Peyton Manning to Denver? Really?!?

About a month ago, I was talking to one of my friends about the whole Peyton Manning scenario. My friend, a Giants fan, said that it just seems inevitable that when the Colts part ways with Manning, the Dolphins or Redskins will swoop him and grab him, with the Jets as the third team in the mix. I agreed completely and then we started to look at all the other options on the table for Peyton. We talked about how any team without a legitimate franchise QB (Giants, Packers, Saints, Patriots, Steelers, Chargers) should at least bring Manning's name up as a possibility for their franchise. Obviously, teams with established quarterbacks like Dallas, Philly, the Panthers, and Bengals probably would take their names out of the mix, but every other team should at least have the conversation amongst their front office and coaching staff about adding Manning to their team. At one point, my friend asked me, "What would you think if Denver made a serious run at Manning?" My response: "If he is healthy, how could I not want to see Manning come to Denver?" From that point, I knew that it was just inevitable: If Manning became a free agent, Denver would at least put in a call to see if he was interested.

On Wednesday, Manning and the Colts decided to part ways, thus allowing Manning to become a free agent, and within a few hours reports had surfaced that the Broncos had made a call to express interest in him. The other teams that were reported as highly interested included the usual suspects when it comes to Manning's next home. Seattle, Arizona, Washington, the Jets, and Miami have all been reported as teams that are on Manning's tail. The fact that the Broncos are interested should not come as a surprise. Think about it: Tim Tebow deserves to be the Broncos starting QB in 2012. They are not going to be able to draft Andrew Luck, they don't have the ammunition to trade up for Robert Griffin III, and the other free agent names out there (Chad Henne, Jason Campbell, Josh Johnson etc..) aren't exactly going to bring the Broncos a Super Bowl berth. Tebow should be the starter in 2012, but who is the one name that can come in and completely change that fact? The answer is none other than Peyton Manning.

Even if you are the biggest Tebow fan, and I am a huge Tebow supporter, there is no denying that Peyton Manning would give the Broncos the best chance to win a Super Bowl in 2012. He is the only name that could come in, and quiet the Tebowmaniacs and put a hold on Tebow Time in Denver next season. No one else should get that chance to unseat Tebow in Denver next year, but Peyton Manning could trump all of them. He is the one name that the fanbase could accept taking Tebow's spot. There would be no unrest in the streets in Denver, only joy.

Now, there are a lot of dots to connect before Manning to Denver can become a reality. If Manning is not certain that he can be healthy and play to his usual ability, then the Broncos should not consider it, but if Manning is healthy and there are indications that he will be, then the Broncos have to at least see if he is interested. The Broncos were an 8-8 team that made the playoffs and upset the Steelers in the Wildcard Round. If Manning was added to the Broncos, they would instantly win 12 games and become a favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl next year. He would elevate the play of that entire offense, and at 36, he might be able to give the Broncos a legitimate chance to win the Super Bowl for the next three years. He is that damn good.The NFL is a win now league. Yes, I know you have to worry and plan for the future of your franchise, but the bottom line is that Manning would be a direct line to the Super Bowl and at the end of the day, that is the main goal for every team. It is about winning the Super Bowl that season. To me, it is not a knock on Tebow, but how many times do you get a chance to have Peyton Manning quarterback your team? It is a no brainer as long as #18 is healthy. I don't even think Tim Tebow would handle the move like Jay Cutler did a few years ago when his name came up in trade talks. How could Tebow? Remember this is Peyton Manning we are talking about here. He is one of the five greatest QBs in the history the league. He is worth like five wins to your team's record from last year automatically.

The odds of Denver landing Manning are not the best. I'm sure that Pat Bowlen is not hurting for cash, but it might be hard to go toe to toe with the likes of Stephen Ross and Dan Snyder. Maybe the lure of New York will get Peyton to go to the Jets. Maybe the talent in Arizona draws him there. Perhaps a team on the cusp like San Francisco or Houston or Baltimore says, "Fuck it! Let's go for it and get him," and he decides to go to one of those contenders. The Broncos will be considered an outside shot, but the fact that they are in the mix is not surprising. Peyton Manning in Denver? If you thought Tim Tebow sold a lot of jerseys in the Mile High city, wait to see what happens if the Broncos are shopping Manning's jersey. At the end of the day, I don't think the Broncos will end up with Manning, and if that is the case, then I am fine with that. I love Tebow, and I think he can be the long-term answer in Denver, but to just sit back and think about Manning in Bronco Orange is pretty damn enticing. Like I said before why not right?