Does a first ballot Hall of Fame quarterback need redemption? Apparently so. And he’s not the only one.
Even the Patriots’ fans I talk to grimace when considering the worst case scenario for Peyton Manning; a blind side sack that leaves him crumpled and motionless. For life. It may be unlikely and perhaps it’s only an echo of our longstanding feelings of antipathy toward Manning. After all, Manning was always the Loki to Tom Brady’s Thor for those of us in New England. Perhaps we can’t help but think of bad things happening to Manning. Still, it seems to me that while none of us has as much skin in this game as Jim Irsay, we’re all watching Manning in Denver with anticipation.
Early reports from OTA’s say Manning’s arm strength is back. A career-average Peyton Manning would put the Broncos in the Super Bowl conversation. After all, AFC West teams brought home report cards from 2011 with C- grades and a note from the teacher that read, “Fails to work up to potential.” San Diego made no significant changes other than losing their #1 wide receiver. Oakland seems to believe that Carson Palmer can be that which he has yet to be.
Kansas City’s Matt Cassel also has some ‘splaining to do. Was it just that Todd Haley was an emotionally distant Dad with anger management issues? Will sensitive son Matt Cassel flourish under kindly Uncle Head Coach Romeo Crennel? (Am I the first to notice that “Cassel” and “Crennel” both start with “C” and both end with and “el” following double consonants? That’s got to mean something, doesn’t it? No? Okay. Moving on.) Cassel has failed to leverage his Elvis Year in New England until now. This looks like his last chance to avoid being anything other than a footnote in the life story of Bill Belichick.
The flipside of the Manning story is Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts. For those that believe the Colts’ problems were endemic and that even with Manning they would’ve struggled to make the playoffs (like myself) it will be interesting to see how Luck reacts to getting booed for the first time in his life. But that’s a redemption story for another season.
Can RG III restore Mike Shanahan’s good name? Shanahan’s success with Jake Plummer, Brian Griese and Jay Cutler has been undervalued, perhaps, but clearly the consensus of Pigskin Pundits and Bobbleheads is that Shanahan has struggled to find success post-Elway. The inexplicable support for John Beck in 2011 only further tarnished his reputation. I like RG III but I don’t think he’s Cam Newton 2.0. Expect to see Mike Shanahan’s Punched in the Face by Fate Face again this season.
The Chicago Bears as a team are looking for redemption, having started the 2011 season 7-3-0 before succumbing to a perfect pigskin storm of injuries. Jay Cutler and newcomer Brandon Marshall are cast in the leading roles; a reunion redemption story. Cutler and Marshall had success together in Denver and new offensive coordinator likes the long ball. The Lions and Packers have made moves to improve their mediocre pass defenses but it may not be enough if Marshall stays on his meds and away from sharp objects.
Speaking of maintaining an even strain, Randy Moss 3.0 has been in 2007 form so far for the 49ers. Will it last past the realization that Niners QB Alex Smith was serious when he said he doesn’t care about passing yards? I would’ve liked Randy’s comeback chances a lot more with the Bears. Or the Rams.
Randy Moss paired with Danny Amendola (AKA Wes Welker, Jr.) might’ve helped Sam Bradford put his game back on track. Then again, perhaps rookie wideout is a safer bet than Moss. Suffice to say with new head coach Jeff Fisher’s Mustache in charge that expectations for the Rams and their former #1 pick will be high. For the moment, Bradford’s career arc is tracking dangerously close to that of Tim Couch.
The Jets took a step back last year, finishing 8-8-0 and out of the playoffs for the first time in the Rex Ryan era. They responded by saying “no thanks” to Peyton Manning, traded for trending QB and Jesus’ BFF Tim Tebow, then drafting two of the high risk/high reward prospects in the draft, DE Quinton Coples and WR Stephen Hill. Upside is irresistible. While we’re here, how many more times do you think Mark Sanchez will need to say, “I’m the leader of the New York Jets” before he actually believes it?
Buffalo will be in the hunt for a playoff spot, perhaps at the Jets expense, and DE Mario Williams is a big reason why. It still seems odd to me that Houston let Williams walk and that he made just the one trip to Buffalo. As for retribution there are plenty of subplots in Buffalo. Chan Gailey did win a playoff game during his short stint in Dallas yet he was summarily shown the door by Jerry Jones. Ryan Fitzpatrick has yet to play up to his contract extension. Stevie Johnson has yet to tame his inner child. A significant number of variables… Wild Card or Bust!
The New Orleans Saints have driven their Mardi Gras float into Lake Pontchartrain. First the accusations of bounties and the endless loop of Brett Favre getting roughed up in the NFC Championship game. Then the wiretapping allegations. And throughout, the acrimonious saga of Drew Brees’ contract negotiations has left us wondering, why don’t the Saints take hit with the upfront money? Change the story. Put the responsibility on Brees to deliver. But no. The team is in disarray and the one man who could pull it all together is sitting home, waiting for that call from his agent. Jonathan Vilma seems to believe the way to make this Bountygate thing go away is to hire more lawyers.
All of this has put the feel-good post-Katrina Saints in the rear view.
It’s also served to distract us from the fact that New Orleans cannot seem to win a game outdoors.
Closer to home there’s the Wes Welker story. Has the failed connection with Brady in the 4th Quarter of the Super Bowl been put in the past? If he dreams about it does he make the catch? Or does the ball slip away from him in slow motion as the voice in his head cries out, “Noooooooooo!” Wait, that’s me. Anyway, if Welker had made that catch, do you think we’d still be talking about his contract? Okay, it’s the Patriots so yeah we’d probably still be talking about Welker’s contract.
Come to think of it, I suppose that just like any other year there’s only one team in the NFL that isn’t playing for redemption of some kind or other.
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