Seahawks Are The New Favorites To Land Peyton Manning

by Brad Wells on Feb 20, 2012 11:00 AM EST in Colts News

Somewhere, Matt Ufford is drooling at the prospect of Peyton Manning wearing neon and silver.

According to Dan Pompei, the Chicagoan sports columnist who does a weekly Sunday piece for National Football Post:

Based on the buzz around the league, the Seahawks could be the early frontrunner for Peyton Manning, assuming he is released. Pete Carroll needs a quarterback and is believed to have a strong interest in at least exploring Manning. The Seahawks could offer Manning an attractive scenario. They have a young team with some fine skill players to put around him. They play in one of the league’s loudest stadiums. Manning wouldn’t be subject to the same kind of scrutiny in Seattle that he would in a lot of other markets.

Pompei also makes the argument that Seattle's team physician, Stan Herring, is one of the country’s preeminent specialists for spinal injuries. Reggie Wayne might also go with Manning as a "package deal."

Former Colts quarterback and Manning friend Brock Huard has already penned an open letter to Peyton, practically begging him to come to the Pacific Northwest. Mike Florio also thinks the Seahawks will land Manning.

Personally, I'd have no problem with it.

Peyton and Reggie in Seattle would be a fine addition to that division. Remember, just two years, the NFC West was a complete joke. If a presumably healthy Peyton and Reggie transplanted to the Land o' Starbucks, that means Peyton would be facing Jeff Fisher in his own division again (Fisher is now the HC in St. Louis) and he'd be going toe-to-toe twice a year against the man he replaced in Indianapolis, Jim Harbaugh.

Also, the Colts do not play the Seahawks in the regular season next year, which is a huge plus. The Colts and Manning must part and go their separate ways. Having them play each other the year that parting takes place doesn't help anything.

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Fine

I wouldn’t mind it at all. I mean, part of my wants Manning to ride off into the sunset, but I know that’s not happening.

I’d rather Manning end up in the NFC than the AFC

by TrueBlue87 on Feb 20, 2012 11:06 AM EST reply actions

I would be okay with this.

Seattle is a great town, my favorite city in the States. Very beautiful. I have many connections there. I think it would be cool to see the Seahawks being really competitive again.

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

by Addai Another Aday on Feb 20, 2012 11:31 AM EST via iPhone app reply actions

IF Peyton is released...

I think Seattle would be a great place to go as well because I personally wouldn’t have to see my Colts play him every year… The pakage deal scenario with him and Reggie is ideal as well…

But I will forever hold the belief he is coming back until the Colts tell me he isn’t… Speculating does no one any good, but we have enough free time to do it. Damn…Is it March 8th yet?

"Think wrongly if you please, but in all cases think for yourself" - Doris Lessing

by JohnHandburgers on Feb 20, 2012 11:31 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

You beat me to this....so you saved me some typing

So I’ll rec it.

by tim55 on Feb 20, 2012 12:25 PM EST up reply actions

Where ever he landed I really hope he parts ways with Irsay. I am a Colts fan but I do not like the way Jim handled all this thing.

And I hope he is healthy to play at his best so Irsay will be so ungry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do not say nothing Peyton and when the time comes make Irsay feeling like sh…..

by Violeta C on Feb 20, 2012 11:33 AM EST reply actions

Is English your second language?

by pattymac on Feb 20, 2012 11:53 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

IRSAY

has to look out for the best interests of the Colts, not Manning. Plenty of the stuff coming out is from Manning’s camp in hopes of putting pressure on Irsay to pick up that option.

by javen on Feb 20, 2012 11:39 AM EST reply actions

I just don’t get the anger toward Irsay. Both sides have handled this poorly.

However, like Irsay said, it’s about the horseshoe. The Colts are bigger than Manning.

I like Irsay and think he’s a good owner. There is no coincidence it took Bob Irsay’s death and Jim taking over for the Colts to get good.

by TrueBlue87 on Feb 20, 2012 11:43 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs

My thoughts exactly

have a rec

Now, "wait 'till next year" looks like "Watch out for next year!" GO LEAFS GO!

by AB_Positive on Feb 20, 2012 1:45 PM EST up reply actions

And another.

I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game. It will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set. Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us. ~Walt Whitman

by Chopaholic on Feb 20, 2012 4:59 PM EST up reply actions

Rec Party!

by James Broschat on Feb 20, 2012 7:22 PM EST up reply actions

And that was also when Manning was drafted which also helped BTW.

People seem to forget Jim was a GM of the Colts once upon a time and wasn’t very good. That being said he’s not the worst owner in the NFL I just think this whole thing with Manning could’ve been handled a lot better.

I wish he wouldn’t talk so much right now

by CF4L on Feb 21, 2012 9:52 AM EST up reply actions

How Did Peyton Handle It Poorly?

He has only had one major interview the entire season. An interview after his personal traner was fired out from under him. Last two weeks I have heard nothing from Peyton. I have just heard all the noise about how he is bad for Indie. That is from Fans as well as the owner. What if he says I will come back for 1 mill. Sounds like no one wants him even for that price!

by Chuck136 on Feb 21, 2012 1:38 PM EST up reply actions

Once again

Who cares!!!!!!! He could go play for the Pats for all I care. If its not the Colts then I’m not worried about it. If he plays Indy, I would hope they knock him around!!!

by Dito29 on Feb 20, 2012 11:40 AM EST reply actions

First Edge, now maybe Peyton?

Is Seattle the new landing spot for former great Colts?

by Ayrshire on Feb 20, 2012 12:14 PM EST reply actions

it would become the Colts "bone yard"

Whenever you get stressed, always remember: RDWHAHB

by danorocks17 on Feb 20, 2012 12:41 PM EST up reply actions

Don’t forget about Raheem Brock, Marcus Pollard and Adrian Moten.

I am a veteran of the Internet - I will suffer fools gladly. And then mock them. And then post cat pictures.

by BoilerUp1982 on Feb 20, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions

Edge>

He went to Arizona, not Seattle. :-)

by JTBLA on Feb 20, 2012 2:31 PM EST up reply actions

Did you see the picture above?

by Ayrshire on Feb 20, 2012 2:54 PM EST up reply actions

Lol!...

by (206)NightRidah on Feb 20, 2012 6:36 PM EST up reply actions

That's as far away from Indy as you can get and in the NFC

That is a best case scenario for Colts fans who can pretend that Manning just retired.

Pretty good scenario for me personally as well because I could go see Manning play in person…

by (206)NightRidah on Feb 20, 2012 12:45 PM EST reply actions

What would really be difficult

to take is if Peyton went on to bring a couple of championships to Seattle in the few years he has left,….when he only got one in Indy in 13 years. Not saying it’s likely, but it would be tough. Although, I’d be happy for Peyton.

by Ayrshire on Feb 20, 2012 1:17 PM EST up reply actions

I hope it's Seattle or Arizona

by Coltsfan1345 on Feb 20, 2012 1:02 PM EST reply actions

I'm sticking to -

He’s coming back – until I hear otherwise. He’ll leave either because: a) he’s not healthy b) Irsay drives his contract down to where it doesn’t make sense financially to Manning to come back.

Otherwise, I think he’s staying. He has roots down in Indy, I think he likes the Mid Western folk, and he’d love to play for one team.

but, as Tim55 sez, it don’t matter what I think until March 8th – and then we knows.

by buymymonkey on Feb 20, 2012 1:07 PM EST reply actions

Yes he’s going to stick around for a rebuilding project with the limited time he has left? Why?

Please you can live anywhere in this world with the amount of $$$ he has where you play really doesn’t matter.

by CF4L on Feb 20, 2012 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

What options..

Would the colts have in trading him and wayne, wouldn’t Seattle have to foot the bill for the contracts and thus mitigating the cap hit, maybe we could get an extra pick or two. Didn’t know if that was an option.

by Navy Colts Fan on Feb 20, 2012 1:10 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

Won't happen

Wayne’s a FA, he can pretty much go wherever.

Manning would amount to an NBA sign-and-trade, and no team is taking that $28M cap hit up front right away, even for Peyton Manning.

We’re in rebuilding mode. Take a deep breath, have a beer, enjoy the ride as we see what Luck can bring the ol’ Blue and White.

Now, "wait 'till next year" looks like "Watch out for next year!" GO LEAFS GO!

by AB_Positive on Feb 20, 2012 1:46 PM EST up reply actions

I could see this but I have a hard time thinking he’d want to be in the same conference as his brother.

I think he’ll go to another AFC team if he’s released. Its a weak conference and a far easier path to get to the SB

by CF4L on Feb 20, 2012 2:02 PM EST reply actions

Love it

I love the Seahawks and if Manning goes there, Hawks will finally have an explosive offense for a year. Hasselbeck had no one to throw to, Sidney Rice had no one throwing to him. Tavaris Jackson has been substandard. Seatlle already has a good secondary and a pretty good defense, I would love this. I don’t know if Manning wants to play outside or not though…

There's only 1 true friend in life. Jack Daniels.

by KBUnitz on Feb 20, 2012 4:26 PM EST reply actions

awesome, KBU

you can be a seahawks fan then

personally i hope manning retires

by omahacolt on Feb 20, 2012 8:02 PM EST up reply actions

I guess

I missed the part where the Seahawks have some fine skill players to put around Peyton Manning.

Doug Baldwin?
Sidney Rice? (who has Bob Sanders’ injury disease)
Marshawn Lynch? Had one great year and is one year away from being a 30-year-old RB.
Ben Obamanu?

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by kmbryant09 on Feb 20, 2012 11:18 PM EST reply actions

Carlson is solid.

And he will re-sign, if Peyton is there.
And let’s not forget Reggie.

Rice isn’t anywhere near Bob when it comes to injuries. He has played 13, 13, 16, 6 and 9 games so far.
And the reason he only played 6 games in 2010 was because he decided to go for the surgery way too late (in august 2010). He simply made a stupid decision, but that doesn’t make him prone to injuries.

Baldwin showed a lot of promise, and we know what Peyton can do with even the most average of receivers.

by Peter Storgaard on Feb 21, 2012 10:10 AM EST up reply actions

Really? I just don't see it...

I’ve also heard that Sidney Rice needs like 2 more surgeries this offseason, and has battled concussions this year. He’s frail.

Carlson is an average NFL Tight End.
Doug Baldwin showed promise.

Compare that situation to Miami (good OLine, top10 WR, average (but solid) TE, slot receiver, and receiving RB), Arizona (good running game, best WR in the league, plays in a dome, good/great defense, been through this before with Kurt Warner), or even the Jets (great defense, coach that loves Manning, some weapons in Holmes and Keller), and I just don’t get why Seattle would be the favorites.

If people are speculating that Manning PREFERS Seattle, that’s one thing. But suggesting that Seattle offers the best surrounding talent for Peyton just seems a bit ridiculous to me…

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by kmbryant09 on Feb 21, 2012 10:42 AM EST up reply actions

I wasn't saying that Seattle was the best landing spot.

I just thought you were being a bit too harsh in your criticism.

And you could make a lot of arguments against the other teams as well.

Miami: Plays in a much tougher division, no running game, Fasano is worse than Carlson.
Arizona: Fragile RB, no receivers outside Fitzy, a lot of money invested in Kolb.
Jets: No team spirit, too much attention, too many issues with a lot of the players.

I myself think Arizona is the best landing spot, but there are positives and negatives with every landing spot.

by Peter Storgaard on Feb 21, 2012 11:53 AM EST up reply actions

Seattle

Plays in bad weather
No running back (going to sign a 29-year-old?)
Lack of weapons

Every team has negatives. As for the positives, I don’t think Seattle is even in the top 3.

Realistically, Miami is a top TE away from having a stacked offense – 2 studs on the OLine, Bush seems to be revitalizing his career and they have a 2nd rounder behind him, a top10 WR, and a good slot WR (Bess). Their defense is pretty solid, although they need 1 more pass rusher. As to your points, they do have a running game (11th in rushing yards, 15th in ypa – and they played from behind a lot) – look what Bush did the 2nd half of the season. The division is tough, but Manning is very familiar with the Patriots and the Jets – 2 teams that he consistently torches. And Fasano is no worse than Jon Carlson.

Arizona has perhaps the 3 biggest attractions out there – they play in a dome, they have Larry Fitzgerald, and they’ve done this before with Kurt Warner a few years ago. They also play in a weak division (like Seattle, obviously). They have a surprisingly good defense, they too probably need another pass rusher and some OLine help. As to your points, yes Wells is fragile – but if Manning lands in AZ, Wells will be a 50/50 back with L. Stephen-Howling (or another RB brought in) who excels in the passing game. They lack receivers outside of Fitz, but that’s basically the same situation in Seattle – without Fitz. And I believe Wayne would follow Peyton to Arizona. They can get out of Kolb’s contract by the middle of March with very little cap hit.

Again, I just don’t see what’s so attractive about Seattle.

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by kmbryant09 on Feb 21, 2012 12:38 PM EST up reply actions

I obviously agree with you on Arizona

And I’m still not saying Seattle is THE most attractive spot. Nor is it awful either.

Miami sure has some positives, but the division is a big issue to me. So is their lack of cap space. Seattle don’t have this issue, and could bring in some quality veterans to help out Peyton.
And even though Seattle isn’t playing in a dome, they still have one heck of a home field advantage.

by Peter Storgaard on Feb 21, 2012 1:03 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, not really aiming my argument at you...

Just at those who believe Seattle is a very attractive spot for Manning.

As for home field advantage, I don’t really see how it effects Manning. It’s more of a crowd noise that helps their defense out by making things difficult on opposing offenses. If anything, playing in Seattle is a bad thing because of the cold and rainy weather.

It just seems that every positive thing Seattle has going for them, another team has it better.

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by kmbryant09 on Feb 21, 2012 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

kansas city is where peyton will go to

will the chiefs ever draft a Qb in the first round, not since todd blackledge in 83. and the chiefs could of had marino. OH well atleast 65 toss power trap worked for KC, it should be wide open red. Hank stram still the man.

by niageriannit1 on Feb 21, 2012 12:22 AM EST reply actions