Analyzing Peyton Manning's Options

Mitch · February 23rd, 2012, 12:50 PM

Washington---

Plusses:

1. Owner who is willing to spend big money.
2. A veteran HC who has won Super Bowls.
3. Autonomy to run his own offense?
4. Good, aggressive defense.

Minuses:

1. Shaky offensive line.
2. Tough Division.
3. Playing versus brother twice a year (some insist PM would like this? Sure he's ultra competitive, but one could imagine he would just as soon avoid the twice a year thing).
4. Outdoor stadium.

Seattle---

Plusses:

1. Plenty O' Cap Space---to sign him and others in tow.
2. Autonomy to run the offense his way.
3. A good running game.
4. Rabid fan base.

Minuses:

1. Cold, rainy, windy weather.
2. Young WR unit.
3. A suspect offensive line.
4. A HC who could get on anyone's nerves.

Miami---

Plusses:

1. Manning and his wife own a house there.
2. Autonomy.
3. Solid defense.
4. LT Jake Long and WR Brandon Marshall

Minuses:

1. Heat and humidity.
2. New HC and staff.
3. Very tough division.
4. Young RBs.

New York Jets---

Plusses:

1. Talented roster with Super Bowl potential.
2. Good running game.
3. Very good defense.
4. Aggressive ownership and rabid fan base.

Minuses:

1. Cold weather last two months and in playoffs.
2. Maniacal HC...and not much cap room.
3. Taking some of the NY spotlight away from his brother.
4. Tough division.

Arizona---

Plusses:

1. Indoor stadium.
2. Autonomy? With a little help from WR Coach Frank Reich?
3. Larry Fitzgerald.
4. Precedent of going to Super Bowl with past Super Bowl MVP QB.

Minuses:

1. Offensive line.
2. Front office dynamics.
3. Little cap space.
4. Not as splashy a place to be as Miami, Washington or New York.

The fact that Arizona is the only team that has an indoor stadium---might weigh heavily in PM's favor---and that he would get to play on natural grass as well. And, in Larry Fitzgerald, PM would have a football soul mate.

The only thing I wonder---is what Kurt Warner would tell him. Warner recently was critical of how the Cardinals have let go of key players---and Warner said he "lost the fun of the game" in his last year...and there may be well more to that than just his injury concerns. I think Warner would paint both sides---and that he would talk up Fitz big-time to Peyton---but I wonder if he would offer Peyton enough of a positive and persuasive endorsement.

Some might say---who cares about what Warner might have to say---but, there is no doubt in my mind that if PM was ever seriously considering signing with the Cardinals, that Kurt Warner would be one of the first calls he would make.

The closest team in the running here to being a Super Bowl champion?

The New York Jets.

The decision might be a simple as that...regardless of geography and other logistics.

The Cardinals once lost another Super Bowl MVP QB to the New York Jets.

Can you name him?

Buckybird · February 23rd, 2012, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch

Washington---

Plusses:

1. Owner who is willing to spend big money.
2. A veteran HC who has won Super Bowls.
3. Autonomy to run his own offense?
4. Good, aggressive defense.

Minuses:

1. Shaky offensive line.
2. Tough Division.
3. Playing versus brother twice a year (some insist PM would like this? Sure he's ultra competitive, but one could imagine he would just as soon avoid the twice a year thing).
4. Outdoor stadium.

Seattle---

Plusses:

1. Plenty O' Cap Space---to sign him and others in tow.
2. Autonomy to run the offense his way.
3. A good running game.
4. Rabid fan base.

Minuses:

1. Cold, rainy, windy weather.
2. Young WR unit.
3. A suspect offensive line.
4. A HC who could get on anyone's nerves.

Miami---

Plusses:

1. Manning and his wife own a house there.
2. Autonomy.
3. Solid defense.
4. LT Jake Long and WR Brandon Marshall

Minuses:

1. Heat and humidity.
2. New HC and staff.
3. Very tough division.
4. Young RBs.

New York Jets---

Plusses:

1. Talented roster with Super Bowl potential.
2. Good running game.
3. Very good defense.
4. Aggressive ownership and rabid fan base.

Minuses:

1. Cold weather last two months and in playoffs.
2. Maniacal HC...and not much cap room.
3. Taking some of the NY spotlight away from his brother.
4. Tough division.

Arizona---

Plusses:

1. Indoor stadium.
2. Autonomy? With a little help from WR Coach Frank Reich?
3. Larry Fitzgerald.
4. Precedent of going to Super Bowl with past Super Bowl MVP QB.

Minuses:

1. Offensive line.
2. Front office dynamics.
3. Little cap space.
4. Not as splashy a place to be as Miami, Washington or New York.

The fact that Arizona is the only team that has an indoor stadium---might weigh heavily in PM's favor---and that he would get to play on natural grass as well. And, in Larry Fitzgerald, PM would have a football soul mate.

The only thing I wonder---is what Kurt Warner would tell him. Warner recently was critical of how the Cardinals have let go of key players---and Warner said he "lost the fun of the game" in his last year...and there may be well more to that than just his injury concerns. I think Warner would paint both sides---and that he would talk up Fitz big-time to Peyton---but I wonder if he would offer Peyton enough of a positive and persuasive endorsement.

Some might say---who cares about what Warner might have to say---but, there is no doubt in my mind that if PM was ever seriously considering signing with the Cardinals, that Kurt Warner would be one of the first calls he would make.

The closest team in the running here to being a Super Bowl champion?

The New York Jets.

The decision might be a simple as that...regardless of geography and other logistics.

The Cardinals once lost another Super Bowl MVP QB to the New York Jets.

Can you name him?

Broadway Joe

Good analysis Mitch

Dr. Jones · February 23rd, 2012, 01:02 PM

Nice list Mitch,

I actually contend that not being a "Splashy place" is a plus rather than a minus.

And I am a big believer in the "we can guarantee you 9 games a year in a dome" strategy.

82CardsGrad · February 23rd, 2012, 01:02 PM

Regarding the Warner concern... As I see it, Manning isn't looking for a team where he can build a long-term career. He only has another 2-3 years of quality football life left. I think Warner would be very candid and would say that in that context, the Cards offer the best possible chance for success within that window.

That said, Manning is a football purist and historian. I am sure he loves the rich history of franchises like Miami and Washington. Not sure how much that would really influence at the end of the day as both of the those teams present massive issues over the short term. Who knows... we still aren't 100% certain that he can actually throw a football at the NFL level...

Buckybird · February 23rd, 2012, 01:04 PM

How about this wacky idea?

Get on the phones ASAP because a deadline is fast approaching. Trade Kolb & this years #13 for the #1 pick. Also:

1) throw in 2013's #1 & #2

2) 2014's #2

3) 2015's #1

4) 2016's #2

Cards get Andrew Luck

Colts get Kolb, three #1's & three #2's

Would you do it? I'm in!!! I think he's darn well worth it & Cards fans could see Lombardis being hoisted by our Big Red

Mitch · February 23rd, 2012, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckybird

How about this wacky idea?

Get on the phones ASAP because a deadline is fast approaching. Trade Kolb & this years #13 for the #1 pick. Also:

1) throw in 2013's #1 & #2

2) 2014's #2

3) 2015's #1

4) 2016's #2

Cards get Andrew Luck

Colts get Kolb, three #1's & three #2's

Would you do it? I'm in!!! I think he's darn well worth it & Cards fans could see Lombardis being hoisted by our Big Red

As long as the Colts throw in their 5th round picks in 2012, 2014 and 2016...I'm all for it!

Another thought just occurred to me---let's hope Peyton doesn't give fellow Miami resident and ex-teammate Edgerrin James a call! Seriously!

Mitch · February 23rd, 2012, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Jones

Nice list Mitch,

I actually contend that not being a "Splashy place" is a plus rather than a minus.

And I am a big believer in the "we can guarantee you 9 games a year in a dome" strategy.

I agree about the splashy place for Peyton---as long as he has his playbook at home and his DirecTV he's all set. I just wonder about his wife and family.

Mitch · February 23rd, 2012, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckybird

Broadway Joe

Good analysis Mitch

Imagine that! Great call, Bucky!

Have you seen HBO's "Namath"?

Wow---it's a stunning bio, for sure. Sad and sweet---and sweet and sad.

Mitch · February 23rd, 2012, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 82CardsGrad

Regarding the Warner concern... As I see it, Manning isn't looking for a team where he can build a long-term career. He only has another 2-3 years of quality football life left. I think Warner would be very candid and would say that in that context, the Cards offer the best possible chance for success within that window.

That said, Manning is a football purist and historian. I am sure he loves the rich history of franchises like Miami and Washington. Not sure how much that would really influence at the end of the day as both of the those teams present massive issues over the short term. Who knows... we still aren't 100% certain that he can actually throw a football at the NFL level...

What a great post, 82.

I just don't see how Arizona would be the "best possible chance" or that Warner would concede that---

But in an ideal world, in terms of history, one has to wonder if Peyton's ideal odyssey would be to lead New Orleans back to the Lombardi.

Buckybird · February 23rd, 2012, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch

As long as the Colts throw in their 5th round picks in 2012, 2014 and 2016...I'm all for it!

Another thought just occurred to me---let's hope Peyton doesn't give fellow Miami resident and ex-teammate Edgerrin James a call! Seriously!

Can't see even the remote possibility of #32's return given the way he exited SB 43, even if Manning wanted him.

I'm still serious about the Luck trade...we would be stupid not to test the waters. Talk about big brass balls...but Graves wouldn't even nibble.

Buckybird · February 23rd, 2012, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch

Imagine that! Great call, Bucky!

Have you seen HBO's "Namath"?

Wow---it's a stunning bio, for sure. Sad and sweet---and sweet and sad.

awesome show, seen it the first Saturday it came out. Hard to imagine the Cards being outbid for someones services isn't it? Lol

82CardsGrad · February 23rd, 2012, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch

What a great post, 82.

I just don't see how Arizona would be the "best possible chance" or that Warner would concede that---

But in an ideal world, in terms of history, one has to wonder if Peyton's ideal odyssey would be to lead New Orleans back to the Lombardi.

Mitch - why wouldn't Warner endorse the Cards as the "best possible chance" over the next 2-3 years?? Of the teams you listed, can you seriously conclude that any of those teams offer a better chance than the Cards?? C'mon man...

As for New Orleans - sure, that's a great script for Hollywood, but Brees isn't going anywhere.

And lastly, I still contend that Manning will end up in Miami. If for no other reason than that is where the NFL would LOVE for him to play. Going up against Brady and the Jets twice a year. Playing back in Indy on a routine basis as well... the marketing and media craze is simply too compelling.

Mitch · February 23rd, 2012, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckybird

Can't see even the remote possibility of #32's return given the way he exited SB 43, even if Manning wanted him.

I'm still serious about the Luck trade...we would be stupid not to test the waters. Talk about big brass balls...but Graves wouldn't even nibble.

Bucky---I wasn't talking about bringing Edgerrin back---I was talking about asking him for his thoughts on the Cardinals' organization---and I think we all know what he would say.

az jam · February 23rd, 2012, 01:35 PM

Miami is the favorite. Peyton and his wife love the city. He plays golf with Marino in the off season. Their new coach Phippin is offensive minded (qb friendly). Playing in the AFC East would not be any big deal. The Jets are a mess. Everyone is getting tired of big mouth Rex. The Bills are not very good. The Pats are solid but Peyton could pick apart their defense. The Dolphins are just a good qb way from being a playoff team. Their owner would be willing to pay for him.

I know we can make a case for many teams. I would love to see him here but I think Miami will go after him in a big way.

Mitch · February 23rd, 2012, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 82CardsGrad

Mitch - why wouldn't Warner endorse the Cards as the "best possible chance" over the next 2-3 years?? Of the teams you listed, can you seriously conclude that any of those teams offer a better chance than the Cards?? C'mon man...

As for New Orleans - sure, that's a great script for Hollywood, but Brees isn't going anywhere.

And lastly, I still contend that Manning will end up in Miami. If for no other reason than that is where the NFL would LOVE for him to play. Going up against Brady and the Jets twice a year. Playing back in Indy on a routine basis as well... the marketing and media craze is simply too compelling.

Because---and I have no way of proving this 82---so it is speculation on my part---but based on some things Warner has said about the organization and how ridiculous his contract situation was---and how he lost the love for the game in Arizona---that AND---a shabby o-line and a highly dubious FO structure---I can't imagine that Warner would think that AZ is THE best possible place for Peyton.

As for your Miami argument---I think it's compelling---I just wonder of they have enough of the pieces to allure Peyton there. I think the Jets have many more of the pieces than the Dolphins do at this time.