Eric Thomas: Peyton's Places
Peyton Manning is probably the biggest fish to swim in the free agent pond in a really long time. NFL Team owners are gathering greasy clumpfulls of hair and staring into mirrors. They are making sure no arugula remains in between their teeth and practicing "Hello, Mr. Manning" with their reflection. Everything has to be right. Owner's hearts flutter at the thought of 18 jerseys flying off the shelves from sea to shining sea. Their knees get weak at the thought of sold out home slates and offering parking lot vision to suckers that gladly slap money on the barrel just to be close. 12 teams have contacted Manning's agent.
The truth is there will be a wake of white capped water behind the Hall of Fame QB. Teams are publicly showing leg for 18's services and only one will get him. This search is going to have long standing ramifications that will reverberate into the season. Every pregame show will note what teams were "In the Peyton Manning sweepstakes" and now are starting some chump they didn't want.
We are assuming that Perfect Peyton wants to go to one of the bubble teams a QB away from Lombardi but there is no way of knowing which mast the rope will tighten around. Nnamdi Asomugha was guaranteed to go to the Jets last year before he wound up at the Link. There could be a dark horse candidate out there.
Let's start with the ridiculous notion that Marshall Faulk belched into an open microphone. He claims that Peyton will not go to an NFC team to deny his brother a shot at the Superbowl. Please. That is ridiculous. I have a little brother and I am going to try and beat him at whatever I do even if it's competitive cookie baking. The Manning's are supportive but of course they are competitive. To the teams:
San Francisco: This would be epic. The 9ers are in the process of resigning Alex Smith but grabbing 18 would virtually guarantee Superbowls in the next two years. The idea of Peyton Manning handing off to Frank Gore and throwing to Vernon Davis is a fantasy owners dream (fantasy players also dream of an actual date before the close of the decade but I digress). Teams would be hopeless to stop them. Add that to having arguably the best defense in the league and you have something here. The last two drives were on Alex Smith in the NFC Championship game and he laid an egg. Peyton has monster success here.
Baltimore: No way. Tough division with a suspect O line. Plus Joe Flacco doesn't stink. The loss in the AFC Championship game had nothing to do with the QB. In fact, I am not sure that even 18 could throw a better pass to Lee Evans for the win. Manning would not be a guaranteed upgrade here.
Arizona: Q: "Do you think it's worth investing so much in Kevin Kolb?" A: "No. In fact, you may have ruined your franchise for the time being. At least the weather is nice. Manning to Fitzgerald would be great to watch. Too bad it's not going to happen."
Miami: 18 went out of his way yesterday to mention that Dan Marino was his favorite non-Manning quarterback. Interesting to note. Would this mean he would want to actually play with Brandon Marshall and get protected by one of the best O lines in the game? Maybe. The Fish make a lot of sense and you get Tom Brady twice a year. The smart money is on South Beach.
Broncos: They showed interest. I am actually starting to feel sorry for Tebow. Guy takes a horribly underachieving team to the playoffs and wins you a playoff game, what do you give him in return? Elway raises his hand on the Peyton Manning roll call. Obviously Manning would be great here with nice receiving corps and awesome defense. But I don't see Manning playing outside in the cold when he is coming off two neck surgeries.
Chiefs: Not happening. Only if Manning is an idiot. Romeo Crennel just took over and KC is searching for answers. The only positive is you are following in the footsteps of Joe Montana. See above about the cold weather.
Jets: Again, not happening. I don't buy the theory that Peyton is recalcitrant about going to NFC for Eli but I would believe it for New York. Rex Ryan has finally ran his mouth so much the players are following suit. There are fissures in that locker room that rival the San Andreas fault.
DARK HORSE!!! … Dallas: A listener brought this one up. Jerry Jones claims that he loves Tony Romo but he would sell pretty boy down the driver in a heartbeat to wrap his meaty hands around a Manning. Romo stinks and everyone outside of Texas knows that. Romo is inconsistent at best. The only thing the does consistently is blow the game when it matters. Manning would be surrounded with weapons and a tough defense. If Dallas got Manning they would be poised for the Superbowl.
