I hope we're just all saying Tennessee because it's the worst outcome for the Texans and we're negative Houston, not because they're actually the frontrunners. Please god not Tennessee...
Looks like Miami and Arizona are done. Denver will probably ship Tebow to Miami if they land Manning. That would actually be a good fit.
Albert Breer reporting the Broncos plane is headed to Raleigh, while the Titans plane is still sitting in Houston. SPLASH.
Peyton Manning working out for the Broncos. Now we're cooking with gas. Finally some real reps in an audition situation.
Except there are several things to worry about They are arguably more prepared to compete Played at UTenn Can stick it to Colts twice No drama over replacing Jesus
On the flip side. Broncos have the NFL's best rushing attack (QB's best friend) Broncos need help more at QB (No Locker waiting to push him into early retirement) Elway > Adams Playing at UT means pressure for Manning (Just as much pressure as replacing Tebow) Doesn't have to worry about playing Colts (Who said he wants to 'stick it' to them?) Easier division to win (Already joining a division winner, Raiders+Chiefs = turds)
Need some BBS lawyers to kick this can around. Isn't Bud Adams offering Peyton a job beyond QBing kind of illegally skirting the salary cap? What's to say we couldn't have offered Mario a "job for life" in some other non-player capacity with the Texans to avoid the salary cap?
I can't believe the Broncos would dump Tebow. The kid can be awful, and usually is, but the potential is clearly there. Manning gives you a couple of years, maybe, and Tebow could be an impact player for the next decade. Yes, I know that Manning on a bad day is still better than Tebow on his best, but still, the age, the neck, and the fact that Tebow is the most popular figure in American sports. Wow, just wow.
I'm not so sure about the Broncos' running attack. They benefitted from having the Tebow running threat out there. Assuming last year was a fluke due to missing training camp, I think a Chris Johnson-led running attack when defenders can't stack the box would be better than the Broncos' attack. On the Colts, I think some of it depends on his true feelings towards them - does he still like them or does he want to stick it to them? For Tennessee, I don't know if he has the love of TN that everyone suggests. He was there for 4 years, but it's not like he grew up there - so he doesn't have the same connection to it that you picture with a guy like Vince to TX or Tebow to FL. I think the biggest thing is your last point - you just have to go 10-6 and you're comfortably in the playoffs in that wretched division. That's got to be a huge selling point.
Absolutely their total numbers benefited from having Tebow running, but you don't have the #1 rushing offense in the NFL by accident. They can run the ball, with or without Timmay. McGahee was 8th in total rushing and Moreno (injured yes, but dude can produce when healthy) averaged almost 5 yards a carry. I have to think Peyton knows he could exploit that running game quite a bit more easily than the Titans. CJ1K will have a bounceback year, but it won't be enough to close the gap between 1st and 31st. Denver wins that contest hands down, even if Manning goes to the Titans. I think the most important factor is going to be his relationship with Fox-Elway, as opposed to Adams-Munch. And you're right, the Tennessee connection, to me, seems irrelevant.
I think choosing Denver was the right choice. I wish Peyton Manning well when he isn't playing the Texans.
What if Peyton does go to Denver, but gets beaten out by Tebow for the starting spot. Would Moes have to kill himself? At the very least he'd have to go to church every Sunday.
The NFL or the Networks or Nike might need to step in and either get Tebow traded or tell Peyton to sign somewhere else. Tebow is most popular player in NFL and provides rating which neither Brady or Peyton can.
Last time I checked Brady and Peyton are the two most endorsed athletes in the NFL (10 and 15 million each, respectively). I'm sure the TV ratings for their games aren't bad either. If Manning goes to Denver, Tebow will be shipped out shortly thereafter. Makes sense for all involved.
Chris Mortensen @mortreport [rQUOTEr]Filed to ESPN: Third team in Manning race that has emerged is 49ers - Manning worked out for Harbaugh & took physical this week #NFL32 So, barring a surprise, once Manning throws for Titans, it looks like Broncos, Titans & 49ers as finalists. He's NOT visited 49ers facility[/rQUOTEr]
That's interesting. Honestly, if he goes to the 49ers, that's a dangerous team. They just need a WR or two.