Manning Wins AP Offensive Player Award
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By MICHAEL MAROT
AP Sports Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Peyton Manning just wanted to have fun this season. Breaking records and earning awards were novelties. The Indianapolis Colts star quarterback, architect of one of the best seasons in NFL history, earned his reward Wednesday as The Associated Press 2004 Offensive Player of the Year.
"We would have liked to have won all of our games, but it's been fun because of the freedom Tom Moore has given me, even to a higher level than before," Manning said, referring to the Colts' offensive coordinator.
It was no contest.
Manning won in a landslide, earning 35 votes from a nationwide panel of 48 writers and broadcasters who cover pro football. Eagles receiver Terrell Owens and Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper were next, each with four votes.
Manning became the first Colts player to win the award since Bert Jones in 1976 and the first quarterback to be honored since Green Bay's Brett Favre in 1995.
But at the Colts complex, the announcement seemed more like a formality than a celebration.
"I don't think it's a big surprise or there was a lot of suspense," coach Tony Dungy said. "When you look at everything we've done, I think it's well-deserved."
Manning produced almost unimaginable numbers in leading the Colts (12-4) to their second straight AFC South title, something the franchise hadn't achieved since winning three straight from 1975-77.
He threw 49 touchdown passes to break Dan Marino's NFL record of 48. Manning could have thrown even more had he not sat out most of Sunday's game at Denver, been pulled out of two blowout wins and knelt down against Baltimore when the Colts could have scored late.
He finished with a career-high 4,557 yards, extending his league record to six straight 4,000-yard seasons, despite throwing the fewest passes (497) in his seven NFL seasons.
His completion percentage of 67.6 also was a career high, the 10 interceptions a career low.
And Manning's passer rating of 121.1 shattered Steve Young's previous NFL mark of 112.8.
"If for some reason he didn't win it, it would be the biggest disjustice I'd have ever seen," Denver coach Mike Shanahan said. "To see that type of passing efficiency, touchdown-to-interception ratio, completion percentage, it's one of the best years I've ever seen."
Shanahan coached Young in 1994 when he set the record with San Francisco.
But Manning didn't just deliver statistics, he also elevated the play of his teammates.
Six-time Pro Bowl receiver Marvin Harrison tied a career high with 15 touchdowns and teamed with two previously unaccomplished receivers, Brandon Stokley and Reggie Wayne, to produce the first trio with 1,000 yards and 10 TD receptions.
"I look at him as the best player in this league because of what he's responsible for and what he does for our team," Stokley said.
Along with the three wideouts, Manning also relied on talented tight ends Marcus Pollard and Dallas Clark, a solid offensive line and Pro Bowl running back Edgerrin James.
Rarely, however, has a quarterback had so many options or been so dominant.
Manning threw six TD passes in a Thanksgiving game at Detroit despite an early exit, threw for five TDs three times including a memorable early-season shootout with Favre, and broke the NFL record by throwing at least two TD passes in each of the Colts' first 13 games.
"Amazing," Favre said. "I think they've built that offense to where they're at a point right now where they dare you to try to stop someone, and that's a hell of a place to be."
Manning is hoping bigger things still loom.
After sharing last year's co-MVP award with Steve McNair and leading the Colts to the AFC Championship game, Manning opens this year's playoff run Sunday against Denver with big aspirations.
"I know this is a special award for him," Dungy said. "But I know it's not the award he's really concerned about."
Running back Curtis Martin of the Jets received two votes, while fellow back LaDainian Tomlinson of the Chargers got one. So did Chargers quarterback Drew Brees and Falcons QB Michael Vick.
Ravens running back Jamal Lewis won last year's award. |
