According to reports from those close to Manning, he’s looking to land with a team that’s basically on the doorstep of a championship and plays in either a dome or mild weather. He’s not ruling out the NFC but would prefer to not switch conferences. That team would also possibly need to make room for Reggie Wayne because the two ex-Colts would like to (not have to) go somewhere as a combo deal. What teams fit that description?
I had a bit of a write-up for Washington, but they just traded up to #2 for the right to draft RGIII. Cross Seattle off the list too. They apparently want him, but I can’t see Peyton playing in that weather for a team lacking severely at receiver.
With Peyton expected to make a decision in the next few days, the list of potential destinations is narrowing quickly as it appears to be down to a three team race – Denver, Miami, and Arizona.
Peyton spent Friday in Denver, but that just doesn’t seem like a fit to me. They’re not exactly a mild weather locale, and they’ve got that Timmy guy at QB. Don’t get me wrong, Peyton was probably a better passer than Timmy a week after his last procedure, but Timmy’s a $$$ cow. Might Peyton be flirting with Denver in order to drive up the bids from other teams?
I really think this comes down to Miami and Arizona. How about a little point-counterpoint?
Miami has Brandon Marshall.
Arizona has Larry Fitzgerald.
Point Arizona.
Miami is a mild climate city.
Arizona has the retractable roof.
Lean Arizona.
Miami has a rookie HC in Joe Philbin.
Arizona’s Ken Whisenhunt is entering his 6th year as HC.
Point Arizona.
I also think Arizona’s young defense is more attractive than Miami’s, as is their running game. Reggie Wayne would also slot in very nicely as a #2 across from Fitzgerald.
Those certainly aren’t all the factors, but I think they will be some of the keys that lead Peyton Manning to become the next QB of the Arizona Cardinals.
I was amazed he chose Arizona
ReplyDeleteSurprisingly (to me), Arizona hasn't even made the final cut.
Delete“Peyton Manning will be starting for a team other than the Colts for the first time in his decorated professional career, and he unsurprisingly has more than a few suitors.”
ReplyDeleteWouldn’t you ask to see him throw before you put your team in the category of suitors? I heard Adam Schefter say on some radio show last week he thought Manning would be signed in less than a week. Really? HASN’T ANYONE EMPLOYED BY THE DOLPHINS, CARDINALS or BRONCOS thought to work him out??!
“A while back, I touched on this topic and hypothesized the possibility of Manning ending up in New York with the Jets… Unfortunately, I just don’t see that happening.”
Especially true since the Jets just gave a Kobe Bryant “sorry I sodomized that girl in a Colorado hotel” gift in the form of an unwarranted and undeserved contract extension to Mark Sanchez (I am aware it was mostly symbolic, but still…). Even Michael Clayton thought it was a bad deal.
“He’s not ruling out the NFC but would prefer to not switch conferences. That team would also possibly need to make room for Reggie Wayne because the two ex-Colts would like to (not have to) go somewhere as a combo deal. What teams fit that description?”
I think he stays AFC. Manning knows he’s on the clock; he’s already going to have to accommodate himself to another offense, or more likely, have to wait for another offense to accommodate to him, so would he really want to begin learning NFC personnel essentially from scratch on top of that? I don’t think so.
“With Peyton expected to make a decision in the next few days, the list of potential destinations is narrowing quickly as it appears to be down to a three team race – Denver, Miami, and Arizona. “
I will stipulate those comprise the appropriate set of possibilities. To a point.
“Peyton spent Friday in Denver, but that just doesn’t seem like a fit to me. They’re not exactly a mild weather locale, and they’ve got that Timmy guy at QB. Don’t get me wrong, Peyton was probably a better passer than Timmy a week after his last procedure, but Timmy’s a $$$ cow. Might Peyton be flirting with Denver in order to drive up the bids from other teams? “
You mean Peyton Manning might actually care about money? The guy that wouldn’t restructure his contract the way other elite QBs have to make room for the Colts to fill personnel holes? The guy whose appetite for advertising dollars would make 1960’s highball swilling ad-weasel and Darren Stevens’ boss LARRY TATE blush? The guy who put a double digit sum of millions into his pockets in 2011 knowing full well he was damaged goods? Might he? Yes, he most certainly might.
Here’s how I look at it via snippets, with the potential deal-breaker in caps. I have the advantage of knowing that he can’t take Wayne/Garcon with him, which does shuffle things.
He has no intention of going to Denver. None. Too cold, Tebowista’s, average (ok, slightly better than average) O-line. TOO COLD.
Miami is warm, but no longer has Brandon Marshall. However, Manning would not have to concern himself with getting blindsided given what they have at left tackle. NO WEAPONS.
Arizona has a dome, a versatile running back, a great wide-out and a coach…and they play in a dome against below average divisional opponents. BUT THEY’RE IN THE NFC, and getting past GB, NY, DAL, PHI etc. to get back to the Super Bowl is going to be an upward climb. Oh yeah, MONEY.
“Those certainly aren’t all the factors, but I think they will be some of the keys that lead Peyton Manning to become the next QB of the Arizona Cardinals.”
And I say it will be the Houston Texans…and I can only hope at the press conference, Mr. Manning channels his inner General Zod and says ‘You will take me to this Hooston.’
I really disliked that damn Larry Tate.
TPE
“Wouldn’t you ask to see him throw before you put your team in the category of suitors? I heard Adam Schefter say on some radio show last week he thought Manning would be signed in less than a week. Really? HASN’T ANYONE EMPLOYED BY THE DOLPHINS, CARDINALS or BRONCOS thought to work him out??!”
DeleteI definitely would put him through a workout if I was going to be spending millions of dollars on a guy who missed a year with a serious neck issue. It didn’t look like he’d end up having to throw, but he’s done it for Denver and Tennessee and potentially will for San Fran as well.
“Especially true since the Jets just gave a Kobe Bryant “sorry I sodomized that girl in a Colorado hotel” gift in the form of an unwarranted and undeserved contract extension to Mark Sanchez (I am aware it was mostly symbolic, but still…). Even Michael Clayton thought it was a bad deal.”
Yeah that was a pretty pathetic move by the Jets. I didn’t quite understand the need/rush to throw more money at a guy you obviously want to replace. The Jets look to be going backwards and may already be looking at their window of championship contention in the rear view.
“I think he stays AFC. Manning knows he’s on the clock; he’s already going to have to accommodate himself to another offense, or more likely, have to wait for another offense to accommodate to him, so would he really want to begin learning NFC personnel essentially from scratch on top of that? I don’t think so.”
My pick, Arizona, is out of the hunt, and it appears to be down to Denver, Tennessee, and possibly San Francisco. Neither Denver nor Tennessee makes a ton of sense to me from a win quick perspective. Sure Denver made the playoffs last year, but aside from Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and an aging Willis McGahee, what offensive weapons does Manning have? Bud Adams is just a loon tycoon trying to bring Peyton “back home”. A health Manning is still one of the league’s elite passers, but with Jake Locker showing promise last season, do you really need to upgrade at QB, especially when you team is more than a few moves away from being a serious contender? San Francisco is intriguing, but if Peyton really wants to play in a controlled/mild climate environment, the 49ers are about the worst decision he could make.
Unless San Fran steps it up, you’re right. He’s likely to stay in the AFC.
“I will stipulate those comprise the appropriate set of possibilities. To a point.”
Just when we think we know, we don’t know. Strike Miami and Arizona, and add Tennessee and San Francisco.
“You mean Peyton Manning might actually care about money? The guy that wouldn’t restructure his contract the way other elite QBs have to make room for the Colts to fill personnel holes? The guy whose appetite for advertising dollars would make 1960’s highball swilling ad-weasel and Darren Stevens’ boss LARRY TATE blush? The guy who put a double digit sum of millions into his pockets in 2011 knowing full well he was damaged goods? Might he? Yes, he most certainly might.”
DeleteI love your wit TPE. Only you would find a way to work Bewitched reference into an NFL negotiation discussion.
“Here’s how I look at it via snippets, with the potential deal-breaker in caps. I have the advantage of knowing that he can’t take Wayne/Garcon with him, which does shuffle things.
He has no intention of going to Denver. None. Too cold, Tebowista’s, average (ok, slightly better than average) O-line. TOO COLD.”
Again, I don’t see how he can seriously consider Denver if he want to win now and play in a controlled climate.
“Miami is warm, but no longer has Brandon Marshall. However, Manning would not have to concern himself with getting blindsided given what they have at left tackle. NO WEAPONS.”
I think Miami scared him off with a media circus upon his arrival. I don’t know how much Peyton believed in Marshall, but without him, that stable of receivers is ugly.
“Arizona has a dome, a versatile running back, a great wide-out and a coach…and they play in a dome against below average divisional opponents. BUT THEY’RE IN THE NFC, and getting past GB, NY, DAL, PHI etc. to get back to the Super Bowl is going to be an upward climb. Oh yeah, MONEY.”
Oddly enough, they’ve been eliminated. If I had to guess, I would think it was the NFC thing that had him shying away.
“And I say it will be the Houston Texans…and I can only hope at the press conference, Mr. Manning channels his inner General Zod and says ‘You will take me to this Hooston.’
Nice evil supervillain reference. That would have been a great landing spot, and apparently, that’s where Peyton wanted to go. They’ve got a solid defense, an attacking offense, play in a dome, and are in the AFC. The Texans publicly committed to Schaub, so notwithstanding an unexpected 180, he’s not going to Houston.
“I really disliked that damn Larry Tate.”
Uncle Arthur freaked me out