Manning vs. Leaf: Gentlemen, start your rivalry

[WARF]

By Ian Browne
CBS SportsLine Staff Writer
April 18, 1998


http://www.sportsline.com/u/photos/ap/apr98/Manningleaf41898.jpg



NEW YORK -- Now that they've officially been drafted, the rivalry has officially begun.

Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf. They went first and second, respectively, in Saturday's NFL Draft, and that's the way it should be.

Two quarterbacks with cannon arms, broad shoulders and endless potential.

They'll
The rivalry between Ryan Leaf, left, and Peyton Manning will extend far beyond Saturday's NFL Draft. (AP)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

be forever linked. There's just no way around it.

"We probably will be (linked forever). I hope so," Leaf said. "That's no problem with me. It just means I'm in some pretty good company."

Hopefully, for the sake of Leaf and Manning, this rivalry will be a little less one-sided than Drew Bledsoe vs. Rick Mirer. That was the last hot QB controversy on draft day, when the Patriots opted to take Bledsoe at No. 1 and the Seahawks settled for Mirer at No. 2.

Five years later, Bledsoe is a perennial All-Pro for the Patriots. Mirer, now in Chicago after being run out of Seattle, has been mired in mediocrity.

LEAF, WHO WENT TO THE same college (Washington State) as Bledsoe and had similar success, has no worries about being the next Mirer. Nor did he have any complaints about being picked second.

Truth be told, Leaf had a hard time hiding just how badly he didn't want to be an Indianapolis Colt.

"Nah, I was just being courteous. I told Peyton, 'You can go first.' I have no ill feelings about not being picked first. To me, he was 1A and I was 1B."

But there was no A and B in terms of where Leaf wanted to play. He wanted San Diego. Like John Elway back in 1983, he didn't want the Colts.

"My family had all Charger hats and shirts with them. They were prepared for San Diego," Leaf admitted. "I don't know what the response would have been if I was picked by Indianapolis."

SURELY, HE WOULDN'T HAVE HAD the same wide-eyed look he had when the Chargers picked him.

"I'm one of the luckiest QBs in the country to get a chance to play for these guys," Leaf said. "Coach Gilbride is an offensive mastermind."

Meanwhile, Manning once again gets the short end of the stick.

His senior season fell just short of its ultimate goals -- a Heisman Trophy and a national championship. Now, he starts his NFL career in a small media market where basketball is king, and his new head coach (Jim Mora) just happens to be a defensive guy.

But Manning wouldn't be special if he couldn't overcome such obstacles. Having played out his college career in full, he's a seasoned quarterback worthy of the hype.

A truly great athlete is one who doesn't whine about where he plays. The great ones know they will be great wherever they go.

But hockey's Eric Lindros is still remembered somewhat for shunning the Quebec Nordiques back in 1991.

EVEN THE LEGENDARY ELWAY begged the Colts not to select him, insulting an entire city and franchise in the process. That's something owner Jim Irsay would not lose sight of on a day that turned the direction of a franchise that hasn't really been taken seriously since abandoning Baltimore back in the early 1980s.

"John Elway didn't want to play for the Colts. Peyton Manning wanted to play in Indy, and we wanted to have him," Irsay said.

Manning would have played in Des Moines, Iowa, if he had to. This guy just wants to play football. He doesn't care where.

"I'm glad to finally know where I'm going," said the son of former NFL star QB Archie Manning. "I'm ready to go to work. I want to start right now. Where are the pads?"

IN FACT, THE MORE YOU LISTEN to Leaf and Manning, rivalries like Bird-Magic and Lemieux-Gretzky come to mind quicker than Bledsoe-Mirer.

Being a true superstar is so much more than just talent. So much of it is character, intelligence and the willingness to get better.

Even at this early stage, Manning and Leaf know what they are up against.

"I'm going to struggle my rookie year no matter what. But I'll struggle less because I went back (to Tennessee) for my senior year," said Manning. "I just want to learn everything quickly. It's like being a freshman all over again. The defenses will be so much more quicker and more complex."

Leaf, who chose not to hang out for his senior year, isn't quite as poised as Manning. In fact, he admittedly is a bit awe-struck.

"I'm going to be out there against John Elway, Warren Moon and Jeff George. I idolized those guys," Leaf said. "How can I go out there against John Elway and think I'm better?

"The defensives will be quicker and my window of opportunity on pass routes will be limited when I'm throwing at a defensive back like Deion Sanders."

THESE AREN'T YOUR TYPICAL HIGH-ROUND draft choices who think they can conquer the world. Manning and Leaf respect history. They respect each other. And they respect the competition.

That's why this rivalry will be something for the ages.

Nothing excites a football fan more than a great quarterback, and Leaf and Manning should create excitement for about the next decade and a half. Their respective employers are counting on it.

Animated as an owner could possibly be on draft day, Chargers boss Alex Spanos told Leaf -- in front of the massive media entourage, no less -- exactly what he expects.

"Where is Ryan?" Spanos said, looking in the corner of the room where Leaf was standing. "I hope he hears what I have to say. Ryan, boy, I tell you. I'm looking to you for the next 15 years."

And so, too, will football fans everywhere. The same goes for Manning.

Ian Browne is a sportswriter on CBS SportsLine's staff.

[Sarge's Little Helper]

By Ian Browne
CBS SportsLine Staff Writer
April 18, 1998


http://www.sportsline.com/u/photos/ap/apr98/Manningleaf41898.jpg



NEW YORK -- Now that they've officially been drafted, the rivalry has officially begun.

Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf. They went first and second, respectively, in Saturday's NFL Draft, and that's the way it should be.

Two quarterbacks with cannon arms, broad shoulders and endless potential.

They'll
The rivalry between Ryan Leaf, left, and Peyton Manning will extend far beyond Saturday's NFL Draft. (AP)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

be forever linked. There's just no way around it.

"We probably will be (linked forever). I hope so," Leaf said. "That's no problem with me. It just means I'm in some pretty good company."

Hopefully, for the sake of Leaf and Manning, this rivalry will be a little less one-sided than Drew Bledsoe vs. Rick Mirer. That was the last hot QB controversy on draft day, when the Patriots opted to take Bledsoe at No. 1 and the Seahawks settled for Mirer at No. 2.

Five years later, Bledsoe is a perennial All-Pro for the Patriots. Mirer, now in Chicago after being run out of Seattle, has been mired in mediocrity.

LEAF, WHO WENT TO THE same college (Washington State) as Bledsoe and had similar success, has no worries about being the next Mirer. Nor did he have any complaints about being picked second.

Truth be told, Leaf had a hard time hiding just how badly he didn't want to be an Indianapolis Colt.

"Nah, I was just being courteous. I told Peyton, 'You can go first.' I have no ill feelings about not being picked first. To me, he was 1A and I was 1B."

But there was no A and B in terms of where Leaf wanted to play. He wanted San Diego. Like John Elway back in 1983, he didn't want the Colts.

"My family had all Charger hats and shirts with them. They were prepared for San Diego," Leaf admitted. "I don't know what the response would have been if I was picked by Indianapolis."

SURELY, HE WOULDN'T HAVE HAD the same wide-eyed look he had when the Chargers picked him.

"I'm one of the luckiest QBs in the country to get a chance to play for these guys," Leaf said. "Coach Gilbride is an offensive mastermind."

Meanwhile, Manning once again gets the short end of the stick.

His senior season fell just short of its ultimate goals -- a Heisman Trophy and a national championship. Now, he starts his NFL career in a small media market where basketball is king, and his new head coach (Jim Mora) just happens to be a defensive guy.

But Manning wouldn't be special if he couldn't overcome such obstacles. Having played out his college career in full, he's a seasoned quarterback worthy of the hype.

A truly great athlete is one who doesn't whine about where he plays. The great ones know they will be great wherever they go.

But hockey's Eric Lindros is still remembered somewhat for shunning the Quebec Nordiques back in 1991.

EVEN THE LEGENDARY ELWAY begged the Colts not to select him, insulting an entire city and franchise in the process. That's something owner Jim Irsay would not lose sight of on a day that turned the direction of a franchise that hasn't really been taken seriously since abandoning Baltimore back in the early 1980s.

"John Elway didn't want to play for the Colts. Peyton Manning wanted to play in Indy, and we wanted to have him," Irsay said.

Manning would have played in Des Moines, Iowa, if he had to. This guy just wants to play football. He doesn't care where.

"I'm glad to finally know where I'm going," said the son of former NFL star QB Archie Manning. "I'm ready to go to work. I want to start right now. Where are the pads?"

IN FACT, THE MORE YOU LISTEN to Leaf and Manning, rivalries like Bird-Magic and Lemieux-Gretzky come to mind quicker than Bledsoe-Mirer.

Being a true superstar is so much more than just talent. So much of it is character, intelligence and the willingness to get better.

Even at this early stage, Manning and Leaf know what they are up against.

"I'm going to struggle my rookie year no matter what. But I'll struggle less because I went back (to Tennessee) for my senior year," said Manning. "I just want to learn everything quickly. It's like being a freshman all over again. The defenses will be so much more quicker and more complex."

Leaf, who chose not to hang out for his senior year, isn't quite as poised as Manning. In fact, he admittedly is a bit awe-struck.

"I'm going to be out there against John Elway, Warren Moon and Jeff George. I idolized those guys," Leaf said. "How can I go out there against John Elway and think I'm better?

"The defensives will be quicker and my window of opportunity on pass routes will be limited when I'm throwing at a defensive back like Deion Sanders."

THESE AREN'T YOUR TYPICAL HIGH-ROUND draft choices who think they can conquer the world. Manning and Leaf respect history. They respect each other. And they respect the competition.

That's why this rivalry will be something for the ages.

Nothing excites a football fan more than a great quarterback, and Leaf and Manning should create excitement for about the next decade and a half. Their respective employers are counting on it.

Animated as an owner could possibly be on draft day, Chargers boss Alex Spanos told Leaf -- in front of the massive media entourage, no less -- exactly what he expects.

"Where is Ryan?" Spanos said, looking in the corner of the room where Leaf was standing. "I hope he hears what I have to say. Ryan, boy, I tell you. I'm looking to you for the next 15 years."

And so, too, will football fans everywhere. The same goes for Manning.

Ian Browne is a sportswriter on CBS SportsLine's staff.

Oops. I wasn't paying attention. Tell me again what is going on.

[MAX]

Cryin' Leaf!!! lmao!!!

Forgot about that fag. Remember that infamous tantrum he threw in the locker room? I remember Rome playin' soundbites everytime his name was brought up.

My, how time flies...

[Little Texan]

He made Rick Mirer look like Joe Montana!

[WARF]

And Heath Shuler look like..... well... Heath Shuler....

[Little Texan]

I wonder whatever became of Leaf? What's he doing these days, working the drive-thru at McDonalds?

[Little Texan]

I think Phillip Rivers is going to be another Ryan Leaf.

[Little Texan]

http://espn.go.com/page2/s/immerman/020729.html

[Unchainme]

http://i.cnn.net/si/si_online/covers/images/1999/0419_large.jpg

Can't Forget Couch Against Smith, Two Of The Biggest busts, And The Browns Could Have Got MCNABB, Yup I'm still pissed about that one.

[EbDawson]

Originally posted by Little Texan
I wonder whatever became of Leaf? What's he doing these days, working the drive-thru at McDonalds?

The only thing he ever accomplished in San Diego was he married a really hot broad who had been a Charger cheerleader. Guess it doesn't take much to impress some women. Other than that, he was a waste of space.

[POJO_Risin]

Originally posted by Unchainme

Can't Forget Couch Against Smith, Two Of The Biggest busts, And The Browns Could Have Got MCNABB, Yup I'm still pissed about that one.

Oh...c'mon...there wasn't ANYONE in Cleveland screaming for McNabb...

Everyone wanted fucking Couch...

[POJO_Risin]

http://z.lee28.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/leaf-si.jpg

[POJO_Risin]

Some interesting commentary from a site called...Where have you gone Ryan Leaf:

During the 1960's a generation asked "Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio." Society was in a state of change and the innocence of past decades had been lost. A generation yearned for the days of Joe DiMaggio, a much simpler time when everything seemed to make sense.

Today cynical generation Xers ask a different question -- more of a morbid curiosity than a yearning. To them Ryan Leaf represents the ultimate anti-hero. Blessed with immense physical talent matched only by immaturity and arrogance, he tossed a promising career aside, gave the establishment the 'bird', and retired at the age of 26 as a millionaire.

Where have you gone Ryan Leaf?

[POJO_Risin]

http://z.lee28.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/leaf4.jpg

[POJO_Risin]

He went from franchise a QB, the second pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, to the poster child for today's spoiled athletes, a monumental bust, to retirement -- all by the tender age of 26. Ryan Leaf's story is one of unfulfilled expectations, disappointment, and wasted talent.

Who would you take with the #1 overall pick, Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf? As unfathomable as it seems now, it was debated by everyone that possessed even a casual interest in pro football prior to the 1998 NFL Draft. Although Manning ended up being selected first overall by the Indianapolis Colts, there were several draft "experts" that felt Leaf would be the better quarterback.

The legend of Ryan Leaf began C.M. Russell high school in Great Falls, MT. It was there that he first began to wow people with his golden right arm and frustrate them with his arrogance. Leaf, while a star on the football field and basketball court, was not a favorite of his teammates or the locals. In fact, up to this point, Russell High has not retired the jersey of it's most famous alumnus.

From there he moved onto Washington State University in Pullman, WA. Following in line of Timm Rosenbach and Drew Bledsoe, Leaf continued the University's tradition of QB excellence. A First-Team All American (ahead of Manning) and Heisman trophy finalist in 1997, Leaf passed for nearly 8,000 yards in his collegiate career and led the Cougars to their first Rose Bowl appearance since 1931.

Figuring he'd accomplished everything he could at the college level, and that his NFL stock couldn't get any higher, Leaf left Pullman after his junior year to begin what would assuredly be a standout pro career. The San Diego Chargers, slated to pick third in the 1998 Draft, saw Leaf work out and just had to have him. The problem was, he wasn't going to make it past the second selection which was owned by the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona meanwhile, already had a young QB phenom in Jake Plummer and was offering the pick to the highest bidder.

The Chargers were the suckers they were looking for. In exchange for moving up one spot in the draft, the Chargers gave Arizona their first round pick (3rd overall), their second-round pick (32nd overall), their 1999 first-round pick, as well as wide receiver/kick returner Eric Metcalf, and linebacker Patrick Sapp.

[POJO_Risin]

http://z.lee28.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/manning-leaf.jpg

I'll be honest...I thought Leaf would be a better QB...he looked incredible against I think Michigan in the Rose Bowl...

[POJO_Risin]

Which would explain why I don't get paid to make football decisions...lmfao...

[POJO_Risin]

http://z.lee28.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/leaf-chargers.jpg

This picture says it all...

[DrMaddVibe]

He played like a QB in college...give him a lot of money and watch him moan!

[POJO_Risin]

San Diego Chargers 1998

The Chargers were thrilled to draft Leaf, even if it took a king's ransom to make it happen. In July they inked their franchise savior to a four year contract worth up to $31.25 million, including an $11.25 million signing bonus. On August 5, Chargers head coach Kevin Gilbride announced Leaf would be the team's starting quarterback.

Leaf's NFL career began with promise as the Chargers began the 1998 season 2-0. Although his numbers were mediocre (1 TD pass, 2 INTs), Leaf became the first rookie QB since John Elway in 1983 to win his first two starts.

The good times came to a screeching halt however, in the season's third game at Kansas City. Leaf actually completed more passes to Kansas City players, two, than he did to his own team, one. He finished the game 1-15 for 4 yards. The loss began a four game losing streak, which lead to Gilbride's dismissal. June Jones, who had been acting as the team's QB coach, was named as his replacement on an interim basis.

The Chargers defeated Philadelphia 13-10 in Jones' debut, but then lost two straight before benching Leaf in favor of Craig Whelihan. Leaf would appear in just one more game that season, a 38-17, Week 15 loss to Seattle. All told, Leaf appeared in 10 games during his rookie season, completed 45.3% of his passes (111-245) for 1289 yards, 2 TDs and 15 INTs. The Chargers finished the season 5-11, let Jones go, and hired Oregon State head coach, Mike Riley.

Leaf's rookie season was also a failure off the field. In September he created a scene by cursing at a cameraman who was standing in front of his locker and then unleashing a tantrum on a newspaper writer who had written about the incident the following day. The second incident was captured on camera and shown nationally. In December, he was accused of sleeping in a team meeting and just "going through the motions" after being benched.

[POJO_Risin]

http://z.lee28.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/leaf-sd4.jpg

The bad boy himself...moron...

[POJO_Risin]

San Diego Chargers 1999-2000




The 1999 season was a disaster for Leaf. In June he decided to play in charity golf tournaments rather than attend a voluntary mini camp. Then on July 23 during his pre-camp physical, doctors discover a tear in his right labrum (a muscle in the shoulder).

On August 19, Leaf tried to confront a heckler who called him a loser and compared the injured QB to another well known bust, Heath Shuler. Leaf had to be restrained by two coaches and escorted off the field. This embarrassing incident was also caught on tape and played nationally. Soon after he was placed on injured reserve, which wiped out his sophomore season.

Leaf continued to make headlines in 1999 despite not being on the active roster. In November he got into a profanity laced shouting match with GM Bobby Beathard after refusing to complete a workout. For that little escapade, he was fined a weeks pay ($73,500) and suspended four weeks without pay (the maximum penalty available). During the suspension he was seen playing flag football.

After a relatively quiet off season that included thoughts of retirement and a visit to a shaman, Leaf returned to action in 2000. Basically out of desperation, the Chargers named him their opening day starter. He didn't keep the role for long. After posting a 33.4 QB rating (last in the NFL) in two games, both losses, Leaf was benched in favor of Moses Moreno.

Moreno however, was quickly injured and Leaf was thrust back into action. In a Week 4 contest against Seattle he injured his wrist throwing an interception. That injury would keep him out for eight weeks. While he deemed himself "unfit" to play football, the injury didn't stop Leaf from hitting the golf course.

Leaf returned to action in Week 11 and played his best game as a pro in a Week 12. In a 38-37 loss to Denver, he completed 13 of 27 passes for 311 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 interception. The following week, he guided the team to their only victory of the season, a 17-16 squeaker over Kansas City. Leaf threw 2 TD passes and 2 interceptions in the victory.

The underachieving signal caller started the Chargers final four games of the season, all losses, and took off to get married. On February 28, 2001, while he was on his honeymoon in Tahiti, the Chargers waived the disgruntled QB. He was picked up the next day by Tampa Bay, who paid the $100 waiver fee for his rights.

[POJO_Risin]

http://z.lee28.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/leaf-sd1.jpg

http://z.lee28.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/leaf-golf.jpg

Yes, that's Leaf "unfit" for play...lmfao...

[POJO_Risin]

Tampa Bay Bucaneers 2001, Dallas Cowboys 2001
Seattle Seahawks 2002, Retirement 2002- Present


Then Buccaneers head coach, Tony Dungy, one of the kindest, most understanding men in his profession, was the next to be tantalized by Leaf's physical talent. He convinced the man child that Tampa would be the perfect place to restart his career. They would be patient with the troubled QB, and let him watch and learn -- something that didn't happen in San Diego. Leaf also seemed committed to Tampa, buying a house in a gated community nearby.

The problem was that Leaf's wrist still hadn't healed and, even though the doctors had strongly advised it, he refused to have surgery. Despite the injury, he appeared in all four of Tampa's preseason games, completing just 7 of 19 passes for 81 yards with an interception. Unimpressed with his performance, Tampa asked Leaf to lower his base salary from $900,000 to $700,000. When he refused, he was released, just five days before the season began.

The Dallas Cowboys, who expressed interest Leaf earlier, were set to sign him just days later. His ailing wrist however, caused the journeyman QB to fail his physical. For some reason, Dallas Cowboys maverick owner, Jerry Jones, remained enamored with star-crossed QB, and after of month of rest, Leaf's wrist was in good enough shape for him to pass a physical and become a Cowboy.

Leaf appeared in four games, all losses, as a Cowboy and posted typical, lackluster numbers -- 45 of 88 for 494 yards, 1 TD, and 3 picks. He was released in May 2002, after Dallas signed Chad Hutchinson. The vagabond QB wasn't out of chances however, as the Seattle Seahawks signed him just days later.

Mike Holmgren's plan in Seattle mirrored Dungy's in Tampa, bring Leaf along slowly -- let him watch from the sidelines as a third stringer. Leaf showed up for the Seahawks spring minicamps and actually seemed upbeat, but on July 27, the eve of the start of training camp, he suddenly retired. The 26-year-old offered no real explanation for this decision, and didn't address his future plans.

By all accounts, Leaf's attitude and demeanor greatly improved after his departure from San Diego. Tony Dungy, Dave Campo, and Mike Holmgren all touted him as a team player, hard worker, and good guy. Ironically, in the end, it was Leaf's health and ability that betrayed him -- his wrist never healed properly, and his on-field decision making skills never developed.

Ryan Leaf, perhaps by design, has vanished from the public eye. His name pops up in the media everyone once and while, usually as a punch line for a bad joke or in a cautionary tale to a team thinking of using a high draft choice on a quarterback. Today we are left wondering what might have been, what is going now, and what else could possibly happen.

Where have you gone Ryan Leaf? What the hell are you up to now?

[POJO_Risin]

New Uniform

http://z.lee28.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/leaf-tampa3.jpg

[POJO_Risin]

New Uniform

http://z.lee28.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/leaf-dal3.jpg

[POJO_Risin]

New Uniform

http://z.lee28.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/leaf-sea1a.jpg