March 8, 2012

Greg's Top Ten Teams Peyton Manning Should Sign With:

1. Denver Broncos: I can't take credit for this because it was my friend Darrell, who originally proposed the idea to me, but damn it makes a lot of sense. Think about it, the defense is one of the best in the league and the running game is strong and one of the best tackles in the league, Ryan Clady, will be protecting his blindside. Even better, the division is very weak and would give Manning a chance to get back to the playoffs right away. As for Tim Tebow, we all know he would gracefully step aside and revel in the opportunity to "learn from the best" for a year or two.

2. Houston Texans: Like the Broncos, they have a good defense and a stellar ground game. My only reservation is that Manning wouldn't want to sign with a team that plays the Colts twice a year. Call me crazy, but I think Peyton has a tremendous amount of respect for his former team and wouldn't want to play in the division that his former teams resides in. However, the chance to win a Super Bowl might just be in Houston where it seems the only thing holding them back is a quarterback who can stay upright for 16 games a season.

3. San Francisco 49ers: Some will say this should be at the top but if the Niners want to sign Peyton they'll need to do something about their questionable offensive line. Sure, they have a Super Bowl caliber defense but fans know that the protection on offense is questionable and keeping Peyton healthy is an absolute must at this stage in his career. Perhaps his quick release will be enough to overcome the mediocrity of the offensive line, but who would he throw to? Perhaps Reggie Wayne or Pierre Garçon can follow Peyton to the Bay and give him an instant target.

4. Miami Dolphins: Reggie Wayne went to the University of Miami and needs a home, too and I think he'll follow Manning wherever he goes. Team up Wayne with Brandon Marshall and you've got two superb targets. Peyton could play Tom Brady twice a year. Imagine the possibilities. The Fins would be a great spot for Manning to play and few teams have had a harder time filling the shoes of a Hall of Fame quarterback quite like the Dolphins. Peyton also has a home in Miami so it would be an easy move. I do question a few things like would Peyton feel a greater temptation from one of the other teams listed above or will the Fins go after Packer QB Matt Flynn or RG3 in the NFL Draft to build a long term future? Only time will tell, but this would really be a nice fit for Peyton.

5. Arizona: Moving to the desert would be a decent fit since they have a star playmaker at wide receiver in Larry Fitzgerald but I've heard Manning say he would prefer to play in the AFC. If that's true, then Arizona might be a bit lower on his list than some of the AFC teams he's considering. The small media presence would be a plus if he goes to Arizona and the Cardinals do have some decent skill position players but, like the 49ers, lack a strong offensive line and the Cardinals already sacrificed quite a bit to get their current starter Kevin Kolb.

6. Seattle: Again, another NFC team that might make a strong bid for Peyton but fall short due to being in the wrong conference and not having enough pieces in place to make a serious run at a Super Bowl. They have a tremendous rusher in Marshawn Lynch, but few targets to throw to and some holes on defense. Still, I can see Pete Carroll doing his very best to secure Manning, but it would take some convincing for it to happen considering the circumstances.

7. New York Jets: This is only listed here because they are a possible suitor and they do have almost everything aside from a quarterback who can help them win right away. Even with all the great players they have on both sides of the ball including a stellar offensive line, I cannot imagine he'd want to go to the media circus in New York and play for someone like Rex Ryan who's quickly losing his team's respect. Another thing that Manning won't do is sign with a team that plays in the same town his brother does. Peyton wants nothing to do with Eli's territory out of respect for his sibling who has finally made his own name in the largest media market in the country.

8, 9, 10: Kansas City, Minnesota, Washington: There's no point in giving these longshots their own write-up since they all have about as good a shot of signing Peyton than I do of signing with the Colts. True, they all need quarterbacks desperately, but they're all a long way away from being a real contender for a Super Bowl and money alone won't entice someone like Manning who has more money than he'll ever need in his lifetime or several lifetimes for that matter.