9 Oct, 2009
Passing It On!
Former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy gives a glimpse of Peyton Manning's singular drive — in this case, those three-hour drives that distinguish the three-time league MVP.
The Football Night in America analyst revealed the regular three-hour commute Manning made from Indianapolis to Columbus, Ohio through May and June 2007 to get then-rookie receiver Anthony Gonzalez oriented to the Colts offense.
Manning's commitment to integrating Gonzalez, then an Ohio State student restricted by NCAA rules from joining the Colts for spring workouts, is reflected anew in his mentoring of rookie receiver Austin Collie, running back Donald Brown and second-year wideout Pierre Garcon.
Many expected the 4-0 Colts to take a step back without Dungy and veteran receiver Marvin Harrison and with Gonzalez sidelined by a sprained knee since Week 1.
"Peyton has tons of ability, but really his preparation is why Peyton's great," Dungy said. "I remember Anthony Gonzalez's rookie year, he couldn't come over to practice with us until June.
"Peyton drove over twice a week to Columbus to throw with Anthony. That's the type of preparation people can't really appreciate, the extra time he spends bringing those young guys along as quick as he has."
When the Colts won Super Bowl XLI, Manning broke down every regular-season and playoff game of the Chicago Bears' defense and had backup Jim Sorgi analyze their four preseason games.
"He digested 22 games in two weeks to get ready for one game," Dungy said of the Super Bowl MVP.
Manning's coaching of Collie resulted in a diving, 21-yard touchdown off an audible in Sunday's 34-17 rout of Seattle.
"(Colts coach) Jim Caldwell told me Peyton would go out and work on one or two concepts with his young receivers every day," SIRIUS NFL Radio analyst Rich Gannon said. "He'd talk to Garcon, Collie and Brown about all the different adjustments that come off of that route based on coverage, down and distance, corner technique.
"He makes everyone around him better."
Manning, 33, leads the league with a 114.5 passer rating, 1,336 yards, has nine touchdowns and has thrown for 300 or more yards in his first four games for the first time.
"Throw in the lack of a consistent running game, Peyton's been absolutely magnificent," ESPNMonday Night Football analyst Ron Jaworski said.
Said Dungy: "I appreciate what he's doing even more now because in 2004 he threw 49 touchdowns with Marvin, Reggie Wayne, Brandon Stokely, Dallas Clark, familiar weapons," Dungy said.
"He's hotter and doing it with Collie, Pierre Garcon and Donald Brown. He makes it look ho hum.
"But he's never satisfied."
2 Timothy 1:3-7 (ESV)
3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
What does God's Story teach us about passing our faith to the next generation?
I have always loved that scene from God's Story! Here's Paul ... taking Timothy under his wing in ministry, encouraging him because his mother and grandmother have passed their faith along to him. Paul had at one point, laid his own hands on Timothy in prayer. Mature believers were pouring into the life of this young believer.
When was the last time you did something to pour into the life of a younger follower of Christ? If you are among the vast number of high school students striving to make a difference on your campus while you are there, consider spending some time throughout the rest of this year, pouring into a younger student who will continue to make a difference after you move on to the next level.
Whatever season of life you find yourself in, look around for someone you can begin to encourage in their journey with Jesus.
- Who has been responsible for encouraging you, praying for you, teaching you about your journey with Jesus? Get in touch with them and say thank you for all they have done for you.
- Spend some time this weekend praying for those same people who have been a great Christian influence in your life.
- Remember - God has given you a spirit of power and love and self-control. Thank Him for that Spirit and ask him give you opportuniites to exercise that gift.
- To those of you who are nearing the end of your high school years - look around your campus for some younger students to whom you can pass on the passion for reaching your campus for Jesus.
- To those of you who are nearing the end of middle school - look around your campus for some younger students who will still be there after you move on to high school. Send them a message this weekend to encourage them in their faith.
- To those of you in different seasons of life - Who can you take "under your wing"? Is there someone in your family with whom you need to spur on in their faith? Someone in your neighborhood? Workplace? Community? Church? Find a way to help them grow closer to Jesus this week.
- May 2012 [14]
- April 2012 [19]
- March 2012 [21]
- February 2012 [19]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [20]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
