What If?

The New Orleans Saints continue to bask in the glow of winning their first ever Super Bowl. Quarterback Drew Brees has been criss-crossing the country doing just about everything but light the Olympic torch. One can only wonder though how the NFL landscape would be different today had it not been for the Colts decision to take Peyton Manning with the first pick in the 1998 draft.

Remember the Colts had their choice between Manning and Ryan Leaf. Football fans know Leaf. who went second overall to San Diego, may go down in history as the biggest draft bust of all time. With that being the case, I ask you what would have happened had the Colts taken Leaf. Lets go on this time-frame

Indy takes Leaf and are no where close to being the power they are today
San Diego takes Manning
With Manning, the Chargers don’t even think about selecting Drew Brees in the 2001 draft. They don’t need to take Eli Manning with the first pick of the 2004 draft, a pick they then swapped with the Giants who had taken Phillip Rivers.

It asks the questions.
1) Where would the Colts be today?
2) Where would the Chargers be today?
3) Who would have taken Drew Brees in the 2001 draft?
4) Who would have taken Eli Manning in the 2004 draft?
5) Who would have taken Philip Rivers in the 2004 draft?

It is safe to say the landscape of the NFL would not be the same as it is today. I’m thinking San Diego would have won a Super Bowl by now. I’m guessing the Colts are nowhere close to being the team they have been for the last 5-6 years. I’m thinking the Giants wouldn’t have won a Super Bowl and that perhaps Brees and Rivers don’t have the careers they have had.

See what happens on a weekend without football.