If Manning Leaves, He Won't be Going to Any AFC Team. I Know What Team He Would Be Down Right Scary With Though.

by deywalka on Jan 12, 2012 3:09 PM EST

"If you have a chance to get a healthy 36-year-old Peyton Manning and you don’t do it, then you’re stupid. If I could get a healthy 36-year-old Peyton Manning, then, hell yeah, I would trade Sanchez."...."We can win a Super Bowl with Peyton."

These comments from an ESPN article sighting "anonymous" Jets players sparked a firestorm over the last few days with Indy fans looking for validity to the story while Jets fans were keeping their fingers crossed in hopes it indeed was a glimpse of a deal in the works by some wishful thinkers who are done with "Sanchize." When I saw this story my 1st reaction was laughter. I honestly thought it just a waste of journalism that at best was only intended to draw attention to the possibility of making something out of nothing by planting a seed in the minds of the Jets brass while raising the ire of NY fans who would like nothing more than to send Sanchez packing. Relax Colts fans. This is a deal that is never going to happen. For those of you who think the Jets would offer the "barn" for PMs services, they can't even offer half the "house." Even if they did, Irsay would never trade Manning to an AFC team let alone an AFC rival like NY. So hypothetically speaking, where would Manning go if he's not going to be back with the Colts? As far as trade scenarios go, Irsay and Co would look to the NFC for a deal like this. So what possible teams would be viable suitors for his services? Here is a short list I've compiled:

Arizona

Minnesota

Dallas

Washington

Keeping Manning's age at this stage in his career in perspective, we can knock off Arizona, and Washington as possible landing spots. Minnesota? Think about it. With the Vikings, Manning would have arguably the best RB in the game at his disposal, a solid defense that would be an improvement over the one he's had the majority of his career here, and a team that is only 2 years removed from a NFC championship loss. Peyton would fit in nicely with the Vikings and would instantly make them the 2nd best team in their division behind the Packers. As nice as that might sound, the team I feel gives Manning the best shot at returning to the SB would be the Cowboys. I know I know you're thinking "what about Romo?" Have you seen Romo throughout his Cowboys career? What about Romo? Jerry Jones is just the Maverick Owner/GM who would pull the trigger on a deal like this if he really felt it would get Big D back into the SB. Jones is about one thing and one thing only: Winning at all costs. If you think he has any loyalties to his players go talk to Jimmy Johnson about that one. If Jones is willing to part with a man who without a doubt was the best coach he's had to date, you can best believe he would cut ties with a QB who to this point can't get past the second round of the playoffs let alone get in them.

Although the Cowboys have been perennial underachievers, they still remain one of the league's most talented teams. With them Manning would have a WR core in Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, and TE Jason Whitten that rivals the trio he had here with Harrison, Wayne and Clark. He also would have a solid running game in Felix Jones and rookie Demarco Murray. But the most intriguing thing would be the improved defense with the addition of DC Rob Ryan. Yes, Manning with the Cowboys would definitely be "P nasty."

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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dallas

not going to dallas. Romo is actually pretty good and Jones loves him, even though he has not been clutch

by coltsgolfbeer on Jan 12, 2012 3:35 PM EST reply actions

Jones loved Jimmy Johnson too

but that didn’t stop him from firing him. I didn’t say Manning was going to Dallas. I said if he does leave Dallas would offer the best chance of getting him back to the SB. If you think Jones would pass on a HOF GOAT QB like Manning for Romo you are sadly mistaken.

by deywalka on Jan 12, 2012 3:38 PM EST reply actions

false

i just know Jones would not do it. He would lose Romo because of it and Romo is the future. He wouldn’t lose risking Romo for a 36 year old QB.

by coltsgolfbeer on Jan 12, 2012 4:45 PM EST up reply actions

Romo has been "the future" for

over 9 years now. Technically you’re not the “future” once you’ve been in the league for that amount of time. Out of 9 years he has yet to see a single SB. I hardly call that the future.

by deywalka on Jan 12, 2012 4:54 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

dallas

I don’t see him getting traded at all, with the cap hit the Colts would take and Peyton’s hefty price tag. If he were to be traded though, hypothetically speaking, it wouldn’t make sense that he’d go to Dallas. Tony Romo is indeed a good qb. If they trade for Manning, then what happens to Romo? He leaves, then the Cowboys are left without a qb after Manning retire. We’ve yet to see him on a field. That could be merely another year from now.

by Adam McDougal on Jan 12, 2012 3:47 PM EST reply actions

Colts can't trade Peyton.

How many times have we been over this?

Also, no way in hell that Bryant/Austin/Witten rival Harrison/Wayne/Clark.

by James Broschat on Jan 12, 2012 3:59 PM EST reply actions

I can tell you haven't watched very

many Cowboys games. On paper Dez Bryant and Miles Austin are physically better WRs than Harrison and Wayne. Wayne is not a “burner.” Bryant and Austin are. Plus you seem to forget that Manning is a big reason why Harrison and Wayne are the WRs they are. He elevates the play of his teammates. He would no doubt elevate the play of Dallas’ WRs as well.

by deywalka on Jan 12, 2012 4:07 PM EST up reply actions

BTW Whitten is a

probowl TE. He’s pretty much the “Dallas Clark” of the Cowboys.

by deywalka on Jan 12, 2012 4:08 PM EST up reply actions

You keep missing the point.

Romo may be “good,” but he’s not an improvement over Manning. Sanchez was good enough to help the Jets make it to two AFC championship games but that didn’t stop players on that team from ripping him now. Manning vs Romo. GOAT vs underachiever. That’s not even a contest of comparison. Also again I didn’t say he would be traded, I said IF he was the best team for him to go to would be the Cowboys. BTW, Romo is no spring chicken either. His time is winding down as well.

by deywalka on Jan 12, 2012 4:02 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

You also forget

The running game and the defense are what really carried them to those AFC games….and he was ultimately the reason why they struggled

by DevilsReject on Jan 13, 2012 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

That only accentuates my

point even more so. That’s the only reason I mentioned Sanchez to begin with (Yeah, I know the defense and running game carried him).

by deywalka on Jan 13, 2012 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

Might as well

go to the Eagles with their “burners”. Manning is one of the best Qbs to play the game. There aren’t many teams that wouldn’t upgrade at the position by picking up Manning, but he wouldn’t be enough of an upgrade for a team like Dallas to go out and get him. The logical (and likely) thing to do would be to use their assets to make the rest of the roster better. Romo’s not the only person keeping them from the playoffs. Also, you pretty much did imply he would be traded by saying the Jets couldn’t get him because he wouldn’t be traded to an AFC team, but whatever.

by Adam McDougal on Jan 12, 2012 4:14 PM EST reply actions

+1

Just posted that below!

by Rogco on Jan 12, 2012 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

I think

the Jets actually would make the most sense if he ends up leaving the Colts but still wants to play.

by Adam McDougal on Jan 12, 2012 4:15 PM EST reply actions

I can see the Jets or Vikings.

And it's now my sig
by Bronn on May 17, 2011 4:56 PM EDT

by Sparhawk on Jan 12, 2012 4:33 PM EST up reply actions

No I didn't imply

that he would be traded. I said “As far as trade scenarios go” which is another way of saying hypothetically speaking. I mentioned the Cowboys because they are the most talented team he could go to which could use an upgrade at QB. I’ve seen enough of Romo to come to the conclusion that he’s not a big time QB. He makes too many bad decisions with the ball when the game is on the line. The Cowboys are QB and FS away from being an elite team. Manning would do wonders for their offense which would mask any deficiencies they have on D.

by deywalka on Jan 12, 2012 4:37 PM EST reply actions

Eagles

I know it won’t happen. Just saying he’d be downright scary throwing to those speedy receivers, teaming back up with Howard Mudd, really good running back. They’d pick Ds apart.

by Rogco on Jan 12, 2012 4:37 PM EST reply actions

He pick teams apart with the Cowboys too.

Manning, Bryant, Austin, Whitten, and now Robinson. What’s not to like about those options??

by deywalka on Jan 12, 2012 4:39 PM EST up reply actions

Manning is not going to any other team.

He plays here if healthy or he retires.

Bank It.

by JCub3d on Jan 12, 2012 5:25 PM EST reply actions

Manning going elsewhere..

The only problem with your post is, Manning won’t be traded cap hit of 38 million would prevent that, therefor he would have to be released which would make him a free agent to go AFC/NFC, so yes he could land with any AFC team that pays him, not likely but completely possible.

by ColtsFan360FW on Jan 12, 2012 5:50 PM EST via Android app reply actions

Again is said

HYPOTHETICALLY SPEAKING. I know Manning probably won’t get traded outside of a blockbuster offer. IMO I feel the Cowboys would be the best team for him to go to based upon overall talent. Yes he could do well with the Jets but Baltimore is fine with Flacco.

by deywalka on Jan 12, 2012 6:32 PM EST up reply actions

Duh

if Peyton wants to go elsewhere, he gets to choose the location. He has all the leverage in this situation. There’s almost no chance the team picks up his 28 million dollar option. If they don’t, he’s a free agent. If he wants out because he senses (rightly) that the team in 2012 won’t be any good with or without him, he gets to just force the issue and wait to get cut.

The Jets have no incentive to try to trade for him. All they have to do is wait.

The scariest team with Peyton would probably be the Ravens. They’re better than the Jets everywhere (including incumbent QB) but especially at coach.

The Cowboys have a QB that’s historically more efficient than Peyton, despite some brain farts. The Cardinals are nothing special. Minnesota is aging and getting weaker everywhere and just lost their best player to an ACL injury, and the Skins are just poorly managed, poorly coached, and not stocked with talent. He’s not scary on any of those teams, wouldn’t choose to go to any of them, and none even have all that much to offer the Colts for him.

If and when he leaves, he’ll go to New York or Baltimore. Or he’ll hold on to hope as long as he can before retiring.

by willyduer on Jan 12, 2012 5:57 PM EST reply actions

Wayne

Wayne is leagues ahead of anybody in Dallas. It is like comparing an F1 car to a skateboard…

by Antillar on Jan 13, 2012 2:20 AM EST reply actions

49ers give him the best shot.

The 49ers are an elite QB from kicking everyone’s ass. Great defense, great running game and great receivers. Forget the Cowboys and Vikings, the 49ers in this Disneyland scenario would be the best bet for Peyton to earn another SB title or 2.

by Spike7 on Jan 13, 2012 2:43 AM EST reply actions

Im not sure why KC is not on this list.

The chiefs have a solid D and will get healthy on the off season. Bowe, Breaston, and the new kid Baldwin would be great targets not to mention a Sproles type back in McCluster and Jamal Charles healthy next year. Hell the team won two of four games with Tyler Palko at the helm.

by OdnsRvns on Jan 13, 2012 5:23 AM EST reply actions

Because I "IF" Manning was traded

the organization wouldn’t trade him to an AFC team. That’s why I didn’t mention any AFC teams.

by deywalka on Jan 13, 2012 4:11 PM EST up reply actions

Peyton would never go to Jerry World

Dallas plays the Giants twice a year and once every blue moon in the playoffs. He would NEVER do that. Also, he and Eli grew up Saint’s fans which means they hate the Cowboys.
Besides, the Cowboys are NOT that good on paper. Analysts are finally realizing what a lot of us already knew, they aren’t that loaded. That’s a myth propogated by analysts who want the Cowboys to be good because they are popular and would bring in more money in the playoffs. Peyton knows that Jerry Jones is a poor GM and would never give him the necessary tools to win. It has to be the 49ers, Ravens or Jets.

by GrizzColt on Jan 13, 2012 11:52 AM EST reply actions

Dallas

hasn’t had a decent DB since 2004.

"Cat in the wall, eh? Ok, now you're talking my language. I know this game."
-Charlie

by Addai Another Aday on Jan 13, 2012 6:27 PM EST up reply actions

he's going to the 49ers

that’s the best situation for him to win

running back – check

Oline – check

defense – check

coaching – check

they are a QB away for taking the league over.

by Phillycolt on Jan 13, 2012 9:36 PM EST reply actions

Vikings D was not good this year

Their pass defense is downright awful and the run defense took a huge step back from last year. I don’t see how the Vikings would be much different from the Colts.

"It's about the journey--mine and yours--and the lives we can touch, the legacy we can leave, and the world we can change for the better."
— Tony Dungy

by Mark Olson on Jan 14, 2012 11:43 AM EST reply actions