NFL Comeback Player of the Year race: Peyton Manning versus Adrian Peterson

When is the last time people were this divided over a Comeback Player of the Year race? Usually this is a pretty cut and simple decision but Denver Broncos’ quarterback Peyton Manning and Minnesota Vikings’ running back Adrian Peterson have made this year’s Comeback Player of the Year award an actual race.

It’s hard to remember when two names as big as Manning and Peterson were both in the running for the award. While Manning has been having a monster year after missing all of the 2011 season, Peterson is having his best ever season statistically during a time when he should be still recovering.

Don’t test him: Peyton Manning’s arm isn’t what makes him dangerous

Sure Denver Broncos’ quarterback Peyton Manning threw three interceptions against the Atlanta Falcons’ paltry defense and struggled with his accuracy on deep throws. Truth be told, people were foolish to think that his arm strength would fully return so soon after being cleared to resume playing.

Or to assume that it would completely return. There is the possibility that we will never see the old Manning who had the ability to make those deep throws he attempted on Monday but people are missing the big picture.

Jim Harbaugh’s lie could tarnish his reputation with his players

I’ve heard coaches stretch the truth, avoid questions they don’t want to answer and even “interpret” a question differently in order to give the response they want but it always bothers me when a coach just flat out lies to the media.

San Francisco 49ers’ head coach Jim Harbaugh addressed what he called an “erroneous perception that we were flirting with Peyton Manning,” in a meeting with reporters on Wednesday. How sad is that?

Peyton Manning’s teaching skills are overrated

Denver Broncos’ players and coaches have raved about Peyton Manning’s teaching skills and leadership ability during the team’s OTAs. Manning has spent a lot of time during the team’s practices instructing players on how he plans to run the offense.  

This is one of the reasons why wide receivers play so well under Manning’s leadership. He makes sure they are in the right place at the right time and helps them to see what he sees on the field.

Too bad his teaching skills don’t extend to backup quarterbacks or running backs.

Broncos’ Brock Osweiler victim of unfair stereotype

Who says that a tall quarterback can’t be successful in the NFL? It seems to go against logic that having height like the Denver Broncos’ Brock Osweiler would be a detriment to his success as a quarterback.

Osweiler is 6’7” which makes it much easier for him to see over the defense compared to the average quarterback who normally stands about 6’2”. On top of that, he has longer arms and a higher delivery which makes it harder for defensive linemen to bat down his passes.

Denver Broncos’ rushing attack will go from first to worst under Manning

Let’s face it. Low rushing totals are a byproduct of the pass-friendly league that is now the NFL. Teams pass so much now that it seems like they sometimes forget to run the ball.

This is especially true of teams that have a signal-caller the quality of a Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers or a Drew Brees. Manning who usually called his own plays as quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts was definitely guilty of this and will bring the same tendencies to the Denver Broncos.

Colts’ Jim Irsay improving Ryan Tannehill’s draft stock?

Indianapolis Colts’ owner Jim Irsay tweeted on Wednesday that teams wanting Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill better trade up to the Minnesota Vikings’ third spot to get him. Irsay called Tannehill a "hidden gem" in this year’s draft.

Denver Broncos may face bad karma because of Elway

We know that front office types don’t like to tip their hand as to what moves they are attempting to make, especially when it comes to personnel decisions. Flat out lying to your fan base is a whole different situation though.

6 possible destinations for Tim Tebow

With Peyton Manning due to sign with the Denver Broncos, Tim Tebow’s time in Denver has pretty much come to an end. John Elway is set to ship Tebow out of Denver and will probably give him away for virtually nothing to any team that shows interest. So what five teams would be willing to trade for Tebow?

Elway closes the deal with Peyton Manning signing

I see why John Elway was so successful as a car salesman. Elway who had a very successful chain of car dealerships in the Denver area (and a few other locations) before selling them off and joining the Denver Broncos front office made the biggest signing of the offseason by convincing Peyton Manning to join the Broncos.

Will Peyton Manning choose money or rings?

The Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers are the last three teams left in the Peyton Manning sweepstakes and are expecting him to make a decision by Tuesday. All three teams have made a strong pitch for Manning’s services but what will be the deciding factor for Manning in his search for a new team?

Manning gamble doesn’t pay off for Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins received a little bad news from Peyton Manning yesterday as he informed the Dolphins that he wouldn’t be signing with them. Before deciding to chase Manning, the Dolphins were considered front-runners for Matt Flynn’s services so they have to be concerned that Flynn has extended his visit with the Seattle Seahawks.

Peyton Manning’s ‘Decision’ determines fate of three quarterbacks

As NFL fans everywhere await to see where quarterback Peyton Manning will land, Kevin Kolb, Matt Hasselbeck and Tim Tebow in particular await his decision for more personal reasons: because their jobs are in the balance.

Dolphins, Jets feel Manning best weapon to dethrone Patriots

There’s an arms race going on in the AFC East. With Peyton Manning’s release from the Indianapolis Colts, teams around the league have visions of becoming an instant competitor by signing the 14-year vet to lead their offenses.

Peyton Manning’s legacy already a burden on Andrew Luck

Good luck Andrew Luck, you’re going to need it. I’m pretty sure he already knows that it’s going to take more than having the word “luck” in his name and a horseshoe on his helmet for Luck to make the Indianapolis Colts as successful as his predecessor did.

Can the Cardinals win with Kevin Kolb?

The Arizona Cardinals’ fortunes are tied very heavily to their quarterback situation. When Kurt Warner was their starter they won. When Derek Anderson or Matt Leinert started they lost. When John Skelton started they went 5-2 (not including a win against the San Francisco 49ers that Skelton orchestrated after Kevin Kolb went down early in the first quarter) but interestingly enough they were only 2-6 when Kolb took most of the snaps in a game.

Super Bowl Episode (February 4th) of Pro Sports Lives

Here is the repost of the Pro Sports Live show I did with Gena, Mike, Parrish and ESPN's Jenna Mayo back on February 4th. Just click on the link below that says RHall on Pro Sports Lives 020412 and take a listen.

RHall_on_Pro_Sports_Lives_020412.mp3

Roosevelt Hall is an NFL Blogger for The Sport Mentalist and also writes for both The Penalty Flag and Outside The Redzone. He can be contacted at RHall_TPFB@Yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @sportmentalist and add him on Facebook Roosevelt Hall Thesportmentalist.

Colts’ Irsay Takes the Nuclear Option

Bill and Chris Polian? Gone! Jim Caldwell? Gone! As Indianapolis Colts’ owner Jim Irsay has gone with a total facelift for his franchise going into the 2012 season, it only makes sense that he will complete the makeover by trading away Peyton Manning.

Quarterback Controversy in Indianapolis?

We so-called “media sharks” (I got called that in a response to one of my previous stories) will more than likely take a major hit on this one but this debate is too tantalizing not to dip my toe in the water. Archie Manning has stated that his son Peyton Manning and future number-one-overall draft pick, Andrew Luck, do not want to be teammates.

Should Peyton Manning Risk Coming Back This Season?

I started to ask would Peyton Manning play this year if given the chance but we already know the answer to that. His Indianapolis Colts are dead last in the league having yet to win a game. Manning has been tormented all year watching the losses pile up; watching his teammates mope around with their heads bowed down week after week in the locker room after each game.