Rocky Mountain Hyperbole

Newsflash: the Huffington Post out of Denver is reporting that on his first snap from scrimmage, Peyton Manning went deep — and threw an incomplete pass.

What? That’s news? I’m afraid so ladies and gentlemen.

I’m not sure how we “progressed” to this brand of news telling but, to call it absurd would be an understatement. Apparently, all of the major news outlets can’t get enough of blowing Peyton Manning trivia up into full blown Peyton Manning trivia.

On July 28th, ABC Sports reported that, “Peyton Manning shines in Broncos first padded practice.” I’ll bet that was a hot topic around the water coolers in Denver on the 29th.

On Tuesday, last week, Bill Williamson of ESPN published an article and questioned, “Is the deep ball a problem in Denver?” Bill does a good job with the AFC West for the mothership but, what I’d want to ask Bill is,”Really? That’s the big story that needs covering in Denver this week?”

On Wednesday, CBS Sports reported that, “Peyton Manning looks good in Broncos two minute drill.” I was surprised the story wasn’t called, “Manning looked good in a Broncos uni.”

Nine days ago the NFL Network was proclaiming that Peyton Manning was the biggest story of this off season. Should anyone be surprised? Not when you consider the inordinate amount of attention the networks — and other news factories — have placed on Manning — whose story — simply put — is about a player, at the back end of his career, leaving his team and going to another.

Has a familiar ring doesn’t it? Unscramble these letters to find the answer: Frett Bavre

Add in the fact that Manning didn’t play last season because of multiple neck surgeries and you have a clear cut reality show drama. Right? Right??

Honestly? Where’s the drama? Yes, Manning replaced the notorious Tim Tebow but, isn’t Tebow his own story?

Could these recent stories really be exciting the masses of Broncos fans around the globe? Are people making much ado about nothing? Perhaps these sporting outlets are attempting to recreate another Brett Farve story but, it doesn’t ring true.

While I would concur that the “Manning-to-the-Mules” story in March was one of the bigger off season dramas. Realize that whole process, from beginning to end, only lasted 13 days, just under two weeks.

Also, I just can’t buy into the popularized notion that he will save Denver or make them a contender this season. Oh, he may eventually lead them to greener pastures — it just won’t be green enough. I know many people will say, “I’d sure like to have him as my team’s QB.” However, I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.

One of the reasons people are making much ado about

nearly

nothing, when it comes to Peyton Manning, is that they aren’t familiar with the regression of his passer rating.

Using this data to project how Manning will do in 2012 shows he’ll most likely produce a passer rating between the mid 80’s and 90’s. It’ not that Manning can’t win with a passer rating that low but, not likely since he’s changed cities and his familiarity with teammates and his coaching staff is at an all time low.

So, what’s the real attraction here?

I believe it’s really the NFL’s version of — reality television.

One-time Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning — son of ex-NFL QB Archie Manning –brother of the two-time winning Super Bowl NY Giants QB Eli Manning… it’s a family affair that’s been getting documented for decades now and… it’s no different from any other real-live-ongoing-true-life TV drama.

Have we progressed to point that reality TV is — news? It is when Tim Tebow is considering whether or not he wants to be on “The Bachelor.” I just can’t tell the difference these days between The Bachelor and the NY Jets. I imagine Mark Sanchez would agree and is probably just hoping that he doesn’t get voted off the island each week.

I’ve long enjoyed NFL Films projects produced by Ed Sabol and then Steve Sabol. They revolutionized the process of bringing the sights and sounds of the game on the field directly into America’s living rooms. However, I’m not sure that this is what they envisioned that the coverage of league would ever evolve into.

A “Tweety” bird used to be one of my favorite cartoon characters. Now — it’s just a way for faux-star players to shock the world by sharing — that they just put strawberry jam on their toast.

Some things are news, some aren’t. However, I can’t even count the number of times I’ve seen the NFL Network, and ESPN, showing Peyton Manning’s off season “highlights” — the highlights of him slowly walking from his car all the way into the Denver Broncos Football complex. It’s amazing too — he makes it there every single time.

It’s sad really, because to me it’s far more interesting that players put strawberry jam on their toast.