Chris Weinke used to play quarterback in the NFL, and, truth-be-told, he kind of sucked at it. From 2001-2006, Weinke played for the Carolina Panthers, tossing 14 TDs and 26 INTs during that span. He has the distinction of being the only starting quarterback to 'win' his first game as a rookie (Week One of the 2001 NFL season), and then lose the remaining fifteen. His career QB rating is 62.2, putting him in Curtis Painter territory.
Weinke is perhaps better known as the 28-year-old college quarterback who guided Florida State to a 1999 undefeated, national championship season after undergoing spinal fusion surgery. The same surgery Peyton Manning had back in August of 2011.
Weinke's throwing arm went dead after he was blasted by then-Virginia defensive end Patrick Kearney during a November, 1998 game.
"I lost everything, full atrophy in my throwing arm, the nerves that control my right arm were damaged,'' the former Seminoles quarterback said. "My head was awkward and I got involved in a head-on collision.
"I had total nerve regeneration. So I had to in essence re-teach myself to throw.''
For some, they are viewing the Weinke example as one that bodes well for Peyton Manning, and perhaps it does. However, it's important to point out just how silly it is for anyone to say, 'If a 28-year-old Chris Weinke can come back from spinal fusion surgery and play college football, then a 36-year-old Peyton Manning can surely return and play professional football!'
Dumb logic. Dumb, dumb, dumb-dumb, dumb-ditty-dumb-dumb, dumb.
For starters, Chris Weinke was 27 when he had his spinal fusion surgery. Peyton Manning was 35 when he had his, and the spinal fusion was supposedly the fourth procedure Peyton under went to recover. For those of you out there that can count, or have experienced the ages '27' and '35' at some point, you know there is a big difference between getting healthy in your mid-late twenties and your mid-late thirties.
Second, Weinke returned to play college football, a game where noodle-armed nobodys can go out there and sling the football around like it's nothing. Remember the 2001 Miami Hurricanes? Remember all that talent? Who was their quarterback?
Ken Dorsey. Ken friggin Dorsey. The man had no arm, but re-wrote Miami's passing yardage record books. College football quarterbacking, in a nutshell.
Please, don't make me explain just how utterly ridiculous it is to compare returning from injury to the play college football in the ACC is to returning from injury to playing in the NFL. Just trust me, and know that one is pretty much kid's play, the other is participated in by fully grown men.
Finally, we're talking Chris Weinke here people! CHRIS WEINKE! The longest pass play in his entire NFL career was 48 yards. He averaged 5.5 per attempt.
Yes, it is a great story. Weinke deserves a ton of credit for returning to play college ball in 1999. On some level, it should give people hope that Peyton Manning could come back and play at a high level in the NFL. However, don't bet on it. Don't consider it a done deal just because a guy like Weinke was able to return. The two situations are totally different.
If anything, take hope from the fact that Manning's surgeries are happening at a time when there have been rapid advancements in medical science. Peyton reportedly went to Europe for stem cell treatment prior to the spinal fusion surgery.
Also, for anyone out there thinking that the reason people like me want Peyton Manning cut is because he's injured and may never play again... WRONG!
I don't want Peyton cut because he's still hurt, though his rehab does factor into the circumstances. I want him cut because the Colts are moving on. They are rebuilding. With the team the Colts will field in 2012, if Peyton were still here, he'd have zero chance at winning a Super Bowl.
Again, zero. Nada. It. Will. Not. Happen.
Having Peyton Manning on any roster that is not competing for a ring is a waste! What I want is for the Colts to rebuild around Andrew Luck, and for Peyton to go to a team where he could win another ring. No quarterback in the history of modern football has won two rings with two different teams and had the kinds of numbers Peyton has amassed in his career.
If Manning were to go to another franchise and win a ring, he'd be the unquestioned greatest quarterback in NFL history. Montana, Bradshaw, Elway... none of those guys won rings playing for other teams. I'd love to see Peyton do it. That is why I want him cut.
0 recs | 51 comments
Hypothetical Question
What would be the bigger accomplishment – 1) Manning winning a Super Bowl with another franchise or 2) winning a Super Bowl with the Colts next year?
I would think the obvious answer would be him winning a Super Bowl with the Colts next year, right? I’m not trying to prove any point or anything, just curious.
With that said, I’m a selfish fan who want’s Manning to stay as a Colt, no matter how unrealistic it seems as this point. I’m going to root for the team no matter what though.
ColtsFanNChiTown - February 20, 2012
Actually him winning an SB with another franchise would be a bigger accomplishment since no other QB in NFL history has done so.
I rather have it be with the Colts but find it unrealistic at this time to expect such a thing with the Colts as currently constructed who are incapable of winning more than 2 games without him.
CF4L - February 21, 2012
Mr. Brad
I cannot argue with the logic of your post, even the last four paragraphs. But I do hate the last four paragraphs because I am emotionally attached to the Colts and Peyton Manning. You see, I lived and died with the Colts since 1964. I suffered through the many players leaving that caused me pain to see leave, Hendricks, Curtis, Unitas, Smith, Mackey, there are just to many to name. Because I am a fan great players leaving causes me pain. No, not the kind of pain that is suffered with real life, but the pain of being a committed fan of a team I am passionate about. Yeah, it’s a business, but us fans out here are fans because we follow our teams because doing that gets us away from the daily grind. So drastic changes of our teams can really bother us. So, before I fall into the category of a simpering pussy, I’ll close with this: I betcha if Manning does stay with the Colts and is healthy there will be more pundits out there who pick the Colts to get back to the playoffs this coming season than not. And I think they will be right.
tim55 - February 20, 2012
BEEN A COLT'S
fan for about as long as you have. I think you will agree that except for a couple of great Bert Jones years and a great year by Harbaugh, the Colt;s QB play until Manning was awful. The chance to avoid another couple of decades of lousy QB play could be avoided by taking Luck. As difficult as it is to move away from Manning its a move that has to be made.
javen - February 20, 2012
If Manning is able to play for 2-3 more years, who say's it's a move that has to be made?
ColtsFanNChiTown - February 20, 2012
BECAUSE THE
issue isn’t just his health, which is very questionable at best, its also an issue of spending another $28 million on a player that might never be the same. When a prospect like Luck becomes available without having to give up anything to get him its a decision that makes itself.
javen - February 20, 2012
No I agree you can’t keep Manning with the $28 mil bonus. I was going to restate what I wanted to say, but all the keep hypotheticals in my opinion is a waste of time haha. To make it short, if Manning is able to play and is willing to re-structure his contract, then I don’t think getting rid of him has to be made in that case. However, I think him and the Colts will be moving on…I’ll let my emotions deal with it when the time comes. Until then, he’s a Colt until I hear otherwise.
ColtsFanNChiTown - February 20, 2012
I HEAR YOU
Manning will be released on or before March 8th. At that point he has to determine if he is healthy or if is likely to be healthy in the near future. Until then I don’t think any team will sign him. A team may take a chance on the hopes that he will get healthy before training camp and offer him an incentive based contract. It won’t be close to the $28 million. I just don’t see how the Colt’s fit in to this.
javen - February 20, 2012
anyone with a brain
knows it is a move that has to be made
omahacolt - February 20, 2012
Stupid Comment
PeytonTheManning - February 20, 2012
keep on trolling, cool guy
omahacolt - February 20, 2012
So dumb
PeytonTheManning - February 20, 2012
Not against taking Luck at all, just would like
to see him schooled under Manning. I don’t think anyone can deny that with Manning starting another year or two on this team doesn’t make the team better with a backup of Lucks caliber. Not to mention that Luck will get playing time in the fourth quarter of games that in the past, it was unsafe to put in a backup to finish.
tim55 - February 20, 2012
While I think his chances of winning a ring here are almost zero – I will say almost because I wouldn’t have given the 2011 Giants a chance in hell – I don’t think there’s a place he could go where he has a much better shot. All the good teams have quarterbacks. There’s no 2009 Vikings sitting around just needing a Favre/Manning to make them a championship favorite.
nailrat - February 20, 2012
Ummm ... The San Francisco 49ers?
They’d dump Alex Smith for Manning in a New York minute.
The Miami Dolphins are also pretty good. They have a good defense, a good OL, decent RBs and WRs. They wouldn’t be a threat this season, but with good personnel moves in a couple of years they would.
The same with the Jets. They aren’t as talented as everyone claims, but they have a great OL and a good defense. Get an RB and a WR, another playmaker on defense (again a season or two) and they are as good as anyone in the AFC.
And how about those Broncos? Great defense. #1 running game in the NFL. Good WRs, though they probably need a veteran. Even the Tebow fans would admit that he would be better for getting the Broncos – and Tebow – a ring. Tebow could go back to the role that he filled so well for the Gators in 2006 with Chris Leak as the starting QB.
Also, the Giants went 10-6 in 2010, and that was with major problems in the WR corps. The main difference between the Giants in 2010 and in 2011 was Victor Cruz. So, what you are saying based on your own example is how much difference a Pro Bowl player can make.
an_auburn_fan - February 20, 2012
A couple of things
Harbaugh already said they aren’t going after Manning. He’s an incredible coach, and he doesn’t need a stop gap. He wants Alex Smith, and he’s going to keep developing him.
The Broncos don’t have a good group of WRs. That’s actually why Tebow didn’t throw for a decent amount of yards. None of them adapt and break off of their routes when he breaks the pocket. They’re all young, and they don’t have a ton of talent or a number one type.
His best chances are with the Colts or Texans. They are definitely a Peyton away from a ring. They would be the overwhelming favorites, and the only team without a glaring weakness. They also might be willing to part ways with Schaub, since he is so injury prone.
You also said the Giants were 10-6 last year, so it wasn’t a shock for them to go 9-7 and win the Super Bowl. The Colts were 10-6 with Manning, and they can have basically the same offense with him back. The defense can do nothing but improve.
With the Colts or Texans he would compete for a ring next season.
PeytonTheManning - February 20, 2012
hahha
really. the wr’s were the cause of tebows shitty numbers? hahha you have got to be kidding me. the only time he threw for yards was when they broke off their routes. hahha jesus christ man.
that was a good laugh
omahacolt - February 20, 2012
I like your posts...
But somebody is riding somebody’s nuts really hard…
PM can’t make anyone a contender until he can verify thy he can play at a high level. Hopefully he can…
(206)NightRidah - February 20, 2012
Obviously
There’s no need to debate what he will do, if he’s not playing. Why bother debating that? That’s boring. This isn’t an injury any of us can predict. Why bother with that guessing game? Might as well just wait and see on that. It is totally feasible to assume that he will only play again, if he’s at least very close to being able to play at the same level. He’s too competitive to play at a poor level.
Therefore, we can debate which teams he might be able to make contenders. We have plenty of crap we have to wait on in this situation. Damn contract, nerve regeneration, and Irsay flip flopping. Might as well just talk about things that could happen on the field. I’m tired of the off field crap. It’s gotten beyond ridiculous at this point.
PeytonTheManning - February 20, 2012
Word
And it just divides fans
muncie_in_this - February 21, 2012 via Android app
I was wording to you
Think I may have fucked up
muncie_in_this - February 21, 2012 via Android app
Or not.
Stupid app
muncie_in_this - February 21, 2012 via Android app
You seem to be having a fun time
That was a decent conversation with yourself.
PeytonTheManning - February 21, 2012
its all about fun
muncie_in_this - February 22, 2012 via Android app
if this is your insight
please stop calling other people stupid…..
12over18 - February 21, 2012
I don't
Just Omaha. He’s a waste of space on here. He just insults everyone who disagrees with him. If only his dad would have been better at using condoms.
PeytonTheManning - February 21, 2012
actually
i rarely insult anyone. although the same cant be said about the people (like you) who complain about me. all you kids do is try and insult me. which i find hilarious. just read what you guys type. you go on and on how i am a troll and blah blah blah but yet you guys just post follow me around and insult me and try and get a rise out of me.
it is pretty enjoyable. you complain and then do much worse. your hypocrisy knows no bounds
omahacolt - February 21, 2012
Ha
I copied and pasted my replies to you the first few times from your posts on the same board. Now, you are going to say that you’ve never posted comments that just call the last comment dumb? I have literally just been reposting your own stuff back to you. Now, you want to act like you belong anywhere near a high horse. Get over it. You’ve created a little child personality on here. It’s either actually you, or you just like wasting people’s time online. Either way, nobody takes anything you say seriously. Glad that it upsets you so much to have somebody constantly calling your comments dumb just to upset you. Nobody enjoys watching you do it, either.
PeytonTheManning - February 21, 2012
ha
i have called posts dumb, stupid and horrible. i never said i didnt say that. your reading comprehension is as bad as your posts
nothing you do upsets me. i find it hilarious how you kids act. you kids act 10 times worse to me than i act to anyone. rendering your criticism retarded and void
omahacolt - February 21, 2012
Worst Post Ever
PeytonTheManning - February 22, 2012
Just from this board
“anyone with a brain knows it is a move that has to be made”
“worst post i have ever read”
Yeah. You are a kind and gentle soul who only posts necessary info. Quit whining when you are the reason everyone hates you.
PeytonTheManning - February 21, 2012
not whining
just pointing out the hypocrisy. i couldnt care less what you or others think about me
omahacolt - February 22, 2012
I think that you are missing the point
Your argument is the age difference. I understand that Manning is 35 and that Weinke was 27 when he had his surgery. That cannot be disputed.
However, that’s really where the differences end regarding rehabilitation. Both Weinke and Manning dealt/are dealing with muscular atrophy, nerve regeneration and from the Quarterback position. What’s important is that Weinke’s nerves completely regenerated, and to the point where he was able to resume his football career.
I understand that he didn’t possess the talent to compare to Peyton Manning, but that doesn’t discount the fact that strength, feeling and range of motion returned to his pre-surgery levels. That is the important information which should be gleaned from this story. That is extremely encouraging for Peyton Manning.
Why you brought up Ken Dorsey….I really couldn’t say. No relevance here. Unless he had spinal fusion and experienced nerve regeneration.
BoilerUp1982 - February 20, 2012
I still do not think Manning will be a Colt next year
But this story is very encouraging for his health, rehab and possible return to a high level of playing.
BoilerUp1982 - February 20, 2012
The Ken Dorsey Point Is Relevant Because ...
A QB needs to have a strong arm to succeed in the NFL. In the college game, you don’t. Ken Dorsey proves this, and so do the guys who are #1 and #2 all time in wins: Colt McCoy and Kellen Moore. So, Weinke didn’t need to get back to full arm strength to lead an absolutely loaded college team filled with future NFL draft picks to a national title. Weinke at 80% arm strength was still more than good enough. Manning at 80% arm strength meanwhile is a backup in the NFL. And keep in mind: where Weinke was a 27 year old playing the college game (a man among boys) so losing arm strength wasn’t THAT big of a deal (especially in the Seminoles’ offense, which prioritized accuracy over arm strength), Manning is 36 years old, someone whose arm strength would have been declining anyway without neck surgery due to age and wear and tear.
an_auburn_fan - February 20, 2012
Funny write up...
But if Peyton Manning doesn’t think its dumb to talk to Weinke about his comeback from this injury then I don’t think it is dumb to compare the two. Yes we all know they are different ages, but I didn’t know there was an age limit on coming back from this injury. Common sense would tell someone though it would be harder if you were older…but not impossible.
I actually understand your view on moving on from Peyton. But you just don’t treat a Legend like he is a janitor at your local high school. Bring him back to finish his career IF you can. Luck isn’t an idiot either, he knows he would benefit from having Peyton there to learn from, no matter what he says about “starting right away”. Bob Kravitz’s opinion isn’t gospel and either is mine. But, it could work out… Peyton doesn’t need to win another ring to convice me about being one of the greatest.
JohnHandburgers - February 20, 2012
It Isn't The Age Issue
It is the fact that you don’t need a strong arm to succeed in the college game. So, even if Weinke’s injury diminished his arm strength, he could have still been a great college player, especially in FSU’s offense which emphasized short passes and RAC after vertical and difficult intermediate passing. But the NFL is totally different. Unless Manning regains nearly all of his arm strength, he is not a viable QB on a winning team.
Besides, I was living in Tallahassee when Weinke was recovering from his injury. Weinke recovered from his injury much quicker than Manning did. Remember: Weinke got hurt during the 1998 season, had the surgery and started every game of the 1999 season. Weinke DID NOT miss an entire season. And he certainly did not miss an entire season and STILL have major problems with his arm strength 6 months from the start of training camp the season after. THAT is the REAL reason why comparing Weinke to Manning is ridiculous, because if the comparison were relevant, Manning would have been on the field for the Colts last season, instead of having everyone wondering when and if he will recover this season.
an_auburn_fan - February 20, 2012
For The Millionth Time It Isn't The Health Issue
Manning’s health merely gives Irsay an excuse. The issue is that even were Manning 100% healthy, he is not going to be an elite NFL QB in 4 years because he is 36 years old, and the list of QBs that are extremely effective past 38 is tiny. Were the Colts a contender for anything other than the "championship" of the perennially lousy AFC South, this wouldn’t matter much, but no one can look at that roster and tell me that even Manning in his prime would lead it to a Super Bowl victory.
The Colts had a great run with Manning, but it is time to chase the future. You can either build for titles around a young QB, or you can chase stats and MAYBE a playoff victory with Manning. Luck may not pan out? Well you can replace him in 3-4 years if he doesn’t. Which is when you would have had to replace Manning anyway.
No player is bigger than the game. Even if Manning did build Lucas Oil Stadium, the Colts will still be playing there after he is gone, whether he leaves in 2012 or 2016. Irsay has to maximize his chances of having a winning team in the near and long term future. Manning will win you more games now, but big deal on a team that has one of the worst rosters in the NFL. If Luck pans out, there is a good chance that he will be a better QB at age 25 than Manning will be at age 39. And if he doesn’t, as stated above, you can replace him at the same time that you would have had to replace Manning away.
If you exclude the bad PR and the negative reaction from the Manning fans, it really is a no-risk move. That is, if your goal is to win a Super Bowl as opposed to simply have Manning around to chase stats and lead the team to first round playoff exits.
an_auburn_fan - February 20, 2012
HEALTH IS
an issue. But the biggest issue is the $28 million option.
javen - February 20, 2012
You approach this as if you’re playing franchise mode in madden, like all players just develop on their own. I agree, no player is bigger than the game but if you think Luck can develop more without Manning then I guess you’re right…just cut him and move on!
JohnHandburgers - February 20, 2012 via mobile
afc sucks
with heathy p.manning still dont understand why they wouldnt have a chance “a chance” not saying favorites “a chance”. to say they couldnt go 9-7 10-6 beat mighty baltimore,pitts,denver in plyffs is insaine to me how are they really that much worse than n.e.???
ccc182 - February 20, 2012
Personally...
I’m over it! It’s not personal but if you can’t play you can’t stay…Love watching PM light up defenses but time to move on!
(206)NightRidah - February 20, 2012
No one knows nothing about this no how no way
It’s hard to wait, but as Tom Petty said… "she was born in an Indiana town, had a good lookin’ momma who never was around’.
(yes, I intentionally quoted the wrong song).
buymymonkey - February 20, 2012
What I'd like to know is
Who has stated that the two QB’s and the arm problem/recovery potential are the same ? I mean, I haven’t heard anyone say that “if Wienke can recover so can Peyton”
I have, however, heard some folks say that it does give a glimmer of hope that IF it can happen to someone like Wienke – a former QB, then maybe it can happen with Peyton. I also heard them discuss how long it took Wienke to recover and they tried to sketch out a timeline with Peyton IF he was able to recover similiar to Wienke.
I’d like to know who the pundits are that are saying it’s relatively going to be the same thing with Manning as it was with Wienke. Just out of curiosity.
BoilerMacR - February 20, 2012
RG3 looks awesome
Been watching tape of him, and there isn’tmuch not to like about his game. He can make all the throws, he can use his legs to do damage when our piss poor offensive line breaks down, and he would present the colts with the unique and enviable situation of retaining Manning (if healthy) and bringing up RG3 behind.
Luck’s got size on him, but he strikes me add nothing more than a Matt Ryan type qb. that’s not necessarily bad, but that doesn’t get me excited at all.
I think at worst, both RG3 and Luck are still franchise qbs. But I think Griffin has potential to be damn near indefensible. And we would pick up additional picks trading out of the top spot. And we could keep Manning.
TheWeasley - February 20, 2012 via Android app
Uhhh
This has nothing to do with comparing Weinke’s ability to Manning’s.
It has everything to do with the fact that another QB was able to fully recover from the very same surgery that Manning is trying to recover from.
I don’t care how good or bad Chris Weinke is/was, but he was able to get his arm strength/nerve regeneration back to 100% pre-surgery form….which is exactly what we are all hoping happens with Peyton.
Age is an entirely different story and certainly plays a part, but the QB’s ability has NOTHING to do with the comparison.
kmbryant09 - February 20, 2012
See now that actually uses logic!
CF4L - February 21, 2012
Let's Face It
You just want him cut. He could ask to come back for league minimum and all us colts fans woudl still want him cut. That is what is great about America!
And your logic for cutting him. It gives him him the best change to win! has as much logic in it as the Wienke.
Colts don’t deserve Peyton, and at this point I have to admit never did.
Chuck136 - February 21, 2012
Never did
muncie_in_this - February 21, 2012 via Android app
worst post i have ever read
the colts dont deserve manning? hahahha! please explain that gem
omahacolt - February 21, 2012
And I don't deserve to read this dreck...
Tuck in your skirt fans…geez this blog is becoming media fcking take out. Lotta estrogen up in here! Man the fck up and ride with the new regime!! Get down or lay down…
(206)NightRidah - February 22, 2012 via mobile
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