With Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning saying this could be his “last rodeo,” there are some viewing Super Bowl 50 as his goodbye party. The Panthers sound like they plan on crashing it.
Several Panthers said they are not too interested in the story line of the legendary quarterback riding off into the sunset with another title.
“We don’t really care if this is his last game,” Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert told The Charlotte Observer. “He’s played what — 18, 19 years? He’s had enough, you know what I’m saying? It’s our turn.”
Manning is 39 years old and in his 18th NFL season. He spent this year dealing with injuries and had his worst season as a pro, throwing 17 interceptions and just nine touchdown passes. He spent time on the bench watching Brock Osweiler, whom some thought the Broncos should stick with even if Manning were healthy.
All of that has been the backdrop for the Broncos’ playoff run. Manning has helped Denver get past the Steelers and Patriots and now sets up the ultimate fairy-tale ending for his career, even though he won’t say if he is going to retire.
The best clue about Manning’s plans came after last week’s AFC title game, when NFL Films caught him telling Patriots coach Bill Belichick: “Hey, listen, this might be my last rodeo. So it sure has been a pleasure.”
Asked about that comment on Thursday, Manning would not admit he said it.
“I don’t know if that’s been confirmed,” Manning said.
He then griped about the presence of a microphone at midfield after the game.
“What happened to private conversations on the 50-yard line? They just don’t exist anymore. … There’s no confirmation on that whatsoever,” Manning said before imitating Belichick. “We are on to Carolina.”
Manning’s possible retirement could give the Broncos the support of unaffiliated fans for this game. He has been a popular player since 1998, when the Colts drafted him No. 1 overall, and is familiar even to non-football fans because of his many commercials.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera was asked if he thought America might be rooting for Manning.
“Probably. Which is fine. He’s had a tremendous career,” Rivera told the Observer. “I’m kind of hoping there are a whole bunch of Panthers fans and Raiders fans who are thinking otherwise though.”
Panthers safety Tre Boston was asked if he would feel guilty intercepting Manning in his final game.
“So if a man has the last piece of pizza in the world, are you going to take that last piece?” Boston asked. “One of y’all got to live! One of us has to win, and I’m not trying to lose. It’s you and that one man. You gonna live or not? I’m trying to win. I don’t care who you are.”
Not everyone is convinced Manning is going to hang it up after this game, though. Former Giants quarterback Phil Simms is calling the Super Bowl for CBS. On a conference call Thursday, he was asked if he would be surprised if Manning returns for the 2016 season.
“Surprised? No, nothing Peyton Manning can do will surprise me,” Simms said. “In fact, we’re going to see the age when quarterbacks retire change more and more from when I played. The game has changed. Scheme, design, the ability to get out of bad plays and to avoid hits will extend the life span for quarterbacks in the NFL.”
“Peyton has been able to take advantage of that for years now. If he was up for another year and his team is able to allow him to do what he needs to do within the scheme to stay healthy, it wouldn’t surprise me at all.”
Several Panthers said they are not too interested in the story line of the legendary quarterback riding off into the sunset with another title.
“We don’t really care if this is his last game,” Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert told The Charlotte Observer. “He’s played what — 18, 19 years? He’s had enough, you know what I’m saying? It’s our turn.”
Manning is 39 years old and in his 18th NFL season. He spent this year dealing with injuries and had his worst season as a pro, throwing 17 interceptions and just nine touchdown passes. He spent time on the bench watching Brock Osweiler, whom some thought the Broncos should stick with even if Manning were healthy.
All of that has been the backdrop for the Broncos’ playoff run. Manning has helped Denver get past the Steelers and Patriots and now sets up the ultimate fairy-tale ending for his career, even though he won’t say if he is going to retire.
The best clue about Manning’s plans came after last week’s AFC title game, when NFL Films caught him telling Patriots coach Bill Belichick: “Hey, listen, this might be my last rodeo. So it sure has been a pleasure.”
Asked about that comment on Thursday, Manning would not admit he said it.
“I don’t know if that’s been confirmed,” Manning said.
He then griped about the presence of a microphone at midfield after the game.
“What happened to private conversations on the 50-yard line? They just don’t exist anymore. … There’s no confirmation on that whatsoever,” Manning said before imitating Belichick. “We are on to Carolina.”
Manning’s possible retirement could give the Broncos the support of unaffiliated fans for this game. He has been a popular player since 1998, when the Colts drafted him No. 1 overall, and is familiar even to non-football fans because of his many commercials.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera was asked if he thought America might be rooting for Manning.
“Probably. Which is fine. He’s had a tremendous career,” Rivera told the Observer. “I’m kind of hoping there are a whole bunch of Panthers fans and Raiders fans who are thinking otherwise though.”
Panthers safety Tre Boston was asked if he would feel guilty intercepting Manning in his final game.
“So if a man has the last piece of pizza in the world, are you going to take that last piece?” Boston asked. “One of y’all got to live! One of us has to win, and I’m not trying to lose. It’s you and that one man. You gonna live or not? I’m trying to win. I don’t care who you are.”
Not everyone is convinced Manning is going to hang it up after this game, though. Former Giants quarterback Phil Simms is calling the Super Bowl for CBS. On a conference call Thursday, he was asked if he would be surprised if Manning returns for the 2016 season.
“Surprised? No, nothing Peyton Manning can do will surprise me,” Simms said. “In fact, we’re going to see the age when quarterbacks retire change more and more from when I played. The game has changed. Scheme, design, the ability to get out of bad plays and to avoid hits will extend the life span for quarterbacks in the NFL.”
“Peyton has been able to take advantage of that for years now. If he was up for another year and his team is able to allow him to do what he needs to do within the scheme to stay healthy, it wouldn’t surprise me at all.”
