TSN's 2004 NFL awards.(Know It All)

Player of the Year

Peyton Manning COLTS

For Peyton Manning, it is all about hard work and preparation and focus. If you can master those things, everything else--the statistics, the victories, the accolades-comes along for the ride. Certainly, few quarter--backs have enjoyed a more rewarding regular season than the one Manning experienced this fall, climaxed by his record 49 touchdown passes.

"I have tried to get better every year, and I feel I should get better every year." he says. "I am a year older, I am in the same system, I am more comfortable, we have better timing. All those things should show in better results."

For his accomplishments this past season, including 4,557 passing yards, a completion percentage of 67.6 and a league-record rating of 121.1, Manning, 28, has been chosen SPORTING NEWS Player of the Year for the second straight season by a panel of league pro personnel executives. Manning received 21 of 23 votes, with one vote going to Terrell Owens of the Eagles and one abstention.

"I remember when I first got into the league, I thought how it would be nice to have a year when you were the best," he says. "That means your team is probably winning. To win it for the second time, I am very honored. I am very appreciative of the opportunity and of my teammates and coaches for putting me in this position. I know how hard it is to win games and to have some success, and I appreciate the chance I am getting."

It is difficult to completely comprehend the season produced by Manning: the numbers are that dazzling. But the consistency of his career also is impressive. He is the only player to throw for 4,000 yards in six consecutive seasons and the first to throw for 3,000 in his first seven. He also has started 112 straight regular-season games, having never missed a start since he became a Colt in 1998. And just think: He says he wants to play another 10 years or so.