MIAMI - Peyton Manning spent the whole season building toward a Super Bowl crown, a win that certainly would put him among the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
And then he threw it all away.
Blocked onto his butt, Manning could only watch as Tracy Porter returned an interception for a clinching, 74-yard touchdown in the final minutes Sunday that gave the New Orleans Saints a 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
“It’s certainly disappointing. Very disappointed. Disappointed,” Manning said.
It was a startling end to a Super Bowl that seemed destined to wind up in Manning’s strong right hand. It was the lone turnover of a back-and-forth thriller — who in the world would have thought the big mistake could be made by Manning?
Yet there he was, sitting on the grass after brawny Saints defensive end Will Smith knocked him down as he tried to make a tackle. Manning took a glance over his shoulder to watch Porter’s romp to the end zone, unbuckled his chin strap, stood up and simply walked toward the bench.
“We probably never got into a great rhythm. We were certainly worse in lapses in our final possession,” Manning said.
All week, this was the story line in Miami: Could Manning, a New Orleans boy through and through, deny the Saints in a game they desperately wanted to win for their city?
Turned out he helped his hometown team win its first Super Bowl — only not in the way he imagined.
Dad Archie Manning, the longtime star Saints quarterback, got caught smack in the middle.
“I was pulling for the Colts. I’m not quite over that, but I’m happy for New Orleans,” he said.
“I don’t know if going to celebrate or not. Maybe later, when the city does, but I’m not in a celebrating mood. Glad to see everybody else in New Orleans celebrate. That’s enough for me now,” he said.
Added Archie: “I’m proud of him. ... It just wasn’t meant to be.”
His son repeated the word “disappointing” at least 10 times in his postgame interview session, using it to describe everything from the Colts not having the ball much in the second quarter to the interception that decided the title.
“We played well in the first playoff game, played well two weeks ago. We just didn’t make enough plays against the Saints,” Manning said.
“I understand how excited the Saints are, their families and the city of New Orleans is going to be,” he said. “I’m sorry to our fans that we weren’t able to get it done.”
Until Porter cut in front of receiver Reggie Wayne on the left side, Manning seemed to be in charge. The four-time MVP did his dance at the line of scrimmage, putting his teammates in position, and zipped pass completions all over the field.
The Colts set an NFL record with seven fourth-quarter comebacks this season, and surely most everyone at Sun Life Stadium thought ol’ Peyton was at it again. Down 24-17, the Colts were driving toward a tying score until Porter sealed it with 3:12 left.
Manning had been MVP of the Colts’ victory in the Super Bowl on the very same field three years ago, and was a good bet to win the trophy once more. Instead, the night finished the same way his final college game at Tennessee ended — a bruising loss to Nebraska, also on this field.
Even after Porter’s pick, Manning tried to rally the Colts. He moved them near the Saints’ goal line, but a final pass to Wayne fell incomplete.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees, the beneficiary of Manning’s pep talks while in college at Purdue, took a knee to run out the clock and start New Orleans’ party.
Manning left the field without seeing Brees.
“I’ll certainly talk to Drew,” Manning said. “There’s not much consolation for the guys that didn’t win. There’s the stage being set up and the celebration.”
Manning wound up 31 for 45 for 333 yards and one touchdown. He finished one short of the Super Bowl record for completions set by Tom Brady and tied by Brees, though the one pass he threw to the Saints will be the one that fans remember, and it’ll be the pick that’s shown on highlight films for years.
“It’s kind of a play we’ve run a lot. Porter made a heck of play,” Manning said.
Said Porter: “It was great film study. The coaches did a great job of preparing us for that route.”
Known for their late rallies, the Colts lost by letting the Saints outscore them 15-0 in the final 15 minutes.
As he walked from the sideline to the huddle with his head down to start the fourth quarter, Manning suddenly found himself surrounded by three dozen Colts cheerleaders rushing off the field after their routine. He stopped, let them pass and kept on his way.
Early in the period, Manning made one of his few bad throws, floating a deep ball that fell incomplete near the goal line. Manning threw down a towel when he got to the bench.
Moments later, the giant video board showed his younger brother, Eli, in the crowd. Eli was the MVP of the Super Bowl two years ago as QB of the New York Giants, but there was no celebrating this time.
Most celebrities such as Jamie Foxx, Gloria Estefan and Scottie Pippen smiled when they showed up on the board. Not Eli. He merely looked straight ahead, a blank stare.
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Comments » 51
jcrewvol writes:
1st
VOLorado writes:
thanks AP, for reminding me of that awful nebraska loss
kb7398#233189 writes:
Any particular reason the KNS runs a sidebar from an AP writer that basically throws Manning under the bus?
No? Didn't think so...
huntined#565710 writes:
Tough game for Peyton I am sure but he will be back. Just watched the space flight here in FLA man the sky was really lit up..been up about two hrs and it is a long time till our LADY'S play tonight. Peyton will cary the load for this loss that is just the way it is with him. But he is a VOL and we are proud that he is.
cptcrash64 writes:
Now all the Manning haters can crawl back out from under their rocks. Maybe give just a little credit to Tracy Porter for making a great play?
xx5vegasxx writes:
What about Wayne's dropped pass with a minute to go?
What about the three different blown coverages by the defense?
What about Stover's missed FG attempt?
Manning threw the pick-6. But there were other things that happened that were just as bad. The onside kick was the turning point. Take that away, and it's a totally different ball game. So seeing schmucks like this pay blame on Peyton is really rather stupid.
CRFVols writes:
The Colts decided to be more of a running team and went away from the big play passing game they've used all year to win games. That's what happens when you get away from your identity as a team. They played way too conservatively.
CRFVols writes:
Oh....and Sean Payton deserved to be MVP for everything from the gutsy calls he made to giving up some of his paycheck to get a good D coordinator.
AppreciativeAlum writes:
The game was won in the second quarter when the Colt's D could not get the Saints off the field.
The only super bowl losing fault Manning has is using up too much of the team's salary and not leaving enough for the defense.
CB4VOLZ writes:
Ummmm NO.. The Trent Dilfer reference has to go to all those Florida QB's that made it to the Super Bowl and even to those that won one.................. Idiot
VolsAllTheWay writes:
That and finding a team that will draft him, sign him, and oh yeah, play him.
gvegasvol writes:
"who in the world would have thought the big mistake could be made by Manning?"
Yea...who??? Anyone who has watched him in big games over the years?
crimsonviper writes:
DC..The only way Tebow will pass a Manning is on the interstate headed to Detroit,where he will battle for the 3rd. string back-up fullback job.
NO_DIGGITY writes:
Is that you Naffy??
Southland writes:
the comments on this article are amazing. How can anyone question the obvious? Peyton is a superstar QB. So is Farve. You have no running game and it is the QB's fault???? Hey Brees and the saints were awesome. Give them their due. Why try to beat up Peyton. None of us will ever reach the level of greatness he has and maybe thats why its easy for some of you to tear into him. Think about that today as you brag as if you had something to do with the outcome of the game.
jawbreaker writes:
Anybody who puts the entire blame for this loss on one interception by Manning was watching for the commercials, not for the game itself. AppreciativeAlum, "Manning...using up too much of the team's salary and not leaving enough for the defense"? What a stretch. The injury to Freeney's ankle had as much to do with this Colt loss as Manning's pass, and a lot more to do with it than Peyton's salary.
utfpmd writes:
Don't forget Baskett not being ready for the on side kick, and Garcon's huge drop on 3rd down on the Saints' side of the field in the first half.
Those that glory in Peyton's mistake will be haters no matter what.
TommyJack writes:
That be him.
zz back on the payroll again, too.
dvols writes:
peyton is the face of the NFL. wins and losses are what them talkin heads on espn get paid to talk about!
Texas_Vol writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
diamond_dave35#235769 writes:
And when Tebows short career is over he'll still be one win away
illinoisvolfan writes:
If Tebow gets a Super Bowl ring, it will be by catching passes, not throwing them. He could have a good NFL career as a Dallas Clark type of receiver, H back or tight end position.
InVAbutHeartInTN writes:
Manning threw the pick, yes, but: Colts defenders missed more tackles in one game than I saw all season; Garcon's drop early in game was very deflating; Wayne ran a lazy route on the pick and let Porter undercut him; Wayne dropped a TD in last minute; missed FG was also deflating. Manning played gutsy and great, just the better team won.
chl1958 writes:
Good Game,Peyton. One interception was not totally your fault,just like the Saint's onside kick turned the whole game around. The Saints played hard and the coach called some gutsy plays.You will be back stronger;your team needs to blitz more on defense!
kazoo writes:
Manning had a very good game--but I think he threw that slant (which he throws a TON) one to many times. Wayne ran a weak route, the guy read the play and game basically over. It's too bad--could have been a dramatic ending. NO has a good team--VERY similar to Indy--and things broke their way.
VOLinCO writes:
Lucky you.
I work with a nebraska grad who loves to remind me about it... daily
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
No matter who the QB is of team, winning the Super Bowl is a great accomplishment that has only happened to a handful of players, whether it be Bret Farve,Trent Dilfer,Peyton Manning, or Drew Brees. Some QB's are fortunate enough to win multiple Super Bowls, like Troy Aikman, John Elway, Terry Bradshaw,Tom Brady, etc. And there are others that may have the chance to add that accomplishment to their list like Tim Tebow(not sure if he will even play QB position) or even Mark Sanchez, but that remains to be seen.
VOLinCO writes:
yeah, i'd have to put teabag up there with marino, as far as both being all-time nfl greats.
(by your logic, this happens by making a roster)
as a vols fan, my team won. i always go for the team with more vols... and last night, they had more ball$ too. and that's why they won.
allvolinatlanta writes:
Why was that not a block in the back on Will Smith on the pick 6? Manning may not have made the tackle but the likelihood of the guy running it all the way back without the clip would be slim.
DCFloridaGatorz69 writes:
Manning will be fine without our consolations and despite others piling on. The guy is almost infinitely more successfuly than those that love to tear him down, so I suggest the rest of you do what I'm sure Peyton does -- simply ignore them.
huntined#565710 writes:
DC You know they don't give Rings for COMMERCIALS and that is the only way you will see Tebow in a Super Bowl.
SATCHMOE writes:
This opening statement is absolutely the dumbest ever composed."and then he threw it all away." Once the QB releases the ball many things can happen and in this case the defense made a good play.Football is a team sport won and lost as a team, so why pen the defeat on one player. Manning is and will always be one of the greatest,his stats will carry him into the hall of fame. I appreciate good journalism but in the words of Peyton Manning "It’s certainly disappointing. Very disappointed. Disappointed,
Be fair Mr.Walker of the AP your bias is showing, and as for the KNS you should be ashamed to allow a man that has given so many positive things to Knoxville to be thrown under the bus. Thanks Peyton and the Colts for your efforts but today belongs to the Saints who in this game played as team.
Kobzilla writes:
What about an article about Robert Meecham and Jabrie Greer getting their first Suberbowl rings? You would think the KNS would want to put a positive spin on all things VOL!
huntined#565710 writes:
DC that .5 as you call it is just enough for Peyton to make the money he makes so he can do stuff like donate about 2 mil to your boy DANNY down in N.O. to help him run that place. He did not win the game this year but I bet Wherfle has nothing bad to say about him. and knowing the man Danny is he would not be proud of Gator fans like you tearing Peyton down. He knows the Manning family and what they do there not just the Football side.
537081 writes:
Hello Payton played a good if not great game. Hello I thought this place was about Tennessee sports and players that had played here? What about the game Jabarie Greer had, Robert Meachum had a good if not great game. I mean they got their ring.
PennVol writes:
The Saints big receivers did a number on the Colts smaller DBs. With no pass rush on Brees, it was easy pickens. Manning gave up 7, but the defense gave up 24 in 3 quarters.
InVAbutHeartInTN writes:
One more thing I have noticed about Payton Manning: some QBs are expected to just control the game, and not lose; some QBs are expected to lead the team and help win the game; some QBs are expected to excel and lead the team to victory; Manning is expected to perform miracles and be perfect every game. No player/QB has more hope and expectations piled upon his shoulders, in any sport. It becomes unrealistic and impossible to be perfect every game. He IS the greatest QB ever. Period. Congrats to Meachum and Greer, good points.
VOLinCO writes:
Hello Payton played a good game?
I guess he COACHED a good game (IMO, anyway)
jandjhome#228397 writes:
I was at the Nebraska game. Peyton was injured and should not have played. We had a guy on the bench named Martin but Fulmerball just could not do that.
VOLinCO writes:
I'm not the grammar police, but PAYTON Manning?
Really?
InVAbutHeartInTN writes:
My bad...Peyton.
feathersax writes:
Didn't know NFL taxi squads had a championship game.
jandjhome#228397 writes:
Sorry InVAbutHeartinTN, I hit the wrong key.
SATCHMOE writes:
Couldn't agree more with your comments,well done and very descriptive; KNS should take a lesson from you if not offer you a job. A pleasure to read your analysis; Thank You
chrisw2967 writes:
the only bowl tebow will ever play in is in the CFL.tebow is going to make a good water boy if he can catch on to an nfl team.
as a matter of fact every QB that has come out of fla has been a joke once they get to the nfl
InVAbutHeartInTN writes:
...appreciate that. I just do not understand all the Manning negativity. He is gracious, personable, charitable, professional in his personal and career life. Some people just have a problem with success, I guess. I think it speaks well for UT that probably the best ever NFL defensive player (Reggie White) and NFL offensive player (Peyton Manning) came from the same program.
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
Timmy can win a SB ring, as back-up TE to Dallas Clark..DOH!!
murrayvol writes:
I'll have to agree Doc. It doesn't get much better....or worse depending on perspective.
crimsonviper writes:
Have to disagree Big.
I think e-bay is the only way he gets one.
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
I know, just trying to generate positive vibes again..I'm really empathetic to all FU fans..
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