Dolphins, Broncos, Cardinals are the 3 finalists for Manning

Mar. 09 Breaking News 7 comments ---Bill

Finally Dolphins fans, we have a timeline for when Peyton Manning will make his decision.  According to the Denver Post, Peyton Manning will make a new decision on his next team by Tuesday.  Manning will meet with the Broncos in Denver on Friday.  It’s thought that he will then travel to Arizona to meet with the Cardinals on Saturday or Sunday.  After those 2 meetings, Manning will return to Miami and meet with the Dolphins.  According to Jeff Darlington of the NFL Network, the Dolphins are confident they will meet with Manning later on this weekend, but do not have a date or time set up.  Manning will then take Monday/Tuesday to mull over his decision and will reportedly be ready to sign a contract by Tuesday/Wednesday.  Thankfully,  this roller-coaster will not be going on much longer.  AND, fans in every other NFL city can move on with their regularly scheduled offseason.

Earlier this afternoon on Twitter, John Clayton said that the Broncos are a serious contender in this sweepstakes, but that the Dolphins are still the favorites.  Meanwhile, Adam Schefter suggested that while Manning is visiting Denver first, it does not make them the ‘leader in the clubhouse’.  All of this news comes only hours after cold water was thrown onto the Dolphins chances, when it was suggested that Manning is a small town guy and that the news helicopter chase on Wednesday soured his opinion of Miami.  I still contend that it’s nonsense.

In reality, it’s probably a good thing that Manning is visiting the Dolphins last.  Although, it would have been best if he never left South Florida in the first place….But we knew he would make a rounds with other teams at some point, right?  Remember when Jeff Fisher met with the Dolphins first in January?  He essentially used the Dolphins as leverage to create a bigger contract with the Rams.  Could Manning be visiting Denver (where Tebowmania reigns) and Arizona (an NFC team) to drive up Stephen Ross’ price?  It’s not the craziest idea in the world.

Coincidentally, the NFL free agency period starts on Tuesday at 4pm.  So, in theory, Peyton Manning could be signed by his new team before free agency opens.  This is especially of interest to the Dolphins.  If the Dolphins miss out on Manning, they would be able to quickly shift focus and begin recruiting Matt Flynn, if they choose to.  As usual….stay tuned!!

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  • Dave

    Espn reported that for various reasons Coach Harbaugh, and Fisher of course did not take the job. Why? Same reasons could hinder Peyton, or for that matter any other high profile player? Is it r great GM that wants to much control?

  • Otto

    Right now Peyton Manning is like a certified used car in a “certified used car” program…where the dealership is certifying the used car. All I say to Dolphin’s front office is “BUYER BEWARE”! If the Dolphins sign Mr. Manning they better be prepared to upgrade the offensive line to a degree that will inhibit their ability to address the other areas where the Dolphins need help. The Dolphins have a serviceable QB and should be looking to the future and draft Ryan Tannenhill.

  • Dave

    just do not use r first pk on a QB if we don’t get manning

  • Tommy Boy

    Stick with Matt Moore. Peyton is history! Build with what weve got, and let the other teams waste money and picks. Clip Jeff Irelands wings.

  • phinfan4sure

    I still think there is no better option than Petting Manning. If Ryan Tannenhill was that good don’t you think our new Offensive Coordinator would have been singing his praises? After all Mike Sherman was his college coach. We can’t trade up to the 2nd pick as Washington did that and look what they had to give up this year’s, next year’s and the 2014 1st round pick. I’m glad the dolphin’s didn’t do that. We can get another Qb to groom in the 2nd round maybe Weeden or Cousins. We can draft Reily Reiff and stick him at right Tackle or get Quinton Coples to play DE opposite Wake. And we will work out fine. With Petting we will also get Reggie Wayne and possibly Dallas Clarke. What’s wrong with that scenario?

    • FinFan

      @phinfan4sure There is no way the Dolphins cap room would permit them to sign Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne AND Dallas Clark. Thats Ridiculous. If the Dolphins do in fact sign Peyton Manning even Reggie Wayne would have to take a pay cut. Unless you want to be too broke to sign our first round draft pick

  • phinfan4sure

    @Finfan, hey we can only speculate right? Reggie Wayne said he wants to play with Peyton so would he possibly entertain getting a pay cut, who knows? As for Dallas, he would have to take a pay cut as well. Its simply business. We don’t know how much Peyton would demand, as I don’t think he should get more than a 2 year contract. If he wanted more than 15 million for those two years then we’re better off with Moore. But all of this moot until we know what’s up Peyton’s sleeve.