Sunday, January 04, 2009

Heart Broken

I've been a Colts fan since my sophomore year of college.  The moment Peyton Manning was drafted by the Colts, I finally had a reason to believe that one of my closest college friends - who was also a fan of Ball State University - wasn't completely crazy.  Peyton was a Tennessee boy, so when he went to Indianapolis, I had to believe that it was okay to move my allegiance from the 49ers of my childhood (Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, Tom Rathman, etc) to the Indy of my adulthood.

Sure they went 3-13 Peyton's first year and it was tough watching Peyton get his rear end handed to him Sunday after Sunday.  But it was something to build on.  He and Marvin Harrison seemed like a good team and Aaron Whisler and I were happy to cheer on the then hapless Colts.

Over the years, Peyton has proved that he is the best quarterback in the game.  Tom Brady is good, don't get me wrong - I hate him and the Pats, but he's a good QB.  Favre holds all the records, but the dude has played a bazillion years and to go along with all the good records, he also holds the record for most incompletions and most interceptions.  I'll take Peyton's 95 career passer rating over Favre's 4 interceptions week 17.  Some people says it's arguable; I say it's laughable to think anything else - Peyton is the best QB ever in the history of the NFL.

And he has a Super Bowl ring to go with the stats.

But dangit!  Why can't they ever just win a freaking easy playoff game?!!  It's the Chargers and they are freaking 8 and freaking 8.  They lost 8 games this year.  Granted all 8 losses were by a total of like 34 points, but still!  They LOST 8 GAMES!!!   I want to cheer my Colts...my once hapless, now consistently playoff hapless...to the Super Bowl.  I wanted a Manning-Manning Super Bowl and I wanted to watch those stinking Giants go down in a ball of fire as my boy passed for a Super Bowl record 17 touchdowns.  I know...that's more than 4 per quarter, but I could see it happen.  Peyton is the man.

So, I'm heart broken.  I'll still watch the playoffs.  I'll have to cheer for someone else.  Probably some crappy team like the Steelers or maybe the other, less talented Manning.  Maybe Tennessee, since I am a Nashville boy now.  Now that I think about it, yeah, I'll cheer the Titans on. 

But Peyton, I want you to know, I'm not angry with you.  I'm just disappointed with you.  I know, I know...it was the defense that gave up stupid stupid long runs to Darren Sproles, a pygmy who somehow runs over guys 4 times his size...I get it.  But you shoulda thrown 17 touchdowns so that the pygmy didn't matter.


17 comments:

Anonymous said...

well i'm not too happy you don't like the Patriots. But I think i'll survive.

I still can't believe the Pats didn't make the playoffs even though they had a record of 11-5, the AFC is just too good! Be happy Peyton didn't get injured at the start of the season and that the Colts at least made the playoffs.

Cathy Storms said...

Since I live in San Diego, I am supposed to be a Charger fan. No I'm not a Charger fan but my hubby is.
Somehow I knew you would be upset by this game.
I'm a die hard Dallas fan and have been for many years. My hubby and I always bet at the beginning of the season. I always take the Cowboys (stupid I know), and he always takes the Chargers. Which ever team goes further has to take the other to dinner with their friends to a restaurant of their choice. So of course I lost the bet (as usual)...
Hubby picks Hooters (as usual) which is ok but this year....Since I've had one of my hooters removed...please....but I will be the bigger person, swallow my pride and get a tshirt that says "I love my hooter" and take him and his silly charger fan buddies to dinner....It sucks more that he won the bet than having to go to hooters believe me....

So....Come on Titans....They were my second pick this year so technically I still won the bet but he doesn't see it that way.

Just wait till next year......
By the way, I'm a colt fan also...

risalea said...

Well, I'll have to admit, I don't follow much pro ball....more of a college fan here, but I feel y'all's pain. And Cathy, you are cracking me up!

And, a reminder for any AR lurkers, Chris will be performing in NLR on Jan. 17th. Go to www.jlnlr.org for tickets!

Audra said...

So sorry that your team lost...but with every sad sports fan there is a happy one and I am totally stoked that the Chargers are not out yet. Granted I have been a SAn DIegan my entire life but GO CHARGERS!!!

EmilyBoo said...

I... have nothing to say about this post. It was barely comprehensible to me. :P

Anonymous said...

As usual, us KC Chiefs fans can say what I say every year. Just wait till next year. Of course the draft was like 8 times kind to us last year and since we lost so much this year we are going to get at least a few more bright spots coming up. We can always count on coach Herm Edwards to say something eternally quotable to keep us laughing.

HstryQT said...

Chris I'll be sure to tell Peyton for you if I happen to run into him around Indy (it happens - well not to me yet, but to others I know). :)

And I'm sorry :( - it is frustrating.

DJ in AL said...

I feel ya man, I feel ya. Peyton has been my QB for years, I mean he's from TN, aside from that well he rocks the ball.

I just .....don't.....get....it. I mean the Chargers. Really?

(sorry Audra, you know I love ya, but the Chargers?)

chamilton said...

I too LOVE THE COWBOYS!!!!!! I am just sick about how this season ended but I really feel like next year we will return to glory. I think I am supposed to be a KC fan but I just can't do it. Sorry Randy. I won't even watch the play offs but my husband will watch his one and only football game of the year The Superbowl. No Cowboys will probably just go shopping to help ease the pain. Take care everyone.

Candy

Amy's Purple Poodles said...

Chris-I'm not really a big football fan, but am still sorry your team lost.

I can feel your pain,however, when it comes to college football. I went to Texas Tech and they had not lost a game until they played Oklahoma. It was sickening watching them get clobbered 62-21 (I think that was the score). We could have been #1 or 2 in the country and gotten a really good bowl game! We even beat UT Austin and they hadn't lost a game! oh, well.

Cathy- I loved your "I love My Hooter" saying! It just cracks me up. I would be mad too about losing a bet, especially if it meant having to go out to eat with a bunch of men who are at a resturant to enjoy and ogle more than the food! I really feel for you!

Nique's Nana said...

GO CHARGERS!!!!!

EmilyBoo said...

Am I the only one here who is not a football fan at all? Can you blame me? I'm from Detroit. ;)

Anonymous said...

Man Chris, I totally feel your pain. I live in Southern Indiana, and Peyton Manning is the SINGLE reason football is now my favorite sport over basketball. IN INDIANA! Leaving basketball is a crime in this state.

Peyton Manning makes the sport beautiful and poetic. His throw is like a dance....there is a grace to it.

I mean, Anthony Gonzalez was pulling catches down from out of nowhere....how did they lose this game!?!?!?!?

Ugh, I will be routing for the lesser Manning at this point. Might as well make it a Manning-Manning-Manning streak and hope that Peyton can be the bread in the Super Bowl/Manning sandwich.

rosalee said...

Emilyboo -

You are not alone. I am not a football buff either. I'm not into sports in general.

So, on a different topic -
Did everyone see that MJ (of MJSBIGBLOG.com) made the LA Times??

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/americanidoltracker/2009/01/idol-nation-20.html

risalea said...

I just saw your post, Rosalee. MJ is 51? For some reason, I had pictured her differently. Hey, it's a great age, especially since it's also mine! lol

rosalee said...

Risa -
We thought she was much younger too, when we met her in Westerly, RI.

Everyone, go over to mjsbigblog.com and give her a pat on the back.

Anonymous said...

I was upset at the Colts losing because I've always loved Peyton. The good thing is with them you know (if healthy) they'll be right back where they left off this season.

I'm for either the Titans or Cardinals to win it all.

I'm a lifelong Dolphins fan... I actually watched every game last season! It was painful but fully worth it getting to watch their amazing turn around in one short season. I hated to see this "Cinderall season" end with their loss to the Ravens last weekend but that doesn't lessen this season for me.. it'll always be special. I hope they're able to take it to the next level next season but it won't be easy.

Emily-I feel for you living in Detriot where the Lions break your heart season after season. A friend of mine is still a big fan, despite their history so I know how it is.