Peyton Manning is overrated

Yes, you read that title right.

Peyton Manning is overrated.

I don't care that the Indianapolis Colts are now 11-0. I don't care that he owns the single season record for touchdowns with 49. That is all irrelevant, what matters is championships.

And this year, it looks like the Colts will walk away the Super Bowl champions. But don't credit Manning. Not for one moment. Credit the part of the Colts that matters. The defense.

Every year the Colts make the playoffs because they can outscore most teams. But put them up against the New England Patriots, who know what defense is all about, and Manning is nothing more than second-rate quarterback.

Yes, Manning defeated the Patriots this year. Well, at least he beat 11 men on defense that have Patriots uniforms. New England has been plagued with injuries, and not even they can have enough answers for Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Brandon Stokley, Dallas Clark, Edgerrin James, and a stud offensive line.

That right there is enough to win plenty of games. Manning is nothing more than an added bonus.

It is the Colts' defense this year that has made the difference. Dwight Freeney. Corey Simon. Mike Doss. It has been them that has shut down powerhouses like Pittsburg and New England, and did just enough against Cincinnati. It is a defense that no longer gives up chunks of yards, just like the Colts' offense picks up, as it has in years past.

That is why the Colts will win the Super Bowl. Not Peyton Manning.

What is sad is that Manning makes millions more than most of the defense combined. That is not right, because he doesn't deserve it. Manning is still prone to be shut down against a good defense, just look at the 16 points he put up against Romeo Crennel's Cleveland defense earlier this year. The Browns would have won that game if they had an adequate quarterback.

So who can stop Peyton Manning from getting his undeserved Super Bowl ring? The list is few and the chances are bleak. There are three offenses that can go toe-to-toe with the Colts - the Bengals, San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs. Out of the three, the Chargers are the only one with a consistent defense. They also have LaDainian Tomlinson, who might be able to single-handedly carry the Chargers over the Colts.

But only two of those teams may make the playoffs, and who says that the Peyton Manning will have to deal with both, or either of them, since the Colts will more than likely have a bye to start the playoffs? Plus, home field advantage should be enough for Manning to get lucky and overcome any AFC challenge.

That leaves the Super Bowl in Detroit, where the Colts will face some second-rate NFC team. My two choices are either the Falcons or the Bears.

I throw out the Seahawks on account that they have this tendency to choke in the playoffs. If you need reminding, look up the phrase, "We want the ball, and we're going to score." Yeah right, Mr. Hasselback.

The Bears have the defense this year. But they have an offense that pales in comparison to most college football teams. I can see them holding Manning to 20 points. But they won't score more than nine. So throw them out.

The Falcons are the best running team in the NFL. They have a defense that can be great when it wants to be. Michael Vick is the greatest X-factor in the game today. But is that enough? Although I love the Falcons, I can't see it happening. The lack of a No. 1, let alone a No. 2 receiver prevents the Falcons from keeping up with the Colts’ offense.

So will we all witness history? 19-0? The road looks too easy. The Charges at home, and going to Seattle might be the only chances to stop Manning. If LT, Drew Brees and Antonio Gates get two chances against the Colts, maybe fans will see justice be served.

But right now, it doesn’t look like it will happen. Colts are Super Bowl champs. Manning will get that ring that he so does NOT deserve.

Unless of course the injury bug hits... knock on wood.

The Indian Offseason

Alright, my first entry is going to be about my favorite team period, the Indians.

The Tribe came within two games of the post-season, and ESPN has them ranked No. 1 in their first poll. Great, that means... nothing.

Apparently, they didn't check to see the Indians right now don't have Kevin Millwood, Scott Earlton, Bob Wickman, and Bob Howry returning. If I remember correctly, these players were key to their success. So the Indians need to either re-sign them or people of equal caliber, otherwise they can forget about having another possible magical year.

First off, Bob Howry is signed with the Cubs. This actually isn't a big deal, as long as the Indians get a closer. The Indians have the closer of the future in the bullpen already, Fernando Cabrera, but it isn't his time yet. So the setup position, which Howry held the past 1 1/2 seasons, can be filled by Cabrera and Arthur Rhodes. So that isn't a problem.

But the Indians must get a closer. The best option on the thin market, now that Billy Wagner and B.J. Ryan are gone, is Bob Wickman. He may only be good for a year, but he is coming off his best season, where he converted 45 saves, and probably has another year left.

The other options are as follows. Trevor Hoffman, the oldest closer at 38, would be no better of an option, as he is a year-to-year player from here on out. Tom Gordon, the former New York Yankee setup man, has been just that, a setup man. Though he has been a closer in the past, he may have to adjust back to the role if he decides to do so.

The last resort would be Kyle Farnsworth, who closed for the Braves late in the season, but has struggled in the role for most of his career. The Indians are better off giving the job to David Riske or Cabrera, and using Farnsworth as a setup man.

Then there is the starting rotation. Returning are C.C. Sabathia, Jake Westbrook, and Cliff Lee. Millwood, the reigning AL ERA champ, is not likely to come back because of money. Earlton would be okay to come back, but only if the Tribe can't land a better arm.

There are several possibilities here. Jeff Weaver, former Los Angeles Dodger, was 14-11 with a 4.22 ERA. But, like Millwood, he might be out of Cleveland's price range.

Then there is Jason Johnson, the lefty who last season played for Detroit. Forget his record of 8-13, his 4.54 is solid, and he seemed to be Indian killer last season. So having him pitching for the Indians rather than against them would be a plus.

Another Indian killer on the market is the crafty veteran Jamie Moyer. He may be 43, but his arm still has some spunk in it, going 13-7 with a 4.28 ERA. He may be only good for a year, but the Indians won’t need him for any longer than that.

Also is available is Jarrod Washburn and Paul Byrd, both of whom should be in the Tribe's price range.

Only one of these arms should be signed, with the fifth spot in the rotation going to one of the Tribe's young arms. Jason Davis, Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Tallet or Kaz Tadano should be given the chance to prove they can be successful at the Major League level.

There final hole is at first base or the outfield. The Tribe has Casey Blake and Ben Broussard, who are capable players, but are not everyday types. Both can play either position, so they can platoon at either position when needed.

As for free agents to upgrade to, there are no good free agents the Tribe can afford. There are a couple of outfielders however, both of whom are former Indian players. Brian Giles is the best option. He may be left-handed, where as the Indians need a right-handed power bat, but Giles can hit for power and contact. He may have lost a step or two, but is a capable right fielder who would sure up the tribe middle-of-the-order.

The second best option might be Jeremy Burntiz. He is right-handed, and has plenty of power. There is one problem. Strikeouts. Burnitz is prone to it, having struck out more than 100 times in every season since 1997.

Another possibility might be Richard Hidalgo, who when healthy is good for 20-plus homers and 80-plus RBIs.

These are the only real needs for the tribe. They could go after another bat to come off the bench, though if Broussard and Blake don't play, they would be useful in that role. Julio Franco is out there on the market, if the Tribe wants an immortal legend whom would be a good club presence as well.

If the Tribe can fill these needs, then maybe ESPN knows what it is talking about putting the No. 1 on their power poll. Chicago is a threat to repeat as World Series champs, but they have already shown to be not the brightest market dealers. Aaron Rowand for Jim Thome? Doesn't seem like the best move. What makes it worse is the thought of Thome in a White Sox uniform.

Almost brings a tear to an Indian's fans eye. Almost.

What this blog will be about

Alright, I say I hate these blogs, but since The Buchtelite, The University of Akron school newspaper, never gives me a chance to do editorials, I might as well do one on here. Maybe somebody out there will listen to me.

So I will be doing random sports topics, both Pro and College, mainly about the Cleveland Pro Teams and my Akron Zips. Plus rants and raves about whatever sport is big currently. And I'll even through in some predictions, for those of you who are making some bets and need some helpful advice. I seem to be great at picking the winners when nobody knows, let's see if I can do it when I put my predictions out in the open.

So come back and learn something from the only person who really knows what should be done about northeastern Ohio sports, good old Snippo.