by Sean Boyce

Created on: January 31, 2007   Last Updated: December 30, 2010

Well, here we are. In just a few days, Peyton Manning will take the field with his Indianapolis Colts and attempt to do the one thing Dan Marino just couldn't get done. A lot of comparisons have been made between Marino and Manning over the course of the latter's career, and justifiably so. Peyton Manning is on his way to breaking many of the records Marino, himself, set. Whether some of those records are in Marino's possession remains to be seen as we await the final word from a Mr. Brett Favre, but nontheless, they will only be Brett's for a short while, as Manning's ascent to immortality is but a few years away, barring injury.

Back to the task at hand for Peyton. Right now he must face the once stifling defense parading under the moniker of "Monsters of the Midway". Led by another Middle Linebacker in the tradition of Butkus and Singletary. He is Brian Urlacher. Twenty weeks ago, when the season was young and yet to be played out, it appeared as though the Chicago Defense would walk away with the Halas and Lombardi trophies. Then we discovered that 300+ lineman needed bodyguards, and that even the mighty Bears Defense was not infallible to injury. Meanwhile, some two hours down the Interstate, Indianapolis continued to win. While they didn't always win pretty, or dramaticly, they still managed to be the most consistant outfit in the league from opening kick-off to their come from behind triumph over the favored New England Patriots.

Peyton Manning has overcome a lot this year. From the loss of his trusted sidekick, Edgerrin James (who defected to the Cardinals in one of last seasons biggest moves) to a porous defense that was one of the worst units against the run. Through it all, Manning has managed to overcome it all. What could have been a crowning achievement in it all, was the heroic 2nd half comeback over the Brady and Belichick show. Another question remains. Will the Super Bowl be anti-climatic in the wake of the AFC Championship victory?

But yes, the question still remains. Will Manning do what Marino didn't. Will he walk off that field, hoisting the Lombardi trophy, exclaiming he's going to take the couple hours drive north from Miami to Kissimmee and visit Mickey, Minnie, Goofey and the crew at Disney World? One would like to know that, and only time will tell. My money is on the Colts, raising up the glory past. The old spirits of Johnny U., Earl Morral, Big Daddy, Art Donovan, and the Horse, Alan Ameche will all come alive as Peyton, Marvin, Saturday and the boys celebrate late into the South Beach night as victors over the Chicago Bears.

My only regret for this game will be that Jerrad Peyton won't be able to score a TD for the old man. Sorry Walter.

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