Peyton Manning

I've had a complicated relationship with Peyton Manning. I disliked the shit out of him throughout college and most of his pro career. I reveled in the fact that he couldn't win the big game for most of his career. I enjoyed the fact of his continued failures for some reason. I think perhaps I thought there was some arrogance on his part that I really didn't like. He has done nothing but slowly win me over since that time. You only hear about his legendary work ethic and football intelligence. He's been hilarious and cordial in all events and shows he's been a part of. He does charity work and is always described as a nice guy. He gives handwritten notes to a select few players who retire expressing his appreciation for them. He was then thrown the harshest of sentences having an injury that despite anything he would do simply would not heal. His team, the one he built from worst to first and a perennial contender has moved on refusing to pay him $28 million dollars to continue to use his services. Nothing is more "what have you done for me lately" than the sports world. He handled this with utmost class of course, but now there's nothing but question marks in his future. A truly unrestricted free agent the likes of which we've never seen. The Colts without him struggled to win a game this year. He's probably a packaged deal with Manning stalwart Reggie Wayne. I'm excited for this to unfold. It puts crazy pressure on Andrew Luck to replace a legend right out of the gates. I love it and can't wait for the craziness to ensue. I love me the draft and this one will be no different.

Game on.