Franchise QB

Here's another reason to admire Peyton Manning; from Rick Gosselin's column today:

Lord knows Peyton Manning has his detractors. But let me say this about Manning - he knows and understands his responsibilities as a franchise quarterback better than any of his peers.


Understand how the Pro Bowl works. Every quarterback in the NFL wants to be selected to the Pro Bowl but none want to make that trip to Hawaii to play in the game.

Brett Favre was selected to 11 Pro Bowls but only played in four - and not a one since 1997. Dan Marino was selected to the Pro Bowl nine times but only went to Hawaii twice to play in the game. John Elway only played in five of his nine Pro Bowls. Tom Brady has played in just two of his five Pro Bowls and none since 2005.

Manning has been selected to 11 Pro Bowls and has played in 10 of them. Manning goes to Hawaii every February for the NFL - not for himself. He understands what his presence means to the contest. When you play a game of stars, you need some of the biggest to show up. Manning knows that.

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