The Indianapolis Colts having just added to the Tennessee Titans' terrible season 11 days ago at LP Field, Colts tight end Jacob Tamme said of his quarterback, Peyton Manning: "He throws the most catchable ball in the world."
It's defenders catching Manning's passes of late that has the Colts on the brink of playoff elimination heading into today's visit from Jacksonville and formerly Perfect Peyton hearing serious criticism for the first time in his 13 professional seasons.
In the three games before the win in the Music City, Manning had thrown 11 interceptions, four of them returned for touchdowns. Indy (7-6) lost all three times and must beat the 8-5 Jaguars today or be eliminated from the playoffs for the first time since the 2001 season.
"It's fair game," Manning said of those hinting his best days are behind him. "It's all in how you handle it. I don't read the good. I don't read the bad. People are always saying, 'Hang in there,' but I've never been out there, wherever there is."
Where he has been for most of his pro career is either No. 1 or No. 1A in the minds of most experts rating the best quarterbacks of his generation. Some side with New England quarterback Tom Brady and his three Super Bowl rings to just one for Manning, but until Drew Brees won a Super Bowl for New Orleans last year, all arguments ended there.
But hamstrung by a retooled offensive line and the loss of such reliable targets as Dallas Clark, Austin Collie and running back Joseph Addai, Manning's comfort zone also has gone on injured reserve. That trio's replacements - including Tamme - have not always been in perfect sync with the formerly perfect one.
Or as Tamme noted in explaining at least a few of the interceptions, "Our routes aren't always perfect, either."
It happens to everybody eventually. Too many years on too many veterans. Too many injuries. Too many bad bounces.
The Colts have largely avoided all those ills until the playoffs over most of the last decade. But general manager Bill Polian's hasty decision to get rid of offensive guard Ryan Lilja after last year's Super Bowl loss - Lilja is having a Pro Bowl-type season with the Kansas City Chiefs - has left Manning vulnerable to blitzes and forced him to hurry throws.
The results have been devastating for both Manning and the Colts, who won their first 14 starts a year ago and almost won their second Super Bowl in four years.
"Obviously, it hasn't been the season we've grown accustomed to around here," said Colts center Jeff Saturday, who should someday follow Manning into the Hall of Fame.
"And you hear things on ESPN and the NFL Network sometimes. I try not to listen but sometimes you can't help it. But we still control our own destiny, and we still feel like we've got the best [quarterback] in the game."
A moment later, Saturday added, "When Peyton has a tough game, nobody ever talks about the 10 other guys out there who might also have played better."
Of course, Peyton isn't the only Manning struggling right now. Little brother Eli actually leads the NFL in interceptions with 19, four ahead of Peyton's 15. Much as Peyton has to win today against Jacksonville, Eli faces Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles with first place on the line in the NFC East.
But while Eli always has run hot and cold, Peyton had run off six straight seasons with a quarterback rating above 100, a stunning achievement.
"Obviously, there a few throws I'd like to have back this year," the elder Manning said. "But I've been on an eight-and-a-half-year hitting streak, too."
And that's what makes this sudden urge to consign Manning to the Fading Stars file so disturbing. What if the Colts win today and win their final two to reach the playoffs? What if a year from now the Indy offense and defense are both healthy enough that the Colts are no longer dead-last in rushing the ball and near the bottom in stopping the run?
What if they get back to the team that won seven games by four points or less a year ago instead of the one that's lost four of seven games decided by six points or less this season?
"We've been really good in the red zone," Manning said. "We just haven't been down there enough."
Maybe they'll get there enough to win today, and maybe they won't. The NFL has a way of eventually humbling all who play in it. Just ask Brett Favre.
But Tamme said he believes the Colts' formula for success will remain the same, regardless of this season's finish.
"Peyton's always focused on the future," he said. "It's like he said [a few weeks ago], 'I'm going to keep throwing,' and that's what we want him to do."
If your team was lucky enough to have Peyton, wouldn't you?