OK fans, it’s time for you to stand up and speak out.
This is your sports section and as the sports editor of the South Valley Newspapers I am extremely interested in your take on a very important issue. Is it ‘Stangs or Mustangs, ‘Balers or Haybalers?
When I arrived here I was told by those that were supposedly in the know that it was ‘Stangs and ‘Balers period, end of subject.
But now I’m hearing more and more that may not necessarily be the case.
When we can satisfy our readers we make a concerted effort to do just that so visit our websites and vote in this week’s poll. If we get an overwhelming response and it is strong one way or another we will make the adjustments accordingly.
Now as for another issue that we want to take just a moment to clear up. Many Hollister readers have expressed a desire to see us refer to the athletic teams as Hollister rather than San Benito. This is different than ‘Balers or Haybalers. The name of the school has been changed to San Benito and thus we really have no choice but to refer to it as San Benito. Anything else would be wrong and confusing to someone reading the sports section that might not be from the area.
I know that all of the Hollister fans take great pride in the city but our hands are tied on this one when it comes to referring to the school itself.
But when using the mascot we want you to speak out. So San Benito fans vote for your favorite choice at freelancenews.com and Gilroy fans vote for your favorite at gilroydispatch.com
n Now to the NFL. One face is missing from the AFC Championship game and I for one couldn’t be happier.
Hope you enjoy the game on television Peyton “Mr. Overrated” Manning.
That’s right, I said it.
Those that know me have been forced to endure listening to me go off on how I feel he is just not a winner. And last Sunday was yet another example of just that. It was another classic choke job by the guy that so many consider to be the best quarterback in the NFL.
But before we concentrate on his professional career lets go back to his collegiate years. He was just as much a choker back then.
He’s never won the big game – Never!
As the starting quarterback at Tennessee he was unable to win the SEC title because he couldn’t beat the Florida Gators. And as for the National Championship, well clearly that was out of the question as well. But then the year after he leaves, Tennessee wins the National Championship with Tee Martin.
Who?
Exactly, somebody we’ve never heard from since.
But now to the NFL.
Manning has proved thus far in his career that he is the ultimate choker. He’s is the classic Dan Marino and Dan Fouts (Sorry Dolphin and Charger fans but it’s true)
Great quarterbacks, loads of talent, put up huge numbers, but couldn’t win the big one.
And thanks to the guru’s at CBS sports I’ve actually got numbers now that back up my claim.
Just in case you missed it here’s the clincher of all clinchers. How many fourth-quarter game-winning drives has Peyton Manning had in his career? The answer is 25. On the surface that seems awful impressive.
But here’s the closer. How many of those game-winning fourth quarter drives have come in the postseason? None. That’s right, he’s never won when it really mattered. And fort all of you that think I’m absolutely out of my mind ask yourself, “Who would you rather have as your quarterback in the game’s final two minutes.
I can name several quarterbacks that I’d rather have running my offense in the game’s final two minutes instead of Peyton Manning. How about Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Jake Delhomme and Brett Favre just for starters.
Make no mistake about it, Manning is one of the great ones but I just don’t think he has that fire in the belly that makes some a winner down the stretch. For example as a diehard New York Yankees fan there’s only one person you really want up with the game on the line – Derek “Mr. Clutch” Jeter. You close your eyes and pray when the game is in Alex Rodriquez hands in the postseason but it’s money in the bank when Jeter’s there. Now by the numbers ARod blows Jeter away but when it comes to clutch performances, Jeter is the man.
That’s Peyton Manning. Destined for greatness, just not a winner in the clutch.
Oh and how about the class act last week by Mr. Nice Guy throwing his Offensive Line under the bus after the game. Real class.
Will Manning make it into the Hall of Fame?
Absolutely, no question. But he’ll be there minus a ring. And if the day does come that he wins the Super Bowl I’ll eat my words. But for right now I’m not sweating the least and haven’t lost a night of sleep worrying about whether “eating crow” causes indigestion.
John Coscia is the South Valley Newspapers sports editor and can be reached at 408-842-9858 or at
jc*****@gi************.com
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