Former University of Tennessee quarterback and Hall of Fame signal-caller, Peyton Manning, is a fan of the Tennessee Titans’ hiring of new general manager, Ran Carthon.
Manning knows Carthon fairly well, as the two were teammates with the Indianapolis Colts back in 2005-06. In fact, Manning handed the ball off to Carthon for both of his career touchdowns.
While down at the Pro Bowl this past week, Manning recalled his time with Carthon in Indy and expressed his happiness for his former teammate.
“I am very happy for Ran,” Manning said, per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online. “I saw him in San Francisco recently — I went to the 49ers-Seahawks playoff game and he was going through the interview process (in Tennessee). I wished him luck during those interviews, and then he got the job.
“I remember Ran as a player — a smart player, tough player, accountable. You could tell he grew up in a football family. It didn’t take him long to figure out our system. We put him on there a lot during critical situations because he knew what to do. As a quarterback, you always want running backs in there that know what to do.”
Manning went on to praise Carthon as a “sharp guy” and lauded the Titans’ decision to hire him. He also believes Carthon and head coach Mike Vrabel will work together just fine.
“[Carthon is] a sharp guy,” Manning said. “I think he’s a great hire by the Titans, and I think he’ll do a heck of a job.”
“They both want to win — that’s all Mike cares about, is winning,” Manning added. “And Ran, he speaks the same language. I think the two of them can work well together.
“It’s obviously important for head coaches and GMs to be in sync. You don’t have to agree on everything, but you better be communicating and talking things out. I think he’ll do that. I think it could be a really good combination.”
