Criticism / Suggestions » and Melvin said the All-Star

(SportsNetwork.com) - Consistency has always defined Peyton Manning and that standard should ultimately decide his career fate. If Sundays disheartening 24-13 playoff loss to his old team, the Indianapolis Colts, turns out to be Mannings final NFL game, it will be a hat tip to Father Time, the one opponent every athlete is destined to lose to eventually. Manning looked every bit like a 38-year-old quarterback who has had four different surgical procedures on his neck Sunday, flashing little zip on his fastball and proving unable to deal with the Colts press coverage because Vontae Davis, perhaps the most underrated cornerback in football, and Co. simply werent scared of getting beat over the top. The quick hitches and bubble screens that have defined the Broncos offense since Peyton arrived from the Hoosier State for the 2012 season were impotent as Indys defensive backs jumped routes with impunity, forcing the weak- armed Manning, who finished 26-of-46 passing for 211 yards and a touchdown in the defeat, to misfire on downfield routes again and again. Those were my decisions, a forlorn Manning said after the game when discussing his downfield accuracy issues. A couple of them were called to go that way. A couple of them had some other options with it and some shorter passes with it. I ended up taking some long shots. Any time you lose a game, you always look to some incompletions and throws youd like to have back. And then some other ones, I possibly could have, probably should have gone to a shorter throw. Some context was added Monday when reports surfaced that Manning played the last month of the season with a torn right quad, suffered during Denvers Dec. 14 victory over the San Diego Chargers. The Denver Post, however, refuted that, saying Manning played with a strained quad and not a full tear. Whats clear is something was wrong with Manning late in the season whether it was the injury or just the general wear and tear an NFL season can take on a 38-year-old man. For what its worth Manning refused to blame his health saying, I felt good with (the quad) coming into the day. Empirical evidence says Manning was hurting at the bare minimum. He completed 77-of-121 passes for 990 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions during the month of December, a startling downtick when you realize Manning finished his 17th season completing 66.2 percent of his passes for 4,727 yards with 39 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. I didnt play as well consistently in the second half of the season, Manning admitted. I cant give you a great reason for that. I played well at times but not as consistently as I did in the first half of the season. Sundays setback was the ninth different time Manning has led his team into the postseason without winning a game, furthering the narrative that the five- time MVP shrinks in big spots. The fact that Manning quarterbacked teams have reached the playoffs 14 times in his 17 seasons is lost on the haters, who focus on the fact the legendary signal caller is underwater (11-13) against the NFLs best competition and has amassed just one Lombardi Trophy. The calendar will turn for Manning once again in two months and 40 looms after that, stark reminders that the arm strength isnt about to regenerate and what little athleticism Manning has left at this point is only going to regress further. In his post-game press conference, Peyton intimated a firm understanding that his football mortality, at least at the level he expects out of himself is at hand. My mind set right now is just disappointment after todays game, Manning said when asked if he was coming back next season as previously planned. I kind of need to process this game and well meet. I need to process this game, so Im disappointed right now is what I am. When pressed Manning continued to deflect. Yeah, I guess I cant just give that simple answer, he answered. Im processing it. So I cant say that (Im coming back). I could not say that. Manning can still succeed at this level as evidenced by his regular-season success but the sheer length of an NFL campaign works against him. The spry September Manning is still one of the two or three best signal callers in the game but the January one who has endured a season of hits looked like a guy with a tired arm who was mistake prone as well as inaccurate, not attributes you usually equate with Peyton. Things like pitch counts in OTAs and training camp will be thrown around as a recipe for future success, as will early exits in the regular season in order to protect Mannings health at all costs. Heck, if he wants to come back the Broncos might even consider letting another option handle the early-season load in order to make sure Manning is fresh for a potential stretch run, a tactic used often in places like the NHL, where the regular season isnt as important, but one that has never been attempted in the NFL at such an important position. The Broncos are expected to discuss Mannings health and the organizations future in a season-ending news conferences with coach John Fox and general manager John Elway later this week. I feel like the season was a waste of time, like we wasted all of our hard work, Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris said. We have to figure out what the plan is going to be next year and try to move on. Moving on could mean a divorce with Fox despite his success especially if the veteran coach stands it the way of highly-regarded offensive coordinator and Manning acolyte Adam Gase, who could get a head-coaching gig elsewhere if a succession plan in Denver isnt put into place. As for Manning, he has earned the right to decide his own future. Ive always taken a pretty accurate look and fair evaluation of myself, he said. If that habit continues, everything is in play including the realization that one of the greatest QBs in NFL history may be finished. Frank Tanana Jersey . Vargas (8-3) allowed four singles and two walks while striking out five, allowing only two runners from a diluted Twins lineup to reach second base. Mike Moustakas and Jarrod Dyson hit RBI singles in the second inning against Kevin Correia (4-10), and that was all Vargas needed. Doug Brocail Jersey . -- David Freese is starting to pick up his run production, which is something the Los Angeles Angels have been waiting half a season to see. https://www.cheaptigers.com/1719z-ronny-...sey-tigers.html. It was the start of one nice night for the goalie and the Minnesota Wild. Backstrom made 33 saves in his first win of the season and the Wild defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3 on Saturday in a rematch of their first-round playoff series. Ray Boone Jersey . -- Matt Rupert scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the London Knights extended their win streak to nine games by defeating the Owen Sound Attack 4-3 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Harold Castro Jersey . Today, well look at five frontcourt players today, here from the Bay Area. 1. AMIR JOHNSON (Raptors): I cant figure out what the issue or problem is, but based upon what Im seeing, hes not right.CHICAGO - Oakland Athletics catcher John Jaso remains out indefinitely with a concussion after visiting a specialist. Manager Bob Melvin was hoping Jaso would be cleared to return after seeing Dr. Micky Collins in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. But the doctor wants Jaso to try a different routine. Melvin said Jaso, sidelined since last month, will return to Oakland and wont resume baseball activities for at least a few days. Its too soon to speculate if he will miss the remainder of the year. Jaso also sat out most of last season with concussion-like symptoms. "Im more worried about the perrson than I am the baseball player," Melvin said.dddddddddddd Jaso is hitting .264 with nine homers and 40 RBIs. As closer Sean Doolittle appears close to returning from a strained muscle in the rib area. He threw a side session Wednesday and Melvin said the All-Star lefty could be activated Friday. Oakland outfielder Craig Gentry was feeling better but still experiencing symptoms after leaving Tuesdays game against the Chicago White Sox with a concussion. Nick Punto (hamstring) was available off the bench after being activated from the disabled list Tuesday. ' ' '