Did you ever read the “Bizzaro World” DC Comics series? Or how about the short lived “What If?” series that Marvel came out with? If you said “yes” to any of these, you’re a dork, and you’re just like me.
Twelve seasons into the Peyton Manning regime in Indianapolis, Manning is poised to break every quarterback record there is. But many people forget that before the 1998 draft, the Colts had a very hard decision to make, Manning or Ryan Leaf? From where we stand now it seems simple, but what if their fortunes had been traded … I wonder …
The Ryan Leaf side
After showing the Colts a huge amount of poise and maturity, the Colts select Leaf with the number one overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. Keeping his pill-popping a secret, Leaf graciously accepts his number 16 Colts jersey.
Paired with an offense that already featured Marshall Faulk and “Starvin” Marvin Harrison, Leaf steps in and looks like Ben Roethlisberger did in his succesful 2004 campaign. Leaf’s endorsements include Advil and Hefty in which he coins the cheesiest commercial line ever “now that’s one defense no leaf will ever get through.”
After several playoff seasons, the Colts break through in 2000 and win their first of three Super Bowls under Leaf. Thus reversing the fortunes of an entire decade for the Patriots and Steelers. Leaf becomes a marketing icon and after retirement, in 2015 releases an autobiography detailing his pill and meth habits in the early years of the NFL, the cover has Leaf giving the middle finger with his 2003 Super Bowl ring.
The Peyton Manning side
Pegged as a choker during his days at Tennessee, Manning doesn’t get off to a good start in San Diego. He has a giant chip on his shoulder to begin with, being the number two quarterback taken, Manning quickly takes an endorsement deal for a leaf blower, the campaign backfires.
His days as a Charger are limited, after two and a half uneventful seasons, Manning is finally released and signs with his dad’s old team, the Saints.
New Orleans proves to be too much for young Manning as he scored more photos drunk on a balcony as he did touchdowns. To add insult to injury, Mannning is out of the league by 2004 as the Saints trade up in the draft and release Peyton and take Eli Manning to be the heir apparent.
Top five games you can bet on this week:
5. Pittsburgh steelers (-10) over Kansas City Chiefs
Nice mid-season cake game.
4. Washington Redskins (+11) over Dallas Cowboys
Always a tight game, plus Jim Zorn can’t screw anything else up.
3. New England Patroits (-10) over New York Jets
New York, your football disaster is in full effect.
2. San Diego Chargers (pick ’em) over Denver Broncos
Can we officially say “choke” now?
1. Arizona Cardinals (-9.5) over St. Louis Rams
Sadly, Albert Pujols is the best football player in St. Louis.
Last week: 2-3
The season: 23-21-1
SeriouslyLions ‘09 (8-1)
Change you can believe in
Week 9: W 51-0 at Minnesota Vikings
Schools: 14-23 227 yards 3 TD, 4 rush 52 yards TD
McB: 19 rush 114 yards 2 TD, 1 rec 10 yards, KR 25 yards, 4 PR 17 yards
Julie: 2 rec 59 yards
Rick: 3 tckl
Chugs: 7-7 XP
SeriouslyPowerRankings
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)
The field goal fest wasn’t on their side, solid team regardless.
4. Minnesota Vikings (8-1)
A victory over the Lions doesn’t exactly get you back on our good graces, but nice try.
3. Cincinatti Bengals (7-2)
Somehwere there is a Steeler lurking with an eye on Carson Palmer’s other knee, only way this team can be stopped.
2. Indianapolis Colts (9-0)
Is it scary that Peyton Manning is playing the best football of his career?1. New Orleans Saints (9-0)
Un-beaten? Yes. Unstoppable? Maybe not.
You homer. What happened to you declaring the Steelers had to be taken out of your power rankings? While you’re looking for a replacement for that #5 spot, I’ve got another 6-3 team for you, except they know how to score points.