January 17, 2006
The Ass

In watching the Indy Colts lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, I came away feeling very sorry for Colts head coach Tony Dungy who I admire greatly and have the utmost respect for. Especially given the death of Dungy’s son late in the season.

I also felt for the Colts fans who saw their 15-1 season go down in flames much as it did for the Vikings 15-1 season back in 1998-99. At least our team reached the NFC Championship game. The Colts didn’t even win one lousy playoff game....at home…against the #6 seed!

I actually relived that sinking feeling of despair as I watched the final seconds tick away in a very exciting playoff game. That moment when I turned to my wife in the Championship game against the Atlanta Falcons and whispered, “The air has left the balloon.”

It was a horrible feeling. One that left me thinking no matter what the Vikings did that day the team was simply destined to lose. But all the Vikings players played that day as a team and I still believe that it was coaching that lost that game for us, not the team. Such was not the case in Indy.

I have always detested Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. The Commish and I have had several debates over this since one of the things I dislike about Manning is the way he adds about 2-hours to any game by having to audible on each…..and every….play. Enough already! But I wander off topic.

The only thing I really have admired about Manning is the commercial where he follows grocery workers around begging for autographs and their work smocks. Classic! And that is where it stops for me. Oh sure, Manning says and does all the correct things when he is suppose to. Nevertheless it does not disqualify my estimation that Peyton….much like his younger brother Eli…is a spoiled little horror who thinks he's superior to everyone else and thinks his bust should be exalted on Mt. Olympus for all to pay reverence to.

Ever watch a Colts game? How many times have you seen Manning chastise an offensive lineman like a father taking a switch to the bottom of a five-year old? Then Manning saunters over to the bench to sit next to buddy Dallas Clark (who couldn’t carry Jermaine Wiggins’ jockstrap) and sits down with a smirk on his face that you’d just love to see Colts center Jeff Saturday knock off with a Jeff Christy to the face of Todd Steussie like slobber knocker. Point being, for Manning it’s all about him. He is an ass. Hell, he even loves showing his ass to others. Again, I digress.

Those are my observations over the years of watching Manning lose time and time again in a playoff game….which I attribute to his teammates not being willing to rally around a man who would just as soon sell you down the river. And at long last, Manning has shown all NFL fans his true colors.

I take you back to late in the third quarter of Sunday's failure to the Steelers. Facing fourth and two from their own 36 and trailing 21-3, head coach Tony Dungy sent in the punt team. And The Ass sent them back.

Point one: The Ass showed an unreserved disdain for the head coach, Tony Dungy. Dungy is one of the most respected head coaches in the game and The Ass thought himself more knowledgeable than his coach and his teammates. The Ass showed that he regards himself as superior to the coach. I could hear a deep chasm opening between The Ass and his teammates.

Then there was the press conference sound bite that the boys at FOX openly ripped The Ass for later in the day. During the post-game press conference The Ass tried to justify his failure to get the passing game going by passing the buck to his offensive linemen: "I'm trying to be a good teammate here. Let's just say we had some problems with protection."

As Terry Bradshaw alluded to, that comment was not only a slam on the offensive linemen but the coaching staff as well. And The Ass would have been better served by speaking with his mouth and not his rectum.

Final Score: I have absolutely no respect left for The Ass, little that I had. Fortunately for The Ass, he works for a man who has the biggest heart in the business. And The Ass should find a way to apologize.

And should Manning not change his colors next season, Saturday should find a way to land that previously mentioned blow to The Ass’ chin. The sooner, the better.

Posted by maasx003 at January 17, 2006 02:47 AM
Comments

Well I can't believe there is someone else on this planet that thinks the same about Peyton aka "the Ass" that I do. I know Tony said in the post game interview that "the Ass" could hear through the communication system that they were going for it. So there was no problem. Well I don't want to call Tony out because I think it's the type of problem he would rather solve behind closed doors, but his body language DID NOT say that he changed his mind and wanted to go for it. He looked absolutely furious.

Posted by: Lonnie at January 17, 2006 08:12 AM

I feel the same way about Peyton, although that commercial IS funny. My wife calls Peyton her boyfriend. I excuse her; she doesn't know enough about football to be held accountable to her words. (She calls Eli "cute". Psh.)

It's a shame for Dungy. He's such a good coach, and they have such a good team... a hard working, talented, humble QB and team leader could easily take the Colts further. Unfortunately, QBs like that are hard to come by.

I think it'd be hilarious if Peyton ended up on a different team with a leaky O-line and no reliable everydown back. Then he'd realize what he had in Indy.

Leaky O-line and no everydown back? Goodness, that sounds familiar...

Posted by: Peter at January 17, 2006 09:16 AM

My dislike of Big Baby (as opposed to his little brother Little Baby) stems back to 1997, when his college coach Fat Phil Fulmer and he, cried about BEST PLAYER EVER Charles Woodson winning the Heisman.

Archie was a relatively classy player, but he instilled a sense of entitlement into his sons, then pulled an Eric Lindros with the Chargers during the draft. I have to say that clearly the apples do not fall far from the tree.

I am glad that the teflon on this Big Baby is finally wearing off and the MSM is starting to see what a selfish baby this guy is.

May they continue to disappoint. BTW I think that they went 14-2 and 15-1, but in the end it is the same difference.

Posted by: J. Lichty at January 17, 2006 10:38 AM

When I read today's column I had to share it with my workmates. We had this discussion about Manning almost word for word yesterday. I also was apalled that he waved off the punting team on the 4th and 2. Is he now the GM/coach?
That missed field goal at the end...could this have been payoff for the rift two years earlier between Manning and Vanderjagt? How does the most accurate kicker in NFL history miss (horribly) a 46 yd field goal inside?
Manning got what he deserved...a reserved seat for the Super Bowl (in his own living room!

Posted by: Karen at January 17, 2006 12:38 PM

I fully agree with you in regard to waiving off the punt team. Whether you agree with Dungy's decision or not, he's the coach, and as such, he gets to make those decisions. Frankly, I couldn't believe Dungy let him get away with it. Can you imagine this happening on a Bill Parcells team, or a Joe Gibbs team? I lost some respect for both Manning and Dungy there.

I disagree with you, though, in regard to Manning's postgame comments. I really don't see what the big deal is. He didn't call out anyone on the offensive line or in the coaching staff, nor did he say it was the only reason they lost the game. He simply pointed out that they had some protection problems. Having watched the game, I thought that was incredibly obvious. I don't see why saying what everyone already knew, without blaming anyone, is so awful.

Posted by: Jeff A at January 17, 2006 03:59 PM

Jeff: Thanks for leaving a comment. Let me try and explain my point in which you disagree...that being Manning calling out his OL post game. Manning prides himself on being able to make the right play selection at the line. He audibles in and out of plays so much that I'm sure the linemen begin to fall asleep. Anyway, when making the audible, it is Manning's role then to assure the correct formation is called in order to max-protect the QB...is it not? So, for Manning to say there were "protection issues" is hypocritical....he was the one making the play selection!!!

Posted by: Mr. Cheer Or Die at January 17, 2006 04:20 PM

Cut that meat! Cut that meat! Cut that meat!

Remember that end-of-game cheer from the fans at Foxboro Stadium, not Gillette Stadium, a few years ago ? Classic!

Posted by: R. Wilk at January 17, 2006 04:50 PM
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