The Year in Review
- Posted 8 months ago|
- 9 comments
Hey everybody. I realize it's been awhile since I've sat down and written something, but with some more free time these days, I've got no excuse. I have been keeping the pictures and videos going strong, though, you have to give me that. But that's the easy part. I knew writing here meant reflecting on the last few months, so let's do it...
2008 in Review...
I haven't written since the end of the season, so lets start there. 2008 was personally a different type of season for me. It's the first time I've had to miss training camp in its entirety. I had to deal with a kind of surgery right there before training and that was really new to me. And in going through that, I really gained a great appreciation for players that have had to rehab their injuries and get back out there on the field.
I've been really fortunate in my career up until that point, to not have had any surgeries or any major injuries that caused me to miss any time. So, to be able to go through that and then get back there on the field and be able to play at a pretty high level from that point on was very personally gratifying for me. It really told me something about myself.
The Team...
As a team, I think the 2008 season was somewhat similar to what happened to me personally. We had some challenges, adversities and some injuries to other players. At the beginning of the season we kind of found ourselves in a hole. Starting out 0-1, 1-2, 3-4 ah, we really found ourselves sort of at a gut check time asking "Where is this season going to go?"
We easily could have sort of folded and given in and said, "Hey, this just isn't our year" and folded and missed the playoffs. Or we could have start to dig a little deeper, work a little harder and try and get ourselves out of this hole... and that's exactly what we did. It was the character of our players, certainly great leadership in Coach Dungy and we really just got hot at the right time. We won nine in a row and I think it's probably one of the most rewarding regular seasons that a lot of our players and coaches have had.
The Playoffs...
Of course, it certainly did not end with us getting to where we wanted to go. Every year, there's really only one team happy, the team that wins the Super Bowl. I don't think that Arizona was any happier than the Colts. Philadelphia wasn't any happier than the Giants or anybody else that didn't make it that far.
A playoff loss is disappointing, but I think it's something we can build on. I think it tells us that if we get caught in those situations again, we know we can work ourselves out of them and like I said, it's something we can build off next season.
So here we are now. The offseason is here and you can't dwell on the past. Well, not for long. I mean they give us February off and the first half of March. I've played lots of golf, by the way. Then we start working out coming up next week, actually on March 16th. But they do encourage us during this time to try and get away mentally. Obviously physically, they still want you doing some things, but mentally get away and sort of put last season behind. You know, come back on March 16 recharged and ready to go to work on the next season. So I'm ready to get back there and focus on next season.
It's Coming...
I know I've got a birthday coming up at some point. Don't ask what I've got planned because I really have no clue... it could be a surprise. I do know that I'll be 33 coming up this year and that's pretty hard to believe. So one week to go before the super long extended preseason workouts begin... and I'll be back on here to keep you updated.
2008 in Review...
I haven't written since the end of the season, so lets start there. 2008 was personally a different type of season for me. It's the first time I've had to miss training camp in its entirety. I had to deal with a kind of surgery right there before training and that was really new to me. And in going through that, I really gained a great appreciation for players that have had to rehab their injuries and get back out there on the field.
I've been really fortunate in my career up until that point, to not have had any surgeries or any major injuries that caused me to miss any time. So, to be able to go through that and then get back there on the field and be able to play at a pretty high level from that point on was very personally gratifying for me. It really told me something about myself.
The Team...
As a team, I think the 2008 season was somewhat similar to what happened to me personally. We had some challenges, adversities and some injuries to other players. At the beginning of the season we kind of found ourselves in a hole. Starting out 0-1, 1-2, 3-4 ah, we really found ourselves sort of at a gut check time asking "Where is this season going to go?"
We easily could have sort of folded and given in and said, "Hey, this just isn't our year" and folded and missed the playoffs. Or we could have start to dig a little deeper, work a little harder and try and get ourselves out of this hole... and that's exactly what we did. It was the character of our players, certainly great leadership in Coach Dungy and we really just got hot at the right time. We won nine in a row and I think it's probably one of the most rewarding regular seasons that a lot of our players and coaches have had.
The Playoffs...
Of course, it certainly did not end with us getting to where we wanted to go. Every year, there's really only one team happy, the team that wins the Super Bowl. I don't think that Arizona was any happier than the Colts. Philadelphia wasn't any happier than the Giants or anybody else that didn't make it that far.
A playoff loss is disappointing, but I think it's something we can build on. I think it tells us that if we get caught in those situations again, we know we can work ourselves out of them and like I said, it's something we can build off next season.
So here we are now. The offseason is here and you can't dwell on the past. Well, not for long. I mean they give us February off and the first half of March. I've played lots of golf, by the way. Then we start working out coming up next week, actually on March 16th. But they do encourage us during this time to try and get away mentally. Obviously physically, they still want you doing some things, but mentally get away and sort of put last season behind. You know, come back on March 16 recharged and ready to go to work on the next season. So I'm ready to get back there and focus on next season.
It's Coming...
I know I've got a birthday coming up at some point. Don't ask what I've got planned because I really have no clue... it could be a surprise. I do know that I'll be 33 coming up this year and that's pretty hard to believe. So one week to go before the super long extended preseason workouts begin... and I'll be back on here to keep you updated.
Published to:
To win the MVP after missing spring training with an injury certainly is a testament to your character and your ability. Good to hear from you again Peyton!
Great to hear from you Peyton! And i agree with Candice. Being MVP after a surgery and missing preseason was really something. You deserved it Enjoy the rest of the offseason!
Hi Peyton! Wonderful to hear news from you and enjoy what is left of your time off. Last season was quite an accomplishment and the one upcoming will definitely have its challenges, but I know you and the guys are up to it. Hope Ashley is okay, too!
Cant wait for the new season.I have a son that plays little league football and i was told by the head coach, no more COLTS gear.My reply was, if u want my son to play u have to be willing to see the COLTS LOGO flashing around.Just thought that was funny.
PEYTONNNNNNNNN!!!! Hi there!! It is good to hear from you!! You should be proud of yourself with overcoming the injury you had. We are going to try and see you in AZ when the Colts play the Cardinals! We would love to get your autograph!!! God Bless
Yesterday i got hit in the head by a football after 4th period gym, and my math teacher, Edgar kept bothering me that he would take me to the nurse and i yelled at him that i would not go and told him that i felt like i was going to die. And he Lectured.
Hey Peyton: great hearing from you & all the cool things you do in your free time And golf, how cool! Listen, I know this season may not have been with you envisioned but hey, you guys did great! And you totally deserved the MVP award! God bless
Congratulations on the well deserved MVP. I hope you have an enjoyable (and healthy!) offseason, and a wonderful birthday next Tuesday. My middle daughter was born on March 24th, a fact she uses to wheedle a new #18 jersey out of me every year! God bless.
OMG!!! PEYTON I <3 U!!!!