Although new head coach Frank Reich was not the first man picked for the job, he just may be the right one. At least, that is how Indianapolis Colts legend Peyton Manning felt nearly a decade ago.
Reich became a favorite of Manning's during his first stint as an NFL coach in Indianapolis. The future Hall of Famer was in the midst of one of his best seasons when he praised Reich for the job he did as quarterbacks coach, via Andrew Walker of Colts.com:
“Frank has got a lot of football knowledge,” Manning said in 2009. “I really think at this point in my career, being a veteran I like having somebody that has played longer than me, who has actually played the game and knows what is going on.
“He is a tireless worker. He is a grinder. He is a guy that is going to be over there late at night. He and I text each other all the time, ‘Hey check out the Buffalo game, play number 40. That is a look we might see.’ I like that. I like a guy that is constantly got football on his mind and thinking about helping me. I am grateful for that kind of effort. I lean on Frank. I ask him a lot of questions and he is very comforting to me.”
Manning is known for having one of the greatest football minds in NFL history. That said, it did not take long for him to see something special in Reich. Although Manning had already long established himself as the gold standard for quarterbacks, Reich helped him repeat as the NFL's MVP in 2009 after throwing for 4,500 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions.
Both men did not stay in Indianapolis for much longer after that. Manning would go on to seal his legacy with another championship while Reich would make his rounds throughout the league before helping the Philadelphia Eagles win Super Bowl LII. He now finds himself in position to help another generational talent in quarterback Andrew Luck potentially become one of the NFL's premier gunslingers.
Reich is now hoping his coaching pedigree will help the quarterback who ironically took Manning's spot as the Colts' franchise quarterback. It has been a rough stretch for Luck as of late. However, he now has all the tools needed for a possible resurgence in the 2018 NFL season, not to mention an added chip on his shoulder against New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Follow Us
Subscribe