Prior to the 1998 NFL Draft, four college players were considered surefire future NFL stars: Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning, Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf, Florida State defensive end Andre Wadsworth and Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson.
That draft class now serves as a reminder that there is no such thing as a sure thing in the NFL draft. Leaf hasn't played since 2001 and Wadsworth hasn't played since 2000, making them two of the all-time draft busts.
But Manning and Woodson are still playing at a very high level, high enough that today they received player of the week honors.
Manning completed 28 of 44 passes for 327 yards, with four touchdowns and two interceptions to lead the Indianapolis Colts to a 35-34 come-from-behind win over the New England Patriots. Manning has 20 career player of the week awards, the most of any NFL player since the award originated in 1984.
Woodson had an interception, two forced fumbles, a sack and a team-high nine tackles in the Packers' 17-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys. He played a role in all three Dallas turnovers and was the key player on a defense that held the Cowboys scoreless until a garbage-time touchdown at the end of the game.
There's no word on what Leaf and Wadsworth did on Sunday.
Manning, Woodson earn player of the week honors
Posted by Michael David Smith on November 18, 2009 1:20 PM ET
Woodson deserves it. He's been playing at a high level all year. Maybe he can now also take on the added duty of keeping track of the Pack's challenges since his dense head coach can't.
I thought Packers overpaid Woodson when they signed. He proved me wrong. That guy does everything and has gotten better with age.
Even in opposite league's and different sides of the balls Chuck Woodson doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same paragraph with Peyton Manning and that has always been the case, even when the media GAVE him an undeserved Heistman Trophy back in 97.
Peyton is great and all, but I don't think those numbers are worthy when Chris Johnson had 132 rushing, 100 recieving and 2 TD's... CJ was the better player this week...
Woodson is the Packer's best free agent signing since Reggie White.
Woodson deserves it.
Manning had two picks and does not deserve the award this week.
As a Colts fan, I even have to question Manning's win, however, he did lead his team back from a 17 point deficit in the fourth quarter. His stats weren't incredible, but the game he put together certainly were.
Oh well, here comes his record fourth MVP title. Suck it Favre.
Not to spread false rumors, but isn't Ryan Leaf serving jail time?
If not, he should be for stealing money from the Chargers.
75 percent of the earth is covered in water, the other 25 percent is covered by Charles Woodson. Best corner in the league. He should have serious consideration for Defensive Player of the Year
@5150cd :
(Speaking as a Pats fan) Manning deserved it. The dragged the entire Colts team back into contention - gotta give props to his performance.
Cheers.
daPack:
Nice try, but that line is attributed to :
ED REED!!!!
Way to try and hijack it though.
Woodson has been having a great year. He may not get the league MVP award but he does deserve honorable mention.
I thought it was Fred Smoot who used the 75% water - other 25% covered by Smoot....I must be wrong.
I think the award should go to the referee who blew the 4th and 2 call in the Pats/Colts game........cause if that play (albeit a bad idea) is called correctly, 1st down, Pats win......Brady gets player of the week.
For all the criticism regarding Thompson, he should at least get some credit for picking up Woodson. And like Tears_of_Favre said , he is by far the best free agent signing since Reggie White.
Leaf played two hand touch in his jail cell with his cell mate Jahmal Brown
I find it hard to believe that Smoot would be attributed with anything, he sucked, still sucks and it will suck well into the future.
Smoot did have his redeeming qualities, he sure knew how to drive the Love Boat and those out of state hookers (a felony crime in the state of Minnesota but not apparently applied to members of the Biqueens) were reportedly out of his own black book. No doubt, one of the better free agent signings for the Vikings.
Not true about Wadsworth....he tried to make a comeback last year or the year before with the Jets but he didn't make the final roster.
"Prior to the 1998 NFL Draft, four college players were considered surefire future NFL stars:...Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf..."
Ryan had a lot of hype attached to him, some even thought he might have a better career than Manning, but you would be hard pressed to find many crediable sources that called Leaf a surefire future NFL star. QBs are too hit and miss in the NFL draft. See Rex Grosman, Rick Mirer, Joey Harrington, Cade McNown and so on.
golongboyee says:
November 18, 2009 3:28 PM
I think the award should go to the referee who blew the 4th and 2 call in the Pats/Colts game........cause if that play (albeit a bad idea) is called correctly, 1st down, Pats win......Brady gets player of the week.
__________
And IF you had a cawk and balls, you would be a guy.
GFY, getslongcawkuphisbungholeboyee.
LMFAO!!!!
The play was called correctly. It wasn't a catch until his rear hit the ground at the 28/29.
75% of the earth is covered by water, the other 25% is covered by Fred Smoot's boat parties.
Charles Woodson is a solid player, at times great, with alot of heart. I miss his presence on the Raiders. He should never have been let go. Raiders should have moved him to a safety position and paid the man who played in the Super Bowl with a plate in his leg.
The year when the Vikes had Moss and Culpepper putting up huge numbers, the media in the Bay Area thought Woodson was over matched. The Raiders put him one-on-one with Moss and pretty much shut him down. Moss' worse game of that year.
Green Bay, Woodson is a good player. Be thankful that he still can ball and not be an over paid player and mailing it in.
The Raiders miss him.
Pats fans are the biggest baby fans in the NFL. Brandy and Co. thought 2 yards was no big deal but that one play will haunt them IF they play Manning and Co. in a playoff or title game AT Indy.
Too bad Pat fans. Your dynasty is at an end and that started when they became the WORST 18-1 TEAM IN LEAGUE HISTORY!!!
I still love that. Feel the sting! Ha ha ha!!!!!!!
RaiderChile says:
Green Bay, Woodson is a good player. Be thankful that he still can ball and not be an over paid player and mailing it in.
The Raiders miss him.
____________________________________
Look, it's a classy Raiders fan! I told you all they existed (despite all appearances)..
It's funny. I have a Woodson #21 jersey, and my Raider fan friend has a Woodson #24. He still wears it too. You're apparently not the only one who misses him.
You can also bet that I'm glad for him maintaining such a high level of play for his age. In at least two games so far this year, he WAS the Pack defense.
Definitely a good decision by Thompson to pick him up. One of only three good Thompson decisions so far...
This is stupid. The Patriots choked that game. I'm hearing the media day after day talking about this 4th and 2 crap and how the Patriots dominated the Colts in every way and lost the game on a 4th and 2. This is so retarded. I think Belichek was the only one who actually WATCHED the game, realized from the get go that Mannings numbers would have been better and the Colts offensive production would have been better if Addai, Collie and Garcon can catch passes 20 yards or more in Patriots territory. I mean the ball was bouncing off thier hands, it wasn't like they weren't open, wide open dropping the ball. It was just a matter of time given the opportunities and the law of averages that Wayne would eventually get open and ONE of those recievers would eventually make a play or two because they were getting open ALL NIGHT dropping passes. WATCH THE GAME TONIGHT PEOPLE. This is one of those games where you DONT look at the stats and say " man defense held them all night, why didn't Belichek punt" They could have scored from the 30 in 20 seconds if they wanted to with timeouts and 1:57 left, what the hell is another 40 yards going to do with that much time left?
Wikipedia: On May 21, 2009, Leaf was indicted on burglary and controlled substance charges in Texas. Leaf was reportedly undergoing drug rehab in British Columbia, Canada at the time of the indictment. Ryan posted a $45,000 bond Wednesday June 17, 2009 in Washington for drug and burglary charges out of Texas, after being arrested by customs agents as he returned to the United States from Canada.
He wasn't just stupid ON the field......
RaiderChile: Too bad Pat fans. Your dynasty is at an end and that started when they became the WORST 18-1 TEAM IN LEAGUE HISTORY!!!
Forgive me ....... what was the last season the raiders went 18-1, please? Or ANY other NFL team?
Yeah, thought so. Sit down, shut up.
Jay16, New England OWNED the Colts offense for three fricking quarters, a$$clown. The secondary played outstanding. You can say the receivers were dropping all those passes if it makes you feel better, but the rest of the world saw a young secondary that held the second=best QB in the league in check.
Or did you not notice that 17 point lead?
Yes, New England choked. Not the offense, but the defense that had played so damn well most of that game. Manning busted it loose, as he can do, and Mathis made all the difference in keeping the Pat's offense on its heels.
The fact that Laurence Maroney fumbled IN THE F-ING END ZONE sure as hell helped the Colts, wouldn't you say? That was the deal breaker right there, so don't be too cocky of your Colts.
Peyton Manning and co. know they got away with a squeaker. No, the Colts didn't dominate.
Peyton Manning's game vs the Pats* > Chris Johnson's game vs the Bills
(anyone who thinks otherwise doesn't know that both the bills and titans suck, good thing they don't vote for this stuff)
Richman,
It will break your heart again, but for the second time in 4 games vs. the Pats. The Colts were 17 or 18 down and 18 delivered.
You are right when the game was on the line the Colts young secondary held the 2nd best qb in the game in check.