So I just read about two contracts that are quite frankly, unheard of. They are being proposed to two players that are masters at their prospective crafts. I witnessed one for all but the first month of, and last two weeks of the season. In person, at Yankee stadium, in the bleachers, draped with Twins gear, I saw him hit a 402 foot blast to center with a swing so effortless I immediately got pelted with water bottles. It was shear jealousy. The second, I had the pleasure of watching for an entire 60 minutes, completely stay positive when threatened, calmly dissect his opponent, and strike with four straight blows so lethal, the team barely moved post intermission. The first: Joe Mauer. The second: Peyton. Their contracts as follows...
Mauer was reportedly proposed a ten year deal. Ten Years! What is this, hockey? Soccer? Does he deserve this? Well initially, I thought yes. Hey, in his twilight year's he could still swing a sweet stick, even if the power stroke is gone. But he'll still rake somewhat because he's got a swing like Junior. But, then the ol' noodle got to churning. How healthy will Mr. Everything be when he's 36. I mean he did just get back surgery, and he is a catcher so one can only wonder. I love you Joe, but we might have to give you the Vlad treatment. So in that case, I say please, please resign him by Opening Day (which they will), and make it for 6 years. That gives a solid core of the M & M boys squared to see if they can win one for Kirby. Outcome 6 years- $110 million
Now Peyton is a different monster all together. Unquestionably will go down as the greatest QB ever, but the question is will he go down as Elway, or Favre? By this I mean will he go down winning and becoming a leader and teammate. Or will he go out gun slinging, although with diminished skills, still attempting to win it all on his own. Even though he has one of the best up and coming receivers in the game (Rice/Garcon), a game changer (Percy/Wayne), Hard nose runner (AP/Addai), and a killer defense! So the choice is up to him. I believe he'll conform to the team around him and continue to lead by example. I will say this. Two years from now, they better draft a solid QB for him to groom. I think Peyton is a smart enough player to know when his time has come. Maybe not though. Maybe he'll pull a Montana and almost hurt his legacy ala Joe Cool's formidable Cheif years. We just don't know.
But I do know this, this is all just wistlin' dixie because the real reason to ooh and aah over someone else's upgrade will really get you giratin' come summer. Three letters. LBJ.
As I end this I will leave you with this to ponder: If Georgetown beat Duke, and ODU beat Georgetown, then ODU could beat Duke right? Little baby Jesus please let us meet in the dance? This is all I ask of you.
10 year contracts are rare in baseball, but happen there than any other sport. 7-8 seems the max norm, and just saying that because that was El Hombre's last contract. Think we need to call vegas to get a line for consecutive comments that I mention him once.
ReplyDeleteEven though the dollar amount makes me squimish, he deserves it. What surprises me more are your Boys paying it.
Peyton is going to get a killer deal. Up until this year, I always thought Brady was a slightly better QB. Here is why. Before Moss and Welker, his best reciever was Deion Branch, and if he was that good, he would have been better in Seattle. This was the first season Manning didn't have much to work with. Of course they had Wayne and Clarke, but no running game. he made Garcon and Collie look like studs. The opinion needle is starting to shift towards manning now, but I'd like to see what he could do with Brady's recieving corps from years back.
The great thing about Manning is where he places the ball. it's not always in the breadbasket like Warner's heydays with the greatest show on turf. There has never been a better QB at throwing to the WR on the money without the guy slowing down or speeding up. What Manning does so darn efficiently, discounting placing the ball high on certain coverage situations, he throws the ball in about a 3' radius around the person. A more difficult catch, but crucial going against blitzing teams. And the NFL ain't easy.
Very interesting thought on Manning handling Brady's old sack of nobody's. But I think you just answered your question. Looking at what Manning did with Gonzalez last year, and Garcon and Collie this year I believe he definately could have dominated with veteran wideouts. Remember all thses kids were/are Rookies. I knew having your incite would be a positive to this blog. Nice touch. Dare I call you Manning?
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