The Manning Connection

Peyton Manning is forever linked to the Pats during the Belichick era. He is the best QB they have faced. Peyton has been winning the battles in recent years.

The NFL has many fascinating stories of the players and coaches relationships. Any coaching staff becomes a series of people connected to one another throughout their career.

Peyton and his brother Eli are the sons of former Saint QB Archie Manning. He was part of the illustrious QB draft class of 1971 with Heisman winner Jim Plunkett being drafted #1 overall by the Pats. Archie Manning went #2 followed by Dan Pastorini at #3.

The draft would yield NFL Hall of Famers John Riggins, Jack Youngblood, Dan Dierdorf and Jack Ham. Joe Theisman lasted until the 4th round because he was threatening to go to Canada to play in the CFL. He played there for five seasons.

The Pats would draft DE Julius Adams in the 2nd round. In the 4th round they would trade their pick at which DE Lyle Alzado was drafted.

Archie Manning was a good soldier for the Saints, but played on terrible teams. He has the distinction of holding the NFL record for the worst winning percentage for a QB with over 100 starts at 35-101-3 26.3%. He had 23, 911 career yards on 2,011 attempts for 3,642 yards, 125 TD's and 173 interceptions.

In 1981, he was traded to the Houston Oilers for LT Leon Gray. Manning would play again in 1982 and part of 1983 before being traded to the Minnesota Vikings where he spent time before retiring in 1984.

The Pats traded Leon Gray to the Oilers prior to the 1979 season. The Pats claimed Gray on waivers in 1973 after the Miami Dolphins released their 3rd round pick during camp. He would team up with Hall of Fame LG John Hannah to lead a formidable running attack.

In 1978, the Pats set a team rushing record of 3,165 yards. The line was lead by Gray, Hannah, Bill Lenkaitis, Sam Adams and Shelby Jordan. TE's Russ Francis and Don Hasselbeck (father of Matt and Chris) were tremendous blockers.

Gray and Hannah are considered to be the best left side of the line in team history. The running back stable of five is similar to this past season only those guys ran better than now. They included Sam Cunningham with 768 yards, Horace Ivory 653, Andy Johnson 675 , QB Stve Grogan 539 on 81 carries and Don Calhoun 391.

Hannah and Gray held out for a new contract prior to the 1977 season. Although it was eventually resolved, Gray was not one of the Sullivan family favorites. After being traded to the Oilers in 1979, he was a starter until the Manning trade in 1981.

This observer notes that he remembers the controversy in 1971 of whether to draft Plunkett, Manning, Pastorini or Theissman. The draft was unpredictable back then!