Manning's Pledge Days Much Easier Than Leaf's

INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 16, 1998) -- All the Colts have done to Peyton Manning, so far, is make him sing Rocky Top.

Ryan Leaf had to face much stiffer rookie hazing from the San Diego Chargers.

In addition to smacking him once on the field, linebacker Junior Seau has twice hit Leaf where it really hurts -- in the hip pocket.

First, Seau went to a charity auction and bid $1,500 on a skybox at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium -- in Leaf's name.

"That would be $700 after the charitable write-off," Seau said with a smile, "and he needs the deductions."

Seau later took 25 of his teammates to a posh sushi restaurant, rang up a $2,800 tab and put it on Leaf's credit card, which had mysteriously found its way into his possession.

"He was mad," Seau said. "He got kind of riled up, but it's just one of those things you have to go through as a rookie."

According to one report, Leaf was so angry, he complained to management, which irritated Seau, leading to a practice confrontation two weeks ago.

Leaf and Manning can compare pledge books Saturday night, with the first installment of their debate in the RCA Dome.

It won't be official, but that doesn't mean it won't count for something.

Just the anecdote ...

The Manning-Leaf debate may be forgotten by the time the next NFL draft rolls around. The expansion Cleveland Browns will have the top pick and will have their choice of a handful of potential franchise quarterbacks. The top four entering their final season of college eligibility are Brock Huard of Washington, Cade McNown of UCLA, Daunte Culpepper of Central Florida and Donovan McNabb of Syracuse. If Kentucky junior Tim Couch decides to come out, he would rise to the head of the class.

ABC college football analyst Gary Danielson believes Huard, McNown and Couch are as good as, or better than, Manning and Leaf. He ranks Culpepper and McNabb behind them, but still considers them solid prospects. "There's no doubt in my mind there will be four quarterbacks taken in the first round in '99, and maybe five," said Danielson. "It's a lucky break for the Browns. They'll be able to get their franchise quarterback right off the bat."

• The Denver Broncos are delighted with their rookie quarterback, Brian Griese. "This guy is going to be one of the great quarterbacks in the league for years to come," said wide receiver Willie Green. "Three or four years from now, I think he'll be better than Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf. That's no disrespect to them, it just shows how good Brian is." Responded Griese, "That's Willie's opinion. I'll take it one day at a time."

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