Speaking to Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer, Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert didn’t mince words about where his team stands with regards to Manning 10 days away from the Super Bowl. I’m proud of the effort we all put in to prepare each game as if it were our last. Football franchises have soared in value in recent years, and star players have become formidable brands in their own right, thanks to lucrative endorsement deals. If this does happen to be it, I hope he goes out on top with another Superbowl win.
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“By the time, the clock’s going down, you might have the last play”, he recalled. Boston asked. “One of y’all got to live! I hope he can win, but [his] impact has already been made, and his legacy should not be affected by this one game”. Basically you have a 50-50 chance on this one, which makes sense since it’s a coin toss. I’m trying to win.
The NFL Media analyst added, “I’m going to be honest with you”.
The 39-year-old Manning isn’t the same quarterback he was when Norman first faced him as a rookie during Denver’s win against the Panthers in 2012.
Head coach Gary Kubiak said he was in the dark about Manning’s career plans. Meanwhile, the team’s jerseys had the final touches sewn as their Super Bowl patches were stitched on. He spent this year dealing with injuries and had his worst season as a pro, throwing 17 interceptions and just nine touchdown passes. “No pressure at all, ‘Ÿ” Manning joked earlier in the day. Last year’s Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks was a pick’em, but the underdog was victorious in the previous five title games.
Denver Broncos running back CJ Anderson has highlighted the respect he has for Tom Brady after his side beat the quarterback’s New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game.
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Manning recognizes that the Carolina Panthers feed off the turnovers, saying, “Their offense takes advantage of the turnovers that the defense gives them”. “In fact, we’re going to see the age when quarterbacks retire change more and more from when I played. Just rooting for him and want the best for him”.
