Peyton Manning is the biggest free agent to come along in recent history. There have been reports that at least twelve teams have contacted Manning and his representatives. So here are the five teams that will probably be in Manning race.
Miami Dolphins:
The Dolphins look like a team that is almost there if they have a franchise quarterback. Matt Moore played decently down the stretch and a team that started 0-7 to finish 6-10. They have a number one wide receiver in place with Brandon Marshall, a 1000 yard rusher in Reggie Bush, and a defense that is solid. However, the problems with this situation is that the AFC East division is tough you would have to play Brady and Patriots twice-and the rest of the division is no cakewalk either, the Jets and Bills can both show up when they want to. I think Manning would have to do too much to make this team a contender.
San Francisco 49ers:
If Manning where to go to the 49ers it would be instant Championship. That defense brought Alex Smith!!!!!! Damn near to the Superbowl, I think the 49ers have to look at Manning. Alex Smith did a decent job last year, but he could not move the ball against the Giants when it really mattered. Manning would have won that game. 49ers run the ball really well which would take a lot of pressure of Manning. There are a couple of drawbacks to this 49ers situation one is that Jim Harbaugh really believes in Alex Smith, and probably would not respond well to Manning’s presence. Another huge problem is that the 49ers are very thin at wide receiver position, Crabtree is not the answer and I can not name another receiver on their team. Vernon Davis is a beast, but if teams take him away there is no one else the other teams have to game plan for. I still think that the 49ers would make a huge mistake by not going after Manning the division would be there’s and you gauranteed to be playing in the conference championship game.
Arizona Cardinals:
The Cardinals have a nice chance of getting Manning. They play in a dome, have a number one receiver with Larry Fitzgerald, and if the defense that can show up on a more consistently next season they may have something going. There division only has one team in its way and that is the 49ers, but if Alex Smith turns into Alex Smith again than that may not be that big of a problem after all. I honestly feel Manning can really succeed here, this team is young enough to respond to a guy like Manning and I think the coaching staff would really be receptive to him. It worked before with Kurt Warner and don’t see why it wouldn’t work with Manning.
Washington Redskins:
This won’t work see: Donovan McNabb and Albert Haynesworth end of story.
New York Jets:
This won’t work see: Brett Farve and Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan has become a character of himself and this team is completely out of control and too many personalities and on top of that they aren’t wining. Manning wants no part of the circus that is the Jets.
