Sweepstakes

by Phil Callimanis

Peyton Manning has been the subject to many rumors pertaining to which team he will play for in 2012. Due to the neck injury of Peyton Manning, he was sidelined for all of the 2011-2012 season. Manning was the “glue” that held the Colts together; without him they were a 2-14 team, claiming the #1 pick in the upcoming draft. That pick is going to be Andrew Luck barring some life threatening condition to Luck. Luck is the most highly anticipated college quarterback since…Peyton Manning. Should Luck be drafted 1^st overall by the Colts, which he will be, he will start from day one. Manning will have no spot and would be relegated to the bench.

The three teams most interested in Peyton Manning include the: Redskins, Dolphins, and the Cardinals.

The Dolphins seem like a very likely destination due to the warm weather of Miami along with their desperate need for good quarterback play. Miami has a star wide receiver in Brandon Marshall and a very good offensive led by perennial pro bowl left tackle Jake Long.

The Redskins are also in dire need of a quarterback, though I see them as the most unlikely option due to the cold weather during the long winter. The Redskins also don’t have good enough offensive options to help Manning.

The Cardinals thought they solved their issues at quarterback with the Kevin Kolb acquisition last offseason, he spent have the season on the sidelines with a concussion and turf toe. Arizona is an attractive option because of the warm weather and their retractable roof (Manning had one in Indy). It also doesn’t hurt that they have Larry Fitzgerald.

To me, Miami is the best destination because of their need and their weapons to offer Manning. I believe that Kolb will be sufficient for the Cardinals, and will therefore take them out of the Manning sweepstakes.