Eli Manning won the Super Bowl. This means he's now making the rounds on the talk show circuit before he makes the predictable jaunt to Disney World. While a guest of Late Show with David Letterman last night, Eli answered some questions about the health of his brother, Peyton Manning (recap via Peter Botte of the NY Daily News):
Letterman concluded by asking Manning if he believes Peyton will return to the Colts next season after missing all of this one with a neck injury. The host playfully wouldn’t let him off the hook when Eli first replied that he’s unsure of his older brother’s plans.
"Everything’s good to go," Eli said when Letterman pressed him.
"He got a good report from his doctor, said, ‘Hey, you know, if you were my own son, I’d give you the okay to play,’ and so he’ll be ready," Eli said. "He’s healthy, now it’s just about getting to 100% where he can physically make all the throws.
"He’s doing well. He’s rehabbing. He was in good spirits all weekend, got to be with him a little bit, and, you know, he’s just trying to get 100%. He wants to play football – and I think he will."
Basically, this tells us what we already know:

For those of you out there still upset at the prospect of the Colts cutting Peyton Manning (which they will do), the arm strength issue coupled with his bloated contract are the reasons Colts ownership has to part ways with Manning. Right now, Peyton's arm is probably on par with Chad Pennington's, and you wouldn't pay Pennington $28 million dollars to play for your team next year, would you?
That said, I really, really, REALLY hope he gets his arm strength back. Peyton Manning must play next year, and he must play well. It's good for the league if he does, and I, for one, would cheer him on wearing another uniform (unless he were playing against the Colts, of course).
0 recs | 35 comments
Hope he gets better soon.
Whatever team he goes to will be my second favorite team…..but I still think it’s a huge question about whether he can get that arm strength back, and then who knows how his arm will react when he is asked to throw 40 times a game. I hope Irsay gets this done quickly so it doesn’t drag out.
coltsgolfbeer - February 7, 2012
They can’t re-sign Manning responsibly, but how the hell would you know his arm is probably on par with Chad Pennington’s? Have you seen him throw Your “journalism” is basically forum posts by a fan passing assumptions as facts except you have a blog.
nailrat - February 7, 2012
Have you seen Pennington throw?
I’d be willing to bet your arm strength is on par with Pennington. I would say comparing Peyton to Pennington right now is a safe bet.
Guy LeDouche - February 7, 2012
What I’m saying is that Peyton may have more arm strength than Pennington. Maybe not, but BBS has to go all hyperbole as usual.
nailrat - February 7, 2012
Or ...
He could have significantly less arm strength than Pennington right now. I don’t think BBS is making a scientific comparison as much as using Pennington as an example of a QB who’s smart, is a good leader and a fiery competitor, but who was held back from greatness because he physically couldn’t make all the throws.
Chris S. - February 7, 2012
Given his penchant for hyperbole and passing off opinions of facts, and assertions as arguments, you’re giving him an awful lot of credit there. That’s not how the bullet point reads to me.
nailrat - February 7, 2012
hahaha yeah i think nailrat has the better point here.
muncie_in_this - February 7, 2012
i agree with chris s.
i think you guys are trying a bit to hard to find fault in bbs’s article
omahacolt - February 7, 2012
i don't think you're trying hard enough
muncie_in_this - February 9, 2012
what are you talking about the bombs?
how many of those do you expect any QB to make every game. Timing, accuracy and knowledge of the game like Manning is not what Pennington was. Geez its like comparing a Hyundai with a Ferrari, They do the same thing but does it a whole lot better on the get go.
kbreboot - February 7, 2012
Arm strength isn't just for the deep ball ...
It also affects velocity. If he doesn’t recover his arm strength, he won’t be able to rifle the ball into the small windows he’s used to using. As well, even if he only goes deep once or twice a game, it keeps the defense honest. if Manning can’t throw a pass over 20 yards without it flying like a wounded duck, defenses will tighten up on him.
He might still have that magnificent football brain, but that won’t help much if his arm won’t let him do anything more than throw short routes to open receivers.
Chris S. - February 7, 2012
need i read more ( i agree with this guy)
Every writer on this forum seems to think they are in Jim Irsay’s head. IT DOES NOT matter what is obvious to us, That is cutting Manning for Luck. What matters is JIM, if he doesn’t want manning in another jersey then Manning may well be staying. He always said money is not the issue, health is. Please stop with the crap and assumptions and just wait for the announcement. If you are all wrong about this then what credibility do we have reading your crap. i mean putting “WHICH THEY WILL DO” in referencing cut, that really is your opinion and its not fact if it happens at all.
kbreboot - February 7, 2012
WHAT did he expect ELI to say
he wasn’t going to say anything else will always root for Peyton and when he plays the Colts will root for Colts and Peyton to have great game
OBGYNOSUPREME - February 7, 2012
peyton could replace his arm with a weed whacker
and still be 10x better than chad pennington
muncie_in_this - February 7, 2012 via Android app
Full of win.
James Broschat - February 7, 2012
thats just dumb
pennington was a good qb
omahacolt - February 7, 2012
It's a statement about their arm
Ty46 - February 8, 2012
pennington was good
manning was better than great.
muncie_in_this - February 9, 2012
manning was great
i would be shocked if he is again
omahacolt - February 9, 2012
Another post full of fail.
Classic BBS BS.
the_iowa_hawkeye - February 7, 2012
fof
A new term we could start using!
Guy LeDouche - February 7, 2012
I like it.
FOF
the_iowa_hawkeye - February 9, 2012
look..
It has begun!! I expect to se like 20webpages from 20 diferent teams fans.. ohh God! Peyton to another team>>> still can’t imagine it .. it’s going to be painful to see, more if he goes to be close to 100% at the start of the season… I know I know, colts are rebuilding and can’t keep him I understand all the variables it is like a perfect storm and given the unknowns if better to move on a year early than a year late. especially with a prospect like Luck.. but it still hurts a lot to think about it … for me 18 to 88 , 87, 85 is especial ,for me Peyton is the colts and the colts are Peyton.. God bless him! I’m going to miss him in colt’s blue..
http://manningtomiami.com/
thebossuzzi - February 7, 2012
Fuck Luck. Give me Peyton all day everyday.
KingRichard - February 7, 2012
YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!
muncie_in_this - February 7, 2012
yep part 2
if peyton wants to change up his contract (as he has hinted around) and can make the throws then i’m rollin with 18. i’m not ready for the upcoming LEAN years where we HOPE the new QB will not look like Gilbert from JAX who looks like he walked into compton at 3am. call me greedy all day everyday but even a average peyton beats most of the best QB with his knowledge and passion. draft a young gun regardless but lets not get in such a rush if he can prove he can and will work with his contract.
BigMan74 - February 7, 2012
you dont even understand the cap
manning is going to cost the colts an arm and leg no matter what he does
omahacolt - February 7, 2012
thats foolish
omahacolt - February 7, 2012
please Lord noooooooooo!
thebossuzzi - February 7, 2012
nice photoshop job but...
this is wrong on sooo many levels. i know he has a home there but at least give the man a 49ner uniform. there i go on record saying he wins the SB next year.
Straight Out The Burbs - February 7, 2012
think he would bump heads with harbaugh
they could win but two strong minded offensive minds….
BigMan74 - February 7, 2012
Try the TEXANS AND OR TITANS instead
because either one of those is a possibility. One that Jim and colts fans will reminded twice a year
kbreboot - February 7, 2012
a very very slim possibility
omahacolt - February 7, 2012
Wow, he even looks more tan in the Miami one.
Lell87 - February 7, 2012
Actually, it's kind of orangish...
must be using Crean’s tanning booth.
Yougotme - February 7, 2012
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