sports in the first place - doesn't guarantee them a title (as the last nine years have proven).

Personally, there are friends in my life that are Red Sox fans, Phillies fans and Mets fans.  But bitterness is never a flavor I experience.  Maybe it's because, up until last night, four titles in five years provided me with a palate immune to resentment.

When the Red Sox won their first title, this writer was respectful of their championship, even though they did it in historic fashion over the Yankees.  

When the Phillies theirs, same thing.  Even when the Mets, a team situated on a fellow-neighboring borough of Manhattan, fell one pitch away from making an appearance in the World Series, I rooted the Metropolitans on.  

It's my feeling that every fan should have the opportunity to experience the taste of victory.

Five years later, and two championships, you would think Red Sox fans would have the decency to sit back quietly, respecting what it takes to win it all. 

But no.

Let's keep things in perspective here.  The Sox sought Alex Rodriguez.  They dangled large amounts of money (although seemingly not enough) in the eyes of Mark Teixeira.  And don't dare claim they didn't want CC Sabathia this off season.

But because they couldn't wrangle them in, they're once again bitter.

The adage goes: It isn't a rivalry until both teams win.  

Well, now that the Sox have captured their glory, and the Yankees once again theirs, the battle resumes.

But we digress.

For now, the New York Yankees are champions.  

In six games, the best team of 2009 showed what it took to win.  No one made predictions.  They simply went out and played ball.  They hit, they pitched, they fielded, and they did it all with purpose.

Say what you may about the boys from the Bronx.  But if your team woke up today as World Series Champions, I would say congratulations!