Colts to Release Peyton Manning

[MikeyC]

Originally Posted by Stephen

I don't know why, but it annoys me how big of a deal ESPN is making this. It's not like the writing wasn't already on the wall. Further, outside of a select few (Dan Marino, Walter Payon, and Barry Sanders come to mind) the all-time greats don't start and finish their professional football career with the same team.

I think we all saw this coming and unfortunately few players in this day and age of free agency and salary cap start and finish their career on the same team. I didn't believe for a second the initial reports that said the Colts would keep Manning and Luck on the roster for a year or two.

I think Peyton is a GIANT question mark right now. How healthy is he really? Is he going to get any healthier with time? How injury prone is he at this point in his career? I think he'll land somewhere and get a contract HEAVY with incentives and a smaller than he's used to base salary. I'd be shocked if he came back the same player he was in the past but he'll probably still be a decent QB and better than some options teams currently have on their rosters.

[Remo]

Originally Posted by kelmac07

I see the Jets making a push for him. Sanchez isn't the man in NY.

Let's hope not, that is a sinking ship and I would hate to see him end a great career on that ship!

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by E.J.

I'm pretty interested to see if he can go to Minny or Miami and make some noise...

Really wish Denver could make something work to bring him in....

Originally Posted by ChicagoWhiteSox

Welcome to the Windy City Manning. Jay can be a backup
Posted via Mobile Device

Originally Posted by jsnake

Kansas City is going to snag him first........ I hope.

Originally Posted by irratebass

I had seen a few weeks ago someone from Dallas tweeted that he was going there, but no confirmation....we shall see.

Two dark horses not yet mentioned:
Arizona - playing with the best wide receiver in football with your home games in a controlled environment? Would also give the team a much needed identity it currently lacks.

Seattle - Would've made the playoffs last year if there had been a competent quarterback under center. Seattle is young; this would buy them a couple of years to find a future signal caller while still remaining competitive.

To me, either Miami/Kansas City/Arizona make the most sense.

[shilala]

I'm with Stephen on all points. The writing was on the wall for this one. I think the Colts have a long struggle ahead without Peyton in the organization, but that's another thread.
I understand Miami is in the mix according to the Miami Herald and the billboards they've posted around town. There's two websites devoted to trying to bring Peyton to Miami.
I just do not see him there, regardless of the fit. Flynn makes a lot more sense for a lot less money.
I think Arizona makes the most sense, and if I was betting, that's where my money would be. It gets Peyton out of the cold and into a place that's done this sort of thing before with Kurt Warner. They know how to make it all work.
I have no idea where any of these teams are financially, or if any of them can come at Peyton with anywhere near 28 million, but we'll see. I'd like to take a look at the cap room for each team and see what other constructive ways they can defer money to make the best possible guess, but from a guy who's got a backful of metal, I can positively say that that high pressure desert is gonna feel good on Peyton's multiple surgeries. That environment is going to be a huge sell for an old, cobbed up man.

[smitty81]

Originally Posted by shilala

I'm with Stephen on all points. The writing was on the wall for this one. I think the Colts have a long struggle ahead without Peyton in the organization, but that's another thread.
I understand Miami is in the mix according to the Miami Herald and the billboards they've posted around town. There's two websites devoted to trying to bring Peyton to Miami.
I just do not see him there, regardless of the fit. Flynn makes a lot more sense for a lot less money.
I think Arizona makes the most sense, and if I was betting, that's where my money would be. It gets Peyton out of the cold and into a place that's done this sort of thing before with Kurt Warner. They know how to make it all work.
I have no idea where any of these teams are financially, or if any of them can come at Peyton with anywhere near 28 million, but we'll see. I'd like to take a look at the cap room for each team and see what other constructive ways they can defer money to make the best possible guess, but from a guy who's got a backful of metal, I can positively say that that high pressure desert is gonna feel good on Peyton's multiple surgeries. That environment is going to be a huge sell for an old, cobbed up man.

The thing is though, He is a risk and he knows it. I think he will take a lot less to play than what the Colts were paying him healthy. I think he will take the money because he wants to play and he knows that no one is going to fork out that kind of cash on a QB that just went through what he did. Hell, no one has seen him actually even play yet.

[jonumberone]

I don't think Peyton will play for a cold weather team.
Being a dome QB for his career and with his neck injury, it just makes sense.
If he does play for a cold weather team, it will be for the Skins. Why?
For the $, of course.
And who is foolish enough to overpay for a 36yr old, injured QB?
Dan Snyder!
I'm willing to bet he's had an erection since he found out Peyton was being released!

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by jonumberone

I don't think Peyton will play for a cold weather team.
Being a dome QB for his career and with his neck injury, it just makes sense.
If he does play for a cold weather team, it will be for the Skins. Why?
For the $, of course.
And who is foolish enough to overpay for a 36yr old, injured QB?
Dan Snyder!
I'm willing to bet he's had an erection since he found out Peyton was being released!

I see the Redskins making a move for RGIII.

[dave]

Originally Posted by jonumberone

I don't think Peyton will play for a cold weather team.
Being a dome QB for his career and with his neck injury, it just makes sense.
If he does play for a cold weather team, it will be for the Skins. Why?
For the $, of course.
And who is foolish enough to overpay for a 36yr old, injured QB?
Dan Snyder!
I'm willing to bet he's had an erection since he found out Peyton was being released!

Even Snyder doesn't have enough money to bring Peyton to same division as Eli.
Put your money on an AFC team. And not NY or Denver. I'd say Miami or KC.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by dave

Even Snyder doesn't have enough money to bring Peyton to same division as Eli.
Put your money on an AFC team. And not NY or Denver. I'd say Miami or KC.

Good point which further makes me believe that the Redskins are going after RGIII. If I had to put a hundred dollar bet on a parlay on how the quarterback carousel will shake out, it'd look something like this:

Cleveland - Flynn
Miami - Manning
Washington - RGIII
Arizona - Kolb ($$$)
NY Jets - Dirty Sanchez ($$$)
KC - Cassel

[mosesbotbol]

He should go where ever Randy Moss lands.

[IndyRob]

It will be a different town without him, that is for sure. We're going to miss Peyton Manning on and off the field. He did a lot for Indianapolis, but at the end of the day... We have to think about our team's future, and freeing up that amount of money can really bring in some fresh new talent.

[shilala]

Originally Posted by IndyRob

It will be a different town without him, that is for sure. We're going to miss Peyton Manning on and off the field. He did a lot for Indianapolis, but at the end of the day... We have to think about our team's future, and freeing up that amount of money can really bring in some fresh new talent.

Indianapolis won the qb lottery twice in a row now. Someone's looking out for them, that's for sure. They really need to learn how to build a team now. It'll sure help if they're gonna contend.
I think Luck will be huge, but I don't think he's a one-man team like Peyton, or at least an impact player like him. That remains to be seen, though.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by shilala

Indianapolis won the qb lottery twice in a row now. Someone's looking out for them, that's for sure.

...And drafted John Elway, Bert Jones, and picked up Johnny U up off the scrapheap after the Steelers cut him during training camp. Ridiculous. Just plain ridiculous.

[BeerAdvocate]

I would love to see him in AZ throwing to Larry Fitz.!!!!

[shilala]

I really don't think Cleveland is smart enough to pick up Flynn, and if he's heard any talk from the dickwads around here, I'd be shocked to even think he'd consider Cleveland.
I really think Manning ends up in AZ, and I still don't think Cleveland makes a qb move unless it's after RG3.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by shilala

I really don't think Cleveland is smart enough to pick up Flynn, and if he's heard any talk from the dickwads around here, I'd be shocked to even think he'd consider Cleveland.
I really think Manning ends up in AZ, and I still don't think Cleveland makes a qb move unless it's after RG3.

Investigating it a bit further on my lunch break, the Cardinals would have to get something done, and quickly, because Kolb is due a sizable bonus in a week and a half. Don't underestimate the power of the cheapskate that resides in Arizona.

[dave]

Originally Posted by shilala

I really don't think Cleveland is smart enough to pick up Flynn, and if he's heard any talk from the dickwads around here, I'd be shocked to even think he'd consider Cleveland.
I really think Manning ends up in AZ, and I still don't think Cleveland makes a qb move unless it's after RG3.

As a devoted GB fan, I continue to be amazed at the Flynn buzz. He's got unlimited potential, sure - but am I the only one reminded of Matt Cassel everytime Flynn's name comes up? I'd be more than happy having him remain GB backup, but if we can get some serious value, it might be a good time to sell high.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by dave

As a devoted GB fan, I continue to be amazed at the Flynn buzz. He's got unlimited potential, sure - but am I the only one reminded of Matt Cassel everytime Flynn's name comes up? I'd be more than happy having him remain GB backup, but if we can get some serious value, it might be a good time to sell high.

As a devoted GB fan, you should also remember guys like Mark Brunell, Aaron Brooks, and Matt Hasselbeck. In any case, it doesn't matter. The time to franchise tag a player has came and went, and Flynn went untagged. Whatever compensation we receive from him will be by way of a compensatory pick.

[shilala]

I just got a text from rotowire that says 12 teams contacted Manning's representatives (concerning his neck) yesterday.
If any of you guys missed the press conference, it's worth looking for. If there was any animosity between Irsay and Manning, it sure wasn't evident. It was obvious they reached the release decision together based on their committment to the franchise.
It was quite the tearjerker, too.

[shilala]

Here's the press conference.