Thanksgiving Stuffing

Hell of an offense, wouldn't you say?

First, the Colts demolish the Chicago Bears last week, 41-10, then blast the Lions into oblivion, matching the same point output, with a 41-9 victory.

Did the Colts sneak in a defense when I wasn't looking?

Well, no.

All that happened in those two games was that the Bears' and Lions' offenses are more lethargic than the security officers at a Detroit/Indiana basketball game.

Still, watching Peyton Manning at the line of scrimmage is a sight to behold. He gestures, stomps his foot, backs up from behind center and yells something to Edgerrin James or shouts over to Brandon Stokley.

The opposing defense tries not to pay attention, because it could be a real audible or he might just be blowing smoke.

Manning threw six touchdown passes against the Lions, while I was filling my belly with good eatings. He tossed three to Marvin Harrison and three to Stokley. We'll never know how many he may have thrown that game as he took a rest at the end of the third quarter.

Manning also sat out the fourth quarter of the Chicago Bears game, the week before.

Whether Manning is pulling your chain or if he's really calling that audible, the outcome is still the same. Touchdown pass after touchdown pass.

It seems there's just not much you can do about it. That is, unless you're the New England Patriots.

We're all aware that Manning is on pace to destroy the single season touchdown passing record set by Dan Marino. Barring an injury, which is unlikely, because Manning never gets touched with the superior offensive line the Colts have, he'll have that record in three games, if not sooner.

If you talk to Peyton Manning about the record he's about to set, he will be quick to downplay it.

"I feel uncomfortable talking about anything individual. I just want to win.", the humble Colts' quarterback said.

Usually, I don't listen to players who say things like that, because they are usually trained by public relations people to pretend they care about the team first. It's different with Manning. I listen and I believe him, because that is truly the type of player he is.

I have seen him with the opportunity to toss another touchdown pass, when he has driven his team to the red zone, adding to his total, but he will very happily and without a second thought, hand it off to James for the score.

Unfortunately, the season comes down to the team that is hoisting up the trophy in Jacksonville at the end of the year and as much as I wish the outcome would be different, it won't be Peyton Manning.

John Madden, during the Colts/Kansas City Chiefs' game, this past Monday, said exactly what I had been thinking for some time now.

Manning is like Dan Marino and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is like Joe Montana.

Truer words have never been said.

Marino would put up numbers like you wouldn't believe and made a great fantasy football play, just like Manning does. Joe Montana did not have the strongest arm, but played solid enough, as does Tom Brady, to put up good numbers and, well...

Win Super Bowls.

I am in no way criticizing Manning or Dan Marino. In fact, the Dolphins of Marino's era and the 49'ers of Montana's era are about the same as today's Colts and Patriots.

The Dolphins had no defense, as the Colts have no defense.

The 49'ers had respectable offense and a great defense, as do the Patriots of today.

Tony Dungy, head coach of the Colts, must find a way to stop good teams from scoring against his defense or the Colts will find themselves turning into perennial playoff losers.

For example, teams like the upstart Pittsburgh Steelers, a Kansas City squad with Priest Holmes in the lineup and, of course, the mighty New England Patriots can and will outscore the Colts.

Without a defense to stop his opposition, Manning becomes just another great quarterback, without a ring.

It pains me to say that, because a title is what Manning so richly deserves, but there's a guy who deserves it more. In fact, deserves it again. Tom Brady, who has decent weapons on offense, but nowhere near the players Manning has, still finds a way to put up points, but, more importantly, wins the games that matter.

Now, Manning will likely win the MVP award for the numbers he has put up and I wouldn't argue when he does.

But, I was also considering the fact that if and when Manning plays New England in the the playoffs and loses, then Brady goes on to win another title, should Manning be MVP?

Well, the result will be a Manning MVP win, regardless of my opinion, and this time he will not have to share it with Tennessee Titans' quarterback Steve McNair.

However, the actual "Most Valuable Player", in my eyes, will be Tom Brady, who, when all is said and done, gets it done.