Behind The Scoreboard - Claude Vinson


Thursday, September 14, 2006
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Behind The Scoreboard
By Claude Vinson

Peyton beats Eli

It has been referred to as “The Sibling Rivalry Bowl,” “The First Family Of Football Bowl,” “The Manning Bowl,” and probably some other names which haven’t filtered down to us.

It matters little what you call it, it has been steadily hyped since it was announced back in April. That such a game should happen was ordained when both of these brothers started throwing a football way back when. It was inevitable. It was also clear that these two would not end up on the same team.

This game took interest precedence over some high athletic or sports contests, namely the WNBA championship which was played on Saturday and saw the Detroit Shock dethrone the Sacramento Monarchs. There were other notables which couldn’t hold a candle to the Sunday night game of Giants versus Colts.

Put yourself in the shoes of Tony Dungy (head coach of the Colts), or Tom Coughlin (head coach of the Giants), and coaching one Manning against another. If you are playing Dungy you must think that your “M” has the power of experience and savvy. If you are Coughlin, you think that pride and the expectations of outdoing an older brother will cause your “M” to prevail.

Both are about the same in stature; one inch and five pounds separate them on a physical plane. The younger has matured greatly in the last few years. So, no matter which side of the gridiron you are on, you are not giving up much.

I had expected to see papa Archie occupying a special seat in the middle of the end zone. Am I mistaken in thinking that I saw him on the Giants’ side?

Anyway, experience and a capable backup cast sustained the elder Manning and allowed a five-point margin of victory. There was no braggadocio in after-game comments by Peyton, although his little brother had won the only previous contest that they had gone head to head in (a basketball game in which Eli dunked on Peyton).

The NFL scheduling doesn’t have another regular season game with these two until 2010, assuming that they remain on their respective teams.

Is there anyone out there who doesn’t believe that this pair won’t meet in a Super Bowl before then?

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