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Why the Colts Must Move On From Peyton Manning

LestersLegends — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:00:21 +0000

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In a perfect world (at least if you are a Colts fan) it would have taking care of business in front of the home fans in Super Bowl XLVI.
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Obviously Peyton’s body had different plans and the Colts fans suffered through a humiliating 2-14 season, which was even worse than the matching 3-13 record the Colts had in the year leading up to the selection of Peyton Manning and his 1998 rookie season.
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2012 marks the fourth time the Colts landed the first overall pick since they moved to Indianapolis in 1984, a year after number one overall pick John Elway forced a trade to Denver. Two of the three years the Colts selected a quarterback with the first overall pick. Jeff George in 1990 and of course Peyton in 1998.
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Here we are 14 years later and the Colts don’t have a choice but to start over with “can’t miss” prospect Andrew Luck.
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Obviously there are factors that make the selection of Luck a foregone conclusion. Peyton will turn 36 next month. I know Brett Favre became a grandpa amd played six season at 36 or greater before he left the game in a ball of flames. Of those six seasons though, only two did Favre throw more TDs than INTs.
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Favre didn’t have the injury concern that Peyton has. Favre didn’t miss a start until he turned 41. Though Peyton never missed a start before this year, he missed an entire season. He has had multiple neck surgeries. That alone would be enough to scare off most teams.
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Sure, you could keep Peyton around and develop Andrew Luck. The problem is, you end up risking to have the same scenario that the Packers experienced when they basically had to force Brett Favre out the door. There probably won’t be a better time to move on Peyton.
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For starters, the Colts fans got a glimpse of life after Peyton and it wasn’t pretty. We have heard how good Andrew Luck has been for two years. How could even the most loyal of Peyton/Colts fans not get excited about possibly landing the next Peyton Manning? Having the Super Bowl in their backyard also helps matters. They got to experience what they were missing first hand.
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There is actually talk in some circles that Eli has become a better QB than Peyton. Maybe at this present time, and maybe over the rest of Peyton’s career, but let’s not forget what Peyton has been. Eli has two rings, but it’s a team game. Trent Dilfer is not better than Dan Marino because he won a trophy.
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The other reason why it’s time to move on for Peyton is the $28 million roster bonus that is due in March. Jim Irsay simply can’t put the organization at risk by making that payment.
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Where he lands is up for debate. To paraphrase Semisonic, he doesn’t have to go home, but he can’t stay here.

Super Bowl XLVI Champion New York Giants

LestersLegends — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:00:38 +0000

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Congratulations to the New York Giants. As a Patriots fan it was a brutal loss. To have Eli once again snatch victory from us with a brilliant fourth quarter drive brought back painful memories. Just a tough loss to swallow.
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On a lighter note, here is how my picks finished out:
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Regular Season Lock Picks: 28-6 (.824)
Regular Season Total: 176-80 (.688)
Playoffs Picks: 6-6 (.545)
Pro Bowl Pick: 0-1
Overall Total: 182-86 (.679)

Super Bowl XLVI Fantasy Wide Receiver Rankings

LestersLegends — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:00:27 +0000

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Here are the Lester’s Legends Super Bowl XLVI fantasy football wide receiver rankings.
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He wasn’t the main factor last week, but Hakeem Nicks still has been the biggest wide receiver beast of the 2011-12 NFL Playoffs with an insane 335 yards and four TDs. He presents one heck of a match-up problem for the Patriots, who have been susceptible to the passing game all year long.
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Wes Welker could and probably should have caught 15-20 passes the last time these two teams squared off in the Super Bowl. The Giants had no answer for him. The same scenario played out in Week 9 when Welker caught nine passes for 136 yards and a touchdown. The Giants should focus on Gronk and Hernandez, which would allow Welker to pick them apart with precision.
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Victor Cruz is the biggest game breaker. He had seven games (including playoffs) with at least 119 yards and five with at least 142 yards. He “only” had 91 yards in the first meeting, though Nicks missed that game.
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Mario Manningham is the Giants’ version of Aaron Hernandez. You can’t shut down three players so when you focus on Gronk and Welker or Nicks and Cruz, someone (Manningham or Hernandez) becomes a nice target for a smart quarterback that knows to take what the defense gives him. Manningham has scored in all three playoff games.
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Deion Branch has Brady’s confidence, but he is often an afterthought. If Gronk is limited or knocked out early, Branch could see more looks.
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Julian Edelman is more likely to do damage returning a kick than in the passing game.
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Super Bowl XLVI Fantasy Running Back Rankings

LestersLegends — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:00:43 +0000

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This isn’t a Super Bowl that features elite running backs. That’s nothing new though. There really hasn’t been an elite RB in the Super Bowl since Marshall Faulk. Rashard Mendenhall had good numbers last year, but I wouldn’t go so far as to call him elite.
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There isn’t a running back with at least 700 yards in Super Bowl XLVI. While they didn’t pile up a ton of yards, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Brandon Jacobs have 27 touchdowns between them.
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To me the top running back in this game is Ahmad Bradshaw. The Giants are a different team when he’s playing his game. He had 126 total yards in the NFC Championship as the G-Men knocked off the Niners. While he didn’t reach double-digit rushing TDs this year, he did finish with 11 total in 12 games. He has the ability to get yards both running the ball and catching it out of the backfield.
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I’ll go with BenJarvus Green-Ellis at number two, but despite 28 carries in the past two games and never having lost a fumble, you never know what Bill Belichick will do. Stevan Ridley could easily get more work. The Firm will likely get the ball at the stripe though so that gives him the edge over the remaining backs.
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At number three I like Brandon Jacobs. He is definitely going to get his touches. He will likely get a shot at the goal line. If the Giants do get a lead, his power running could help grind it out.
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At four I like Stevan Ridley. Fumbling issues cost him the chance to play during the AFC Championship, but Belichick could want him in the big game. He’ll obviously have to hold onto the ball though.
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At five I’ll rank Danny Woodhead. He could see a few carries, as well as some passes out of the backfield. If Gronk isn’t at 100 percent, the Patriots may have to use different looks.
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Super Bowl XLVI Fantasy Quarterback Rankings

LestersLegends — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:00:34 +0000

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Here are the Lester’s Legends quarterback rankings for Super Bowl XLVI. It is a matchup of two of the elite quarterbacks in football. They are both cool under pressure and have delivered on the biggest stage.
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Eli entered the season with questions about whether or not he was elite. He had the confidence to say he was. I think he put that question to bed, throwing for more yards this year than his brother ever did. It’s not that Eli has better weapons, he just has more traditional ones, with three great wide receivers.
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Victor Cruz emerged as one of the game’s best deep threats this year. He has the ability to take the ball to the house at any time. Hakeem Nicks has that same knack, but is much tougher to bring down. Mario Manningham completes the trio.
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Tom Brady has Wes Welker, who is nearly impossible to cover. He is so quick off the ball, and is fearless. He caught 11 passes in the Super Bowl XLII, and another double-digit game is not out of the question. Deion Branch, the Super Bowl XXXIX MVP, knows how to step up in a big game. Brady’s most challenging weapons, though, are his tight ends. Rob Gronkowski (ankle) is hurt, but even a 80% Gronk is a tall order. He is so good in the red zone. Aaron Hernandez could play a bigger role for the Patriots with Gronk at less than full strength. I could see Hernandez having more yards and Gronk more scores.
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This truly should be a pretty even match-up for the Super Bowl XLVI quarterbacks. I just give Tom Brady a slight edge.
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Super Bowl XLVI Fantasy Tight End Rankings

LestersLegends — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:00:59 +0000

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Here are the Super Bowl XLVI Lester’s Legends fantasy football tight end rankings.
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Rob Gronkowski is a bit of a concern because of his high ankle sprain. He was able to return to the AFC Championship game, and had an extra week to heal. He built on his monster season with 15 catches for 232 yards and three TDs in two playoff games. This really is a choice, on paper anyway, between the two Patriots’ tight ends. Personally, I would go with the record-setter.
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Aaron Hernandez may not have the production of Gronk, but he is nothing to sneeze at. He has 11 catches for 121 yards and a TD. He has also ran for 70 yards. He finished with 79 catches for 910 yards and seven TDs on the year. If you fear Gronk’s ankle, Hernandez is the safe choice for Super Bowl XLVI.
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If you opted to load up elsewhere, Jake Ballard is still a pretty decent option (assuming his knee is healthy enough to go). He finished the season with 38 catches for 604 yards and four TDs.
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Travis Beckum‘s value depends on whether or not Ballard is able to give it a go. If Ballard can’t go Beckum is a low-end option. He has seven catches for 45 yards in the playoffs. If Ballard does play, then Beckum is a complete roll of the dice, hoping he can snag a touchdown. New England’s tight ends are obviously the preference.
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