Its almost March people the month that we'll all find out which team Peyton Manning is going to end up on. I'm one of those who thinks the Colts will release him and start over. They're doing the same thing they did when he was drafted by gutting the whole team had bringing in new faces in almost every aspect of the front office. Manning isn't just any free agent and some aren't acknowledging this. He'll pick where he goes carefully. A team that's rebuilding or doesn't have any pieces to win now aren't on the list. He's also not going to a division top loaded either. So the AFC East is off limits in my opinion. Playing Brady and the Patriots twice a year just to make the playoffs doesn't sound strategic to me. Neither does entering a division loaded with talent including little brother. Sorry Skins fans you should move up and get RG3. That's really you one bright hope.
Miami though in the AFC East is still a maybe because of cap room and other things. Reggie Wayne is an ex Hurricane. New coach Joe Philbin is making a switch to 4-3 from 3-4 and Robert Mathis is a beast as we all know. And with a receiver like Brandon Marshall its easy to see why Manning would consider this move. If I were him I'd probably not go with this team but who knows. If they can get him and his entourage then it'll probably work out.
Now Arizona is a real possibility to me. Seeing how they have the players to make moves now to become a real contender. I know they just got Kevin Kolb and he was supposed to be the QB of the future in Arizona but really if Manning is available he'll be sought out. Kolb can easily be moved for a pick. Probably a 3rd or maybe a high 2nd rounder to the right team. Like Seattle, Cleveland, or maybe Washington if they fail in getting RG3 in the draft. The only positions they're aging is at OLB and SS. There d-line is aged but they drafted d-line last year and Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell are both great still. The Cardinals also have what some would call QB bait in wideout Larry Fitzgerald. No matter who's slinging it he gets numbers. Which means if you give him a quality QB you'll get more than just production from him. Last time he had a name tossing him the rock the Cardinals went to a Super Bowl then got beat the following season but never the less made the playoffs. With Manning there's a good chance he'll bring Reggie Wayne along with him. Meaning they'd have weapons outside. Beanie Wells just came off his best season as a pro and would more than likely do better with a QB that was actually feared to do something.
Now I'm not saying where he'll end up. But I do know this wherever Manning ends up he will make a difference in the in the culture. He'll change the way that team plays week in and week out. A lot like Joe Montana did for the Chief's when he went there. One thing that can't be denied is that a player with a winning resume makes others believe. Sometimes belief is more than enough to propel a team from mediocrity to a contender. Like Favre did with the Vikes. Like Warner and the Cardinals. And maybe one day I can add Manning to the list. Only time will tell.
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