Manning not a "rah-rah" leader, get over it

This is a subject I've been thinking about since the Super Bowl. After a blowout loss in the Super Bowl, much was made about Peyton Manning's refusal to deem the performance "embarrassing." After the FX came out from NFL.com, much was made about Peyton Manning not yelling and rallying his teammates.

Unless you've been on the moon during his entire career, you should realize one thing about Peyton Manning. He's an introvert. Introverts are not "rah-rah" leaders. We have had plenty of extroverted leaders during our time. Perhaps most famous is John Elway. Now Elway was a "rah-rah" leader in that his passion for the game shined through his 4th quarter heroics. This is a big reason why so many people gravitated towards Tim Tebow when he was starting. If Elway were a "7" when it came to "rah-rah," then Tebow was off the charts.

It's easier for most people (especially fans) to gravitate towards "rah-rah" leaders because it is easier to see the passion on the limited basis that we get to see these players. But there's the inherit difference. A "rah-rah" leader might shine through on Sunday's, while a leader of Manning's style shines through and influences on a daily bases. We hear about it, but that is less likely to get a fanbase excited than some guy screaming up and down the sideline after a big play.

The first thing that Bronco fans have to reconcile themselves with is that Peyton Manning will never be a "rah-rah" leader. He's never going to go to the sideline and scream at his OC "nobody but me gets the ball here!" The second thing Broncos fans have to reconcile themselves with is that "rah-rah" would have done nothing to change the outcome of Super Bowl 48.

Finally, you're never going to get a professional like Peyton Manning to say an effort was embarrassing. Why? The effort and the preparation was there, the execution was not. There is a big difference Broncos Country and I hope you understand that.

The next time you find yourself questioning Manning's leadership, I suggest you go back to the 7-3 game against Orton to end the season, or the 45-10 embarrassment in the Divisional Round after a miraculous victory. Rah-rah didn't help either of those efforts yet you never heard anybody question Tebow's leadership.

Elway deserves an "F?"

I've had my issues with the way Elway has done some things as an executive, but I would have to be pretty stupid to pen an article like this one from Bleacher Report. Go give it a read if for no other purpose than to thank the football gods that Mile High Report exists to provide the best Broncos coverage on the interwebs.

The gems from this heaping pile of fail hinge on a couple of misguided points, one being the latest free-agency crop....you know, the one that signed three All-Pro caliber players as starters to the defense while also effectively replacing a talented #2 receiver?

"The Broncos overspent." That is the verdict on Aqib Talib, nevermind that the contract is structured pretty much like a one-year deal will a minimal cap hit in year two if the Broncos decide to part ways.

It's hard to consider the moves to get Ware and Talib excellent decisions at this point because of the fact that they've yet to do anything in a Denver uniform. Sure, they're great moves on paper, but that won't win football games.

Isn't that what free-agency about? Filling holes that you see on paper? Next!!!

In 2013, the Broncos chose defensive tackle Sylvester Williams out of North Carolina and this year, Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby was the choice. Where is the middle linebacker the team hasn't had for what seems like an eternity? The jury is still out on Williams, but with Kevin Vickerson, Terrance Knighton and even Mitch Unrein already in the mix, selecting him wasn't a wise choice in the first round.

Back to middle linebacker. They tried. It didn't work out, it's not a big deal. If you understand the Broncos defense further than the cliff notes version this author used, you'll remember that the Broncos use their nickel sub package about 65% of the time. What does this mean? A three-down Mike is a luxury when all you need are two coverage guys and those can be conjured from other areas.

On to the DT argument, Vickerson has never been more than a rotational player, Knighton had some question marks after a very inconsistent tenure in Jacksonville, and Mitch Unrein at best will always be a #3 or #4 in the rotation.

The final stroke of stupid comes at the very end of the article where the author suggests bringing Peyton Manning into town was a big risk (are you ready for it) with Tim Tebow already in place!

Sure, the defense stepped up in a big way and Matt Prater's leg helped them win some of those games, but does any of that happen with Kyle Orton under center? Very simply, no. Tebow may have been unconventional, but he was a natural leader who still had plenty of good football in front of him. Elway chose to go another direction and in doing so, painted himself into a corner.

I'm all for healthy discussion, but I'm convinced after reading through most of this drivel I came away just a little bit dumber for my efforts. To quote the principal from "Billy Madison:"

What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

I'm glad Elway took the chance on bringing one of the greatest of all-time to lead the offense, I'm glad Elway bends over virtually every other executive when it comes to free agency, and happy for the most part with Elway's drafts. Come Training Camp, the biggest battles we will be talking about are back-up RB, LG, nickel MLB, 3rd CB and reserve safety. Sounds like a roster full of talent to me.

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