Where should Peyton Manning go?

[Bob Hunter]

So it happened. Manning got released from the Colts. He has a medical clearance and the desire to play. But where?

Many parallels here to the Montana years in K.C. Joe was a franchise player who went to K.C. and lifted a team. But almost no one could look at Montana in a Chiefs uniform and not think of the 49 ners. I think the same will be true of Peyton Manning. Of course, Manning complicated matters when he said, "I will always be a Colt."

Now what? Who takes Manning? How much will they pay? Will it last more than a year, two?

[David Morris]

He should retire...never to throw a football again (except with his twins).

[Bob Hunter]

I actually agree David, but he wants to play again, so he will play. I fear his neck injury will flare up again and take him out of the game permanently. He is apparently willing to accept that risk.

The question is not if he will play, but where?

[Ryan Scott]

The fact that Denver is involved is interesting. They've got a strong defense, solid young receivers and an easily winnable division. I'm not sure even the Tebow junkies would object to Peyton Manning under center.

KC is another team with young talent and solid D, again in an easier division.

Miami makes some sense, since he lives there in the off-season, but being in the same division as Brady seems like a poor choice for a guy who wants to win another Superbowl.

AFC West is the way to go if he wants to win now. That being said, I'm not sure either KC or Denver are all that likely to get him.

[Bob Hunter]

The fact that Denver is involved is interesting. They've got a strong defense, solid young receivers and an easily winnable division. I'm not sure even the Tebow junkies would object to Peyton Manning under center.

KC is another team with young talent and solid D, again in an easier division.

Miami makes some sense, since he lives there in the off-season, but being in the same division as Brady seems like a poor choice for a guy who wants to win another Superbowl.

AFC West is the way to go if he wants to win now. That being said, I'm not sure either KC or Denver are all that likely to get him.

I am beginning to think Arizona would likely be a good fit with Larry Fitzgerald. But Peyton knows he only has a couple of years to pull this off and Arizona would have to show that they can compete right away.

At the end of the day, Peyton will make a choice based on preference, relationships, and not money.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

At the end of the day, Peyton will make a choice based on preference, relationships, and not money.

...and perhaps playing conditions.

I predict:
1. Arizona
2. Miami
3. Washington

[Jim Franklin]

Seattle Seahawks

[Bob Hunter]

...and perhaps playing conditions.

I predict:
1. Arizona
2. Miami
3. Washington

I'm sorta hoping you are right, because I just moved to Phoenix and I would love to take my son to a Cardinal game and see a future hall of famer play.

[Bob Hunter]

Seattle Seahawks

Not going to happen Jim. Not enough pieces in place to really make a system work for Manning. Pete Carroll is more of a defensive coach. I don't see it as a good fit.

[Benjamin Burch]

Seattle Seahawks

Unlikely, due to weather conditions. Peyton Manning grew up in the NFL playing in a dome. As such, he is a dome QB.

His splits in bad weather are really not very attractive, particularly in the playoffs. Peyton will want to play where he can throw the ball easily.

[Bob Hunter]

Unlikely, due to weather conditions. Peyton Manning grew up in the NFL playing in a dome. As such, he is a dome QB.

His splits in bad weather are really not very attractive, particularly in the playoffs. Peyton will want to play where he can throw the ball easily.

Which is why Arizona and Miami and perhaps Houston will be prime targets.

[Ryan Scott]

Which is why Arizona and Miami and perhaps Houston will be prime targets.

Houston is in division. I doubt that happens.

[Marcus Kibbe]

San Francisco. With a young core nucleus of offensive threats, a stellar defense, a great coach (and former Colt), if he's healthy, he could plausibly (I'll say likely) win a few (more than 1) Super Bowls before he retires. He should head for the bay.

[Mike Schutz]

Me thinks:

1. Arizona
2. Kansas City
3. Denver
4. Miami
5. San Francisco

Brian Billick had an interesting perspective. He doesn't think Miami, as the new coach - from Green Bay - would want to put his offensive system aside for a few years, as a first time head coach. Of course, as a first time head coach, the decision will more likely be that of ownership.

[Ryan Scott]

Brian Billick had an interesting perspective. He doesn't think Miami, as the new coach - from Green Bay - would want to put his offensive system aside for a few years, as a first time head coach. Of course, as a first time head coach, the decision will more likely be that of ownership.

Is what Green Bay's been running all that different from what would utilize Manning's strengths? GB throws all over the place; it's perfect for Manning. Although the coach does want Matt Flynn.

[Benjamin Burch]

Is what Green Bay's been running all that different from what would utilize Manning's strengths? GB throws all over the place; it's perfect for Manning. Although the coach does want Matt Flynn.

It appears the same, though the vocabulary is very different and the philosophy is slightly different. The WC also traditionally utilizes a mobile QB (Favre, Rodgers, Montana, Young). Peyton is anything but.

[Scott Moseley]

Teams also have to figure that with Peyton you get more than a QB. You get a guy who wants to be the Offensive general.. totally! I think Elway would have a problem with that in Denver. But Elway would like a good reason to move Tebow out and PM might be the a way to do that. Or he could go to NYG, as Eli needs a quality backup.

[Scott Moseley]

Houston is in division. I doubt that happens.

what do you mean ?

[Ryan Scott]

what do you mean ?

Houston is in the same division as the Colts. They play twice a year and compete for the same playoff spot. Peyton might be looking for some measure of revenge, but I don't think he wants to be enemy #1 for everyone in Indy. Jumping to a division rival doesn't make much sense for him, no matter how good the football team is.

[Bob Hunter]

Teams also have to figure that with Peyton you get more than a QB. You get a guy who wants to be the Offensive general.. totally! I think Elway would have a problem with that in Denver. But Elway would like a good reason to move Tebow out and PM might be the a way to do that. Or he could go to NYG, as Eli needs a quality backup.

yes, Elway would love to escape from the Tebow dilemma he inherited, but there is no chance of that. Tebow won the heart of these fans and will probably be the starter for at least another year unless his performance tanks and he gets traded. You can pretty much count Denver out.

[Ryan Scott]

yes, Elway would love to escape from the Tebow dilemma he inherited, but there is no chance of that. Tebow won the heart of these fans and will probably be the starter for at least another year unless his performance tanks and he gets traded. You can pretty much count Denver out.

The Denver fans like Tebow a lot, but they do still know football. They'd be ok with Peyton in town. They do like to win.

[David Morris]

Much of Peyton's success is because the Colts built a winning team around Peyton. A team that wants #18 as their QB, and wants to win with #18 as their QB, must be willing to move players around. I really do think Denver would be the best shot...but I also think weather is going to play an important part in this.

[Bob Hunter]

The Denver fans like Tebow a lot, but they do still know football. They'd be ok with Peyton in town. They do like to win.

No, I don't think so. Peyton does not want to be anything other than a Colt. And if I know Bronco fans like I think I do, they value loyalty. You have to be a Bronco through and through to lead this team.

[Scott Moseley]

Houston is in the same division as the Colts. They play twice a year and compete for the same playoff spot. Peyton might be looking for some measure of revenge, but I don't think he wants to be enemy #1 for everyone in Indy. Jumping to a division rival doesn't make much sense for him, no matter how good the football team is.

Ok I get you... I first read your post, as Houston was not unified internally. LOL yes I dont think he would want to do a Brett Farvre to lord it over his franchise team. I the long run, I think Brett Farve shot himself in the foot by playing for the Vikes and beating the Pack. Peyton wouldn't want to compete in the same division as his bro or against the Colts. So that cuts out about a third of the teams. IMO ball in Miami's court.

[Bob Hunter]

Much of Peyton's success is because the Colts built a winning team around Peyton. A team that wants #18 as their QB, and wants to win with #18 as their QB, must be willing to move players around. I really do think Denver would be the best shot...but I also think weather is going to play an important part in this.

Totally agree. I now live in Phoenix, which is a sports mecca for training and athletics. The dry mild winters make conditions ideal for training. I actually moved here in part for health reasons and I can honestly say my body feels much younger and I have more energy. Not only that, Phoenix has some of the best sports training facilities around and the quality of life here is high.

[Bob Hunter]

Anyone have any last minute guesses where Peyton goes? So far it appears Denver and Arizona have emerged as the top two. Perhaps the Titans are in the mix, we'll see. The waiting game continues. He definitely doing this on his own terms.

[Marsha Gupton]

Bud Adams and Titans Executives flew to NC this afternoon and flew back with Peyton. Peyton emerged wearing a Univesity of Tennessee shirt (his alma mater). According to the local news they called the team doctor in. Talks just ended. Bud Adams is flying back to NC with Peyton. The rumor here today is that Bud is offering him a position in the front office when he can no longer play. I don't know what his decision will be but people in Nashville and Tennessee would LOVE for Peyton to be our QB.

[Dennis M. Scott]

Peyton should go to Sunday School. Everybody ought to go to Sunday School.

[Marian Schwaller Carney]

Peyton should go to Sunday School. Everybody ought to go to Sunday School.

Best comment I've seen on NazNet all week !!

[Marcus Kibbe]

"Now San Francisco is the sleeper team few were expecting." - http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/76...ek-sources-say

Not I - I called SF from day 1. He would be an idiot not to go to San Francisco.

[Bob Hunter]

Not I - I called SF from day 1. He would be an idiot not to go to San Francisco.

I don't think he wants to play in the NFC, he is far more comfortable with the Denver situation which would pretty much give Tebow a one way ticket out of town. He could likely end up in Jacksonville (his hometown) if that happens. I kinda hope it does happen because Elway does not want his franchise Tebowed. He would like to see an offense built around a true pocket passer. Other than fan support, there is no reason for Tebow to stay.

[Marsha Gupton]

Titans are going to watch him practice tomorrow (Sat) but not saying where.

[Marsha Gupton]

They watched him in Knoxville today. Now we wait some more.

[Marcus Kibbe]

I don't think he wants to play in the NFC.

I think he could care less what conference or divisions he plays in. It's all about which team provides him the best opportunity to win a Super Bowl and that's, no doubt, SF. He would have Gore, Davis, and Crabtree (real talent at skill positions), plus newly acquired Moss and Manningham, and a great Defense. He wouldn't stand a chance making it to the Super Bowl in the AFC if he goes to Denver or Tennessee. He's currently creating a hot market for himself by getting other teams interested. It's a no brainer, he's going to SF. The game was over for Denver and Tennessee before even started.

[Bob Hunter]

I think he could care less what conference or divisions he plays in. It's all about which team provides him the best opportunity to win a Super Bowl and that's, no doubt, SF. He would have Gore, Davis, and Crabtree (real talent at skill positions), plus newly acquired Moss and Manningham, and a great Defense. He wouldn't stand a chance making it to the Super Bowl in the AFC if he goes to Denver or Tennessee. He's currently creating a hot market for himself by getting other teams interested. It's a no brainer, he's going to SF. The game was over for Denver and Tennessee before even started.

Marcus,
I might have to agree with you on this. I really thought he had a shot of ending up in Arizona because of the weather and the fact that Phoenix is a sports mecca for trainers and athletes. I do believe Harbaugh will win a Super Bowl, and Manning may be the guy to lead them there. If nothing else, they will have Alex Smith back and this is going to be tough, because Smith is visiting Miami and exploring his options. If Manning goes elsewhere and Smith stays, it will at least be somewhat awkward. The same will happen with Tebow, in Denver. There is already damage done there with Elway not supporting Tebow enthusiastically. Tebow should be traded to Jacksonville to play in his hometown.

[Scott Moseley]

Marcus,
I might have to agree with you on this. I really thought he had a shot of ending up in Arizona because of the weather and the fact that Phoenix is a sports mecca for trainers and athletes. I do believe Harbaugh will win a Super Bowl, and Manning may be the guy to lead them there. If nothing else, they will have Alex Smith back and this is going to be tough, because Smith is visiting Miami and exploring his options. If Manning goes elsewhere and Smith stays, it will at least be somewhat awkward. The same will happen with Tebow, in Denver. There is already damage done there with Elway not supporting Tebow enthusiastically. Tebow should be traded to Jacksonville to play in his hometown.

But then we would never have a Manning Vs Manning Superbowl which is something i gotta believe Archie clearly wants a shot. Whatever happened to the conventional wisdom that P Manning would not want to compete against lil bro in the playoffs?

[Ryan Pugh]

I bet he goes to Denver.

[Kevin Rector]

I bet he goes to Denver.

Yup....

[Bob Hunter]

Manning to Denver, wow! Though not entirely surprising. Elway and Manning speak the same language and both understand championship level play in the NFL. The better choice for Manning would have been San Francisco. Manning is going with his gut and he must have confidence in the direction Elway is taking the team. I'm sure they will open the play book and let Manning edit and insert at will.

This is a risky move for Denver in a lot of ways. If Manning goes down with another neck injury, the Manning decision will appear to have been a riskier move than keeping Tebow. It's a gamble, I hope it works.

I see Tebow going home to Jacksonville and that will be good for Florida and Tebow. With Tebow in Jax, I expect the Jags to improve to 8-8 next season.

[Bob Hunter]

I found this post on a blog today and it makes about the most sense of any scenario I've heard.

"The Jaguars should trade for TEbow. Think about this.

Jaguars give Blaine Gabbert - Broncos give Tim Tebow and 2nd/3rd round draft pick.

Pros for Denver: Denver now has their future Franchise QB. Gabbert has the strong arm, the high ceiling, the conventional offense, AND his offense at Missouri is not too far off what Peyton will be running at Denver. Fast pace - spread offense. They get rid of Tebow, Elway is happy, Gabbert needs to sit for a couple years to learn.

Pros for Jacksonville: Tebow comes in, INSTANTLY sells a lot of tickets for the new owner. Tebow + Jones-Drew in the backfield = very difficult to stop. Tebow made a 33 year old Willis McGahee look like an all-pro runningback. With Jones-Drew, that offense can control the ball, and do some damage.

It makes sense for both teams, the question is whether Jacksonville GM Gene can get over his stubbornness to make it happen."