i finally figured out what it is

i've said for a long time now that i just don't like Peyton Manning. he's extremely talented for sure. he's a model citizen. yeah yeah yeah. there was still something lurking just beyond my grasp to articulate what it is that i don't like about him. just now during halftime of the Panthers-Bears game, i finally put my finger on it.

they showed a clip of his postgame press conference. he had the sad "i still haven't made it to the Super Bowl" look plastered all over his face. and he said "i'm going to be a good teammate. i'm not going to name names. but we had some major protection issues during this game."

i thought Terry Bradshaw was going to fall out of his chair.

i paraphrase: he's going to be a good teammate & not name names?! you can't call your offensive line out like that & lay the blame on them. YOU are the leader of the team & you did not lead them today. take it on the chin & own up to the fact that you didn't get it done today. stop pointing the finger.

THAT'S IT. that's what i don't like. he whines & cries & pouts when he loses. and he oh-so-graciously does not "name names"...but he sure does cast the blame off on everyone else when it comes to losing. never mind that he didn't come out confidently. that he spent the large part of the game rattled. that when there was a breakdown on the offense, he didn't get his men regrouped & lead them like a QB is supposed to do. he likes to give that modest golden-boy smile & bask in the glory but he never takes the loss on his own shoulders. no matter how much talent he possesses or how much of a good guy he is off the field, i have no respect for the "it's not MY fault" attitude.