5 On Your Side Sports Blog

By John Chandler

Peyton Manning has thrown for more yards in his nine year career (37,586) than every Chicago Bears quarterback since 1993 -- combined. His annual touchdown totals (26-26-33-26-27-29-49-28-31) read like an All Star's yearly home run tally. In fact, he hits deep more often than the Kansas City Royals.

Peyton Manning could start writing his Hall of Fame speech now; he's a sure thing... if you like, 6-5, 250 pound quarterbacks with a laser, rocket arm.

Yet his critics (the same sticklers who place Dan Marino on the "B" list) will hesitate to call him great. And a winner? Forget it. Not until he wins a Super Bowl.

Now, I'm not a fan of labels. In fact, if you ask me, we're too quick to pull the trigger on them. Some Johnny-throws-lately leads his team into the playoffs and we cannot wait to slap a "great" or "next" onto his name.

So, for the sake of clarity, let's put this matter to rest. If labels are your thing, then try these on for size: good, great, super.

For example: If Donovan McNabb (one Super Bowl appearance) is good, Manning is great, and Tom Brady (3 rings) is super.

Joe Montana? Super. Troy Aikman, John Elway, John Unitas? Super, super, super. Jim Kelly? Just great, thanks. Ditto, Dan Marino.

Doug Williams (right)? He was super for a day, at least. Trent Dilfer? OK, so much for that theory.

But you get the point. On Sunday, Peyton Manning can make it a moot one by winning Super Bowl 41.

Prediction Time
The Colts offense is hard to ignore. Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, even defensive tackle Dan Klecko has sure hands. But what is it about the Bears? They have a swaggar about them, especially on defense. You get the feeling all of Peyton's gesturing and jabbering at the line of scrimmage won't intimidate the Bears. But his first touchdown, thrown off his back foot in the face of a blitz on 3rd and long, just might.

Colts 28 Bears 17

Cleveland, what do you think? Send your thoughts to the Alltel SoundOff and make sure to tune into our special Super Bowl Sunday edition of the Toyota Sports Sunday... starting early at 11:20 PM.