Does Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning get too much respect from opposing coaches? (part one)

Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning (Rob Carr/AP Photo)

Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning is a game-changing, decision-altering player – perhaps more so than any player in the NFL.

THIS IS PART ONE | PART TWO HERE

That long has been the consensus in NFL circles, deserved status for a future Hall-of-Fame player who has been to nine Pro Bowls, won a Super Bowl, been named Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player a record three times and is credited with 41 fourth-quarter comebacks.

But does Manning get too much respect?

That was subject this week of a legitimate debate between ESPN analysts Trent Dilfer and Merrill Hoge: whether Colts opponents – New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick and Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh, namely – were erring too much on the side of respecting Manning in late-game situations.

The discussion stemmed from late-game decisions in the Colts' two most recent victories:

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*Belichick's to go for a first down on 4th-and-2 from the Patriots 28 with just over two minutes remaining and New England leading by six. The well-discussed decision resulted in a failed first down attempt, and Manning threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to WR Reggie Wayne with 13 seconds remaining in a 35-34 Colts victory.

*Harbaugh's this past weekend, with the Ravens trailing 17-15. The Ravens faced 3rd-and-7 on the Colts 14 with 2:42 remaining. Rather than running, then likely kicking a field goal for a one-point lead, Ravens QB Joe Flacco threw and Colts MLB Gary Brackett intercepted, ending Baltimore's last best chance for the lead.

Unuual enough was Belichick's decision that New Orleans Head Coach Sean Payton phoned Manning afterward and, according to Sports Illustrated's Peter King, left the following voice mail:

"Sean Payton here. Just wanted to tell you that last night was the greatest compliment I've ever seen a quarterback paid."

In each case, the coaches went against the mythical NFL “book,” the unwritten rule being that in such situations you play to get the lead then trust your defense to win the game. And almost without question, the presence of Manning played a huge factor in those decisions, not just because of the statistical evidence of those 41 fourth-quarter comebacks, but because those coaches have seen Manning in person and on film, and they correctly factor his late-game ability into their decisions.

There are a couple of truisms when facing Manning and the Colts. One is you don't beat them kicking field goals, and another is you don't beat them by giving them possession with more than a minute remaining if they're down by less than a touchdown – much less if they're down by a field goal or less.

That has been true for years. Not just this season, although in recent weeks they have taken winning close games to a new level, becoming the first team in NFL history to win four consecutive games by a total of 10 or fewer points.

But Dilfer and Hoge were right. This is a new wrinkle, this trend of coaches making unusual decisions – at least to this degree – to keep Manning from even having a chance of getting the ball while trailing late in the game.

Yet, a glance at recent Colts history suggests it's not bad strategy. READ MORE IN PART TWO

REVIEWING BILL POLIAN'S WEEKLY RADIO SHOW

Bill Polian’s Weekly Radio Show | Part One | “Peaking not an issue for us”

Bill Polian’s Weekly Radio Show | Part Two | Media and team in parallel worlds

Bill Polian’s Weekly Radio Show | Part Three | RB Joseph Addai having “terrific year”

Bill Polian’s Weekly Radio Show | Part Four | Victory over Ravens “courageous performance”

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COFFEE WITH THE COLTS | COLTS-RAVENS | PART TWO. HERE.

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