Do you get any sense that Manning will announce the Super Bowl is his last game? If you think about it, Manning doesn't just want to play another year for setting records, because he's bored, needs the money, etc. but rather because he wants to win another ring. He now has his chance. Even if he loses, as long as he doesn't "blow it" personally, he goes out on top. If he plays again next season, he may get his season of accolades on a retirement tour, but he risks ending his career on an injury, being replaced at QB, not making the playoffs, or being knocked out of the playoffs. If he announces his retirement and wins the Super Bowl, he gets his two weeks of accolades, retrospectives, and unlimited attention and writes a final chapter worthy of a Hollywood movie. If he waits to announce his retirement pending a win, the bloom will have been off the rose at that point.
- Jeff |
