Orange Colored Glasses: of strip sacks and sore ankles
“Jacksonville provided the blueprint to Denver’s upcoming opponents: put Peyton Manning on the ground early and often – whether he has already thrown the ball or not.”
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Entering this season I was convinced that Peyton Manning would sit out at least three of the Broncos’ sixteen regular season games. As old as Manning is and as immobile as he is it was inevitable that number eighteen will get hit – a lot.
Over the past few weeks we have seen it happening.
Jacksonville provided the blueprint to Denver’s upcoming opponents: put Peyton Manning on the ground early and often – whether he has already thrown the ball or not. Without Ryan Clady protecting Manning’s blind side the old man is vulnerable. When he’s vulnerable he makes mistakes. Manning getting sacked and forced to fumble is becoming a weekly occurrence and I, for one, am beginning to worry.
Normally this column is about the previous game. Today it’s about Peyton Manning. Beating the San Diego Chargers was calculable. The Broncos went to California and did what we all knew they would do. But seeing Manning crumble to the ground, get up, yell at some officials and then collapse AGAIN was something that Broncos Country should find immensely concerning. More concerning, though, is the idea that he will refuse to miss any time.
The Broncos can beat Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs at Mile High next Sunday evening with Brock Osweiler under center – and that is precisely what they should attempt to do. Whatever Manning’s Monday MRI reveals, he is hurt and he needs to be not-hurt when the playoffs roll around. Allowing him to play on a gimpy ankle with even less mobility than he would ordinarily have against the attacking Chiefs defense would be a recipe for disaster. It would lead to turnovers and more pain for Peyton Manning – possibly even causing him to miss the Patriots game and the Broncos road game.
As Peyton Manning goes so goes the Broncos. It’s incredibly important that our gunslinger be prepared for the playoffs. His health has got to be a high priority – higher even than winning the AFC West. It can be argued that the Broncos will need the bye to start the post-season but I feel it’s even more crucial than Manning be given week eleven off to heal.
Sore ankles are one thing. A more severe injury is another. For the Broncos to expose Manning to that risk while he is still unable to move well enough to avoid taking big hits would be a mistake.
