Peyton Manning believes in Jared Goff, Detroit Lions' rebuild: 'There's something there'
Peyton and Eli Manning are both two-time Super Bowl champs, and in a few years, Eli will join Peyton in Canton, Ohio in the Pro Football HOF (it's gonna happen, just deal with it). So, they know something about playing the quarterback position at the NFL level.
On Monday, the two brothers were in their collective "studios" for alternate commentary during Monday Night Football on ESPN2 as the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers capped Week 2 in the NFL. Here are a few takeaways that may give Lions fans some hope (or stoke anger) as the season continues to evolve.
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Peyton understands Goff's situation
In the first part of the Lions first drive, Peyton Manning made it a point to discuss something he and QB Jared Goff have in common, being the new signal caller in a new system.
The one thing I enjoy about both Peyton and Eli's analysis of the games is that they're very understanding (and critical) of the quarterback position. They're peeling some of the layers back on what it takes to survive being a signal caller in the NFL.
"First year, in a new system, it's hard to determine what your second and third reads are," Peyton Manning said as the Lions were driving for the game's opening score. "It's easy to be locked in to that first read because that's what you feel most comfortable with — where is that second read, where is that third read. It just doesn't come to you as quickly in the first year of a system. Next year, he's going to be so much more comfortable."
Peyton is a believer in Lions, Goff
Late in the fourth quarter with the outcome already decided, Peyton's former Indianapolis Colts teammate Pat McAfee was the final guest. And the former NFL punter and current talk show host asked Peyton about his thoughts on the Lions and Goff.
Peyton delivered a thoughtful response and expressed his belief in Goff.
"Let's face it, Detroit is in a rebuild mode. ... A lot of draft picks coming up due to the trade with (Matthew) Stafford and Goff. It's going to be a frustrating season, they're gonna lose some games. But I'm telling you, what I saw last week with the way they fought in that second half, the way they started the game tonight, I mean there's something there.
"You got a lot of former players on the staff. They can relate to the players. Hopefully they can build a little mental toughness this season to kind of help them win some games next season. It's not going to be a great season this year for the Lions, there's too many young players. They lose (Jeff) Okudah last week.
"I like Jared Goff. Look let's face it. He got punched to the gut, Pat, by getting traded. I got cut, at least I had a choice of where I wanted to go play. Jared gets traded to a team he knows nothing about. It's a punch to the gut. He knows Stafford and the Rams are off to a good start. He's handled it like a pro. He's a mentally tough kid, you can build an offense around him. It's going to take a little time. It's not going to be today or this season. But I'm telling ya, Jared Goff has what it takes to be a championship quarterback, there's no doubt about it."
Rivalries never die
Peyton and Eli have a friendly, tongue-and-cheek rivalry with one Tom Brady, you may have heard of him.
However, Peyton and Tom have what I like to jokingly call, "forever beef". Something that amounts to a sibling rivalry on steroids. Well, during the Monday night broadcast, Peyton couldn't help but twist the knife and poke some fun at the Patriots propensity for espionage.
“Every time I played against New England, I used to talk to my receivers in the showers. Don't talk about a play next to my locker because I know it's bugged.”
Peyton Manning on when the Patriots used to come to Indy 😂
pic.twitter.com/A0dx2isg3z— The Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) September 21, 2021
Gronk stops by and reveals a few things
On Peyton and Eli's version of Monday Night Football, they'll have around 3-4 guests from the sports and entertainment world. One of their first guests was Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end, Rob Gronkowski and when Gronk has an open mic you have not idea where he's going to take things.
During the broadcast, Gronkowski discussed Jared Goff's habit for working the "check down" routes on plays.
"The check down game is huge," Gronkowski said. "When a team is playing Cover 2 or Cover 4 and they're dropping a lot, because if everybody's going deep it spreads out the defense. It's tough to throw the deep ball — you check it down and you can gain five, six, seven yards every time."
Just second after a solid breakdown of Goff's effectiveness with the check downs. Gronk just couldn't help himself and discussed his film study habits — or, lack thereof.
Gronk says he watches zero film and just asks Tom Brady who’s covering him every week pic.twitter.com/xJJHdQkS6o
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) September 21, 2021
Gotta think head coach Bruce Arians loved hearing that during the broadcast.
Contact Andrew Hammond at aahammond@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @ahammFreePress. Check out some of the tremendous offers from the Detroit Free Press and subscribe today!
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Why Peyton Manning believes in Detroit Lions' rebuild
