If the phrase "Franchise Quarterback" was in the dictionary, then there would undoubtedly be an accompanying picture of Peyton Manning. Over the last decade plus, no other player in the league has meant more to his team than Manning. Since his rookie season in 1998, Peyton has thrown for at least 3700 yrds and 26 TDs in each season while making the playoffs in all but two years. And if the peripherals weren't enough for you, since the departure of Edgerrin James after the 2005 season and Marvin Harrison's retirement after the 2008 season, Manning has been without a reliable running game and an imposing receiver across from Reggie Wayne. All Peyton has done since losing these superstars is win two MVP awards and appear in two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XLI. At 35 years of age, Manning may be reaching the home stretch of his storied career though he shows no signs of slowing down. Ignoring age Manning would still the be the top franchise quarterback in the NFL for 2011 but taking it into account, Manning still sits in the second spot on our list. For the Indianapolis Colts, Peyton Manning is the franchise.
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