Guest Redhawk Report post Posted July 29, 2002 The Seattle Times ran a career comparison of Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf. Some of the higlights: Manning has thrown 111 TDs to 14 for Leaf; Manning's 2002 salary is $6.4 million and Leaf's is $525,000. Anyway, I think Leaf shouldn't have started right away. Some guys can handle that type of pressure (Manning, Bledsoe, Couch), but some would be better served as an understudy for a year or two (Michael Vick, Daunte Culpepper, Brett Favre). Seeing as Leaf came out as a junior, when he had only really played two years of college ball (not to mention a lack of really big-time opponents with the exception of Michigan in the Rose Bowl), the Chargers should have been more patient and let him sit. I am by no means a Ryan Leaf apologist, but look at the situation he got thrust into: Limited college experience, huge salary with huge expectations, a semi-decent running game (I think they still had Natrone Means at the time), a shabby offensive line, no-name receivers, and playing in the AFC West, one of the toughest divisions at the time. No wonder he flamed out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
