Dolphins Want Peyton Manning

Added on Jan 23, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

Add Miami to the list of about twenty teams interested in acquiring Peyton Manning’s services “if” the Colts decide to cut him loose. It’s no secret that Matt Moore, despite having a decent 2011 campaign, isn’t the answer long-term, and since it’s the offseason for everyone but the Patriots and Giants, it’s fun to speculate about possible scenarios, no matter how ridiculous they might be.

First it was the Jets, now the Dolphins. Stay tuned for countless rumors regarding Peyton’s future. The problem with all these unsubstantiated pipe dreams is that’s all they are. Indianapolis is in the midst of a complete front office makeover. Until they decide on a head coach and implement a draft strategy and consult a world class team of doctors, Peyton Manning will remain right where he is.

And it’s not as if Indy will just give away a Hall of Fame quarterback to a division or conference rival. Lest we forget, Manning is under contract, a $90 million contract he signed six months ago. Any team that traded for him would absorb a major salary cap hit, and that’s providing Manning receives a clean bill of health for his fused neck. It’s unlikely, although not unheard of, a franchise would give up players and draft picks for a quarterback who hasn’t been medically cleared to play.

Should Manning be medically cleared, there’s zero chance he would be flat out released. Owner Jim Irsay is a lot of things, but stupid he is not. Even if they draft Stanford’s Andrew Luck, as expected, there’s no reason to rush him onto the field if Manning is ready and healthy. Aaron Rodgers sat for three years behind Brett Favre and clearly benefited from doing so.

Now, if Luck is selected, Peyton could always cry disrespect and demand a trade. But he has to have a leg, or in his case, neck, to stand on before issuing demands. If he truly is damaged goods, he has little to no room to maneuver. It’s obvious Manning isn’t ready to call it quits, unless he has no choice.

Bottom line: nobody knows anything at this point. Until the Colts or Manning or both reveal his prognosis for 2012 and beyond, when and where he returns will remain a mystery.

Source: NFL.com