Superbowl week was hijacked by a side-show taking place in Indianapolis. Namely, the start of formal divorce proceedings between Colts owner Jim Irsay and their stalwart Quarterback Peyton Manning. It was sad that in the week of the biggest game of the year, that a sub-plot became the story of the week. But it showed just how big Manning is. Four-time League MVP, a Superbowl winner, one of the very best to ever play the game.
For his part, Manning clearly courted attention all week. Only the most nave person would believe that it was anything other than a deliberate move on his and his advisors part, to announce that he has been medically cleared, on Thursday. He’d been in Indianapolis all week, when exactly did this medical examination take place?
Irsay was quick out the blocks the next day to make it clear that this was not the view of the Colts’ own Doctors. In effect, stating that we don’t agree and if you want your $28m due to you, we’re going to make sure you are able to play.
This is all posturing however. The Colts are nailed on certainties to draft Andrew Luck in late April. The usual rumours, conjecture and speculation will come out of the organisation that they’re considering other options. But we know they will wind up with the Stanford QB.
There are a multitude of reasons why that would likely signal the end of Manning’s reign in Indianapolis, long before the Commissioner announces Luck as the #1 overall pick.
Firstly, there is the cost. Last year, Cam Newton received $22m over four years. A huge comedown from Sam Bradford’s $78m contract the year before, even with every dollar guaranteed. Luck will be expected to be in that ball park figure. It was only last July when Manning signed a six year, $90m contract, averaging out about $18m a year. Even if the rumoured restructuring offer is on the table, the Colts have a looming deadline in early March.
Then, having this much money invested in one position on a team so woefully exposed last season is not the start a new GM and coaching team want to be in. The Colts have an awful lot of needs, and keeping two expensive QBs and the associated salary cap figures is merely delaying the inevitable for this team.
Then, there is the ego. Manning has shown of late he loves the attention. Once upon a time, you saw even more of him during a game break than you did during a game such was the number of advertisements he was doing. How will he feel knowing he is on the same team as the guy people want to replace him? It’s not a situation he has ever faced before.
So, it’s logical to assume that a parting of the ways is imminent. And assuming that the nerve is fully healed enough to his career to resume, we now should look to where Peyton might be plying his trade come September. Unsurprisingly given the calibre of the player, there should be no shortage of potential suitors. But where would be best for Peyton to finish out his playing days.
Here are just a few of those possibilities:
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are supposed to be the front-runners. Peyton has shown some interest. They’ve just acquired an offensively minded new Head Coach in Joe Philbin. Matt Moore showed flashes but lacks what is needed to get this team to the next level, and Chad Henne just never seems to have worked out. They have a good line, a solid running game and an upper echelon WR in Brandon Marshall. Defensively, they’re strong too. Plus, there’s the lovely Florida sunshine. The only major downside is they face two competitors in the AFC East.
Washington Redskins
Dan Snyder is never shy at pulling the trigger on big moves, and he certainly would have made far riskier ones than if he brought Peyton in. The only thing that could negate this is that the Redskins need to put more talent in place offensively for him. The defence could hold up and did last year, but Peyton would need tools in place. Their top ten draft pick would appeal in this case, with someone like Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State coming into their sights. This would, admittedly like all of these would, involve learning a new offence with the Shanahan’s. It would also keep Manning fully in the media spotlight on the East coast.
New York Jets
This is arguably the most intriguing possibility. There would be no bigger move for him to make than to go to the Big Apple where his little brother right now is untouchable. The media would have a field day with the stories and angles on this one, and that’s even before you think of him working under Rex Ryan and Tony Sparano. The Jets have slipped of late, and rumblings are abounding regarding Mark Sanchez. This offers Peyton the market he craves, a team that could and should be in contention and the chance to rekindle his competition with Brady, Belichick and the Patriots. Just don’t mention the last guy near the end of his career who came to the Jets
Seattle Seahawks
The Hawks don’t seem to get much of a mention. But quietly they could make the most sense. There’s been an awful lot of turnover since Pete Carroll came in, but yet they’ve never sorted out their QB position. Charlie Whitehurst nor Tarvaris Jackson are the answer. The defense was deceptively strong, and there are weapons in the passing game that just haven’t had the trigger man to make the best of them. Marshawn Lynch is due a new deal but if he stays the pieces of the jigsaw may appeal to Manning, particularly given the NFC West has been seen of late as a division that isn’t the hardest to emerge from. In fact there are one or two other teams in the West who may cast an eye in his direction.
San Francisco 49ers
Why would a team that just lost in the NFC Championship game, in overtime no less, want an ageing, fragile quarterback? Well, because as much as he came out of his shell this season, Alex Smith faded against the Giants when they needed him. The set-up would be perfect for Manning. A true contender.A former QB (with the Colts) as a Head Coach. Arguably the best defence we’ve seen in the league for a decade. If the Ninerscame calling I don’t think Peyton would need to think too long about it.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals really came into their own during the second half of 2011 and could be a contender. But they still need to sort out what they are doing at the Quarterback position. Kevin Kolb is still unproven and injury prone. John Skelton might just win, but he’s not a long-term solution. Manning, already having a home in the desert, would have Larry Fitzgerald to throw the ball to, arguably nobody better.
Wherever he ends up and whatever he ends up doing, the fate of Peyton Manning is going to be the big story of the NFL off-season, impacting the draft and free agency.
Superbowl week was hijacked by a side-show taking place in Indianapolis. Namely, the start of formal divorce proceedings between Colts owner Jim Irsay and their stalwart Quarterback Peyton Manning. It was sad that in the week of the biggest game of the year, that a sub-plot became the story of the week. But it showed just how big Manning is. Four-time League MVP, a Superbowl winner, one of the very best to ever play the game.
