Daily Madden: Elway Wins The Manning Chase
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- Free agent quarterback Peyton Manning was set to be introduced as the Denver Broncos' newest acquisition at an afternoon press conference Tuesday, in a reported 5-year, $96 million deal. John Madden told the KCBS morning crew Tuesday a key reason Manning chose Denver over San Francisco and Tennessee is Broncos executive John Elway, the former Denver and Stanford star quarterback.
"John Elway understands how an aging quarterback can still play late in his career and still win," Madden said. "John Elway's last game that he played in the NFL was winning the Super Bowl. And I think Peyton sees that, talks to a guy that does that, understands that, and maybe has some thoughts that that's the way that he can go also. He did tell someone that his head said San Francisco and his heart said Denver."
Madden said the 49ers shouldn't be faulted for pursuing Peyton Manning to replace Alex Smith. "Their responsibility is if you have a chance to go out and get someone who is better, or you think is better, or could be better for your team, you have to do it," John said. "You can't blame them. It's not (as if) they weren't fair to Alex. If they had a chance in their mind to better their team, they had to do it."
Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM.
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