The end of an era....

[Pastor Chris F]

He was in Oklahoma the other day chatting with John Elway about going to Denver. Elway was in town for OSU players in the draft and they met at the airport and flew to Denver for dinner.

[Bonnie]

Originally Posted by J.B.

His career isn't over yet. Unlike Favre, it was never an issue of Peyton not knowing if he wanted to retire or not. He always felt like he would be able to return after the surgeries, and he has been working hard the entire time to rehab so that he could return.

What it ultimately boiled down to was a very unique set of circumstances in which this is the best move for both Manning and the Colts. Sure, Manning is one of the best QB's of all time, but nobody really suspected going into last year that the Colts would go 1-15 and end up with the first pick in the draft. This year's top prospect, Andrew Luck, is considered by many to be one of the best QB prospects of the last 20 or 30 years. Not to mention, Robert Griffin III has also exploded into the number 2 spot after his Heisman winning year with Baylor. So, just like 14 years ago when Jim Irsay had to choose between Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf (the biggest bust in NFL history), he is faced with the same choice.

Sure, they could have kept Peyton, gave him the 28 million dollar bonus, and then traded the top pick, but that's not smart for the long term of the Colts. Peyton Manning is 36 years old, and coming off missing an entire season of football. Yes he is one of the best ever, and I do believe that he will be able to play great even after the long layoff, but the Colts team only managed to win ONE game last season. That means there are a LOT of problems that need to be fixed, and they probably wont all be fixed in the last 2 or 3 years of Peyton's career. For the Colts, they look at it just like they did when they drafted Peyton 14 years ago. They take Andrew Luck now, and in a few years they will be right back in the mix of contending for a Super Bowl. Now, that's not to say it's exactly how it will work out...but that's the logic.

For Peyton, he gets to basically have his choice of where he wants to finish his career, and can go to a team that is more likely to have the right pieces in place to win right away so that he can try to get another ring, or at least finish out his career respectably.

Was that $28 million bonus an unusual thing to have in a contract especially for a player (no matter how good) who is as old as Peyton is, for a player in his twilight years?

And, do you think Arizona has all the "right pieces" to lure Peyton?

[J.B.]

Originally Posted by Bonnie

Was that $28 million bonus an unusual thing to have in a contract especially for a player (no matter how good) who is as old as Peyton is, for a player in his twilight years?

And, do you think Arizona has all the "right pieces" to lure Peyton?

It's not unusual for players to have bonuses, but 28 million would have been the largest lump sum of cash ever paid to an NFL player. However, that was exactly what Jim Irsay said he wanted when he resigned Peyton not long ago. Irsay said he wanted to make Peyton the highest paid player in the NFL, and he did.

According to ESPN and KTAR here in Phoenix, Manning is meeting with the Cardinals brass and Larry Fitzgerald as I am typing this. There are also reports that Manning has narrowed it down to either Denver or Arizona and that he is leaning towards Denver. Obviously, I think the Cardinals have a great up-and-coming squad that could be put over the top by a QB like Peyton, but one of our setbacks is our offensive line and the fact that we are in the NFC. Denver was closer to the Super Bowl than we were last season, and they sit in a much more wide open division, and conference, than the Cardinals. I think staying in the AFC could ultimately be what it boils down to for Peyton because it's the conference he knows better, and because he would be less likely to have to directly compete with his brother Eli (unless they both make it to the Super Bowl).

[J.B.]

Another point about the 28 million dollar bonus...

If anybody deserves that kind of money it's Peyton Manning. Over the last 14 years, Manning increased the value of the Colts franchise by over 233 million dollars. Far and away, that is more than any other single player has done for an NFL franchise in history.

This is according to Forbes...http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozan...y-233-million/

When Manning was drafted by the Colts in 1998 the team was worth $227 million, last among the league’s 30 teams and $47 million below the NFL median team value. The Colts are currently worth $1.1 billion, 11th among the league’s 32 teams and $64 million above the NFL median. While the typical NFL team increased 263% in value during Manning’s 14 years at Indianapolis, the value of the Colts rose 366%.

No matter where Manning ends up, it's not only big for that NFL team, but it's big for the city in many ways. The value of sponsorships are likely to rise considerably, and it can also effect the landscape for teams in other sports. The Phoenix Suns released a statement on their website pleading for Manning to come here, because they know that if Peyton chooses Phoenix it will potentially make the city look like a more desirable location to other free agents in the future. Not to mention the other great things Manning brings to the table for a city in terms of charitable causes.

[J.B.]

Peyton spent over 6 hours meeting with the Cardinals today and was seen leaving the facility in an SUV driven by Coach Wisenhunt and followed by owner Michael Bidwill. Peyton is supposedly flying back to his home in Miami tonight.

Not going to get my hopes up to high just yet, but local reporter John Gambodoro for 620 KTAR in Phoenix posted these tweets earlier today...

No details boys and girls just had a good nfl source saying Peyton to Arizona based on conference call today I'm awaiting more info

Just got off phone so in nutshell I'm hearing that unless bidwill screws this up peyton should be a card. Nothing done yet!! but promising

[Bonnie]

Keeping my fingers crossed that y'all get him JB!

Tebow must be sweating this out until Peyton makes a final decision!

[Pastor Chris F]

Originally Posted by Bonnie

Keeping my fingers crossed that y'all get him JB!

Tebow must be sweating this out until Peyton makes a final decision!

Tebow is grounded enough to know this would be great for them both. I think Peyton would do more in Arizona than for Denver unless the Broncos improve some area with the draft or some trades. But like JB said he really wants to stay in the AFC and does not want to kick Eli out of a chance by whooping him.

[rockdawg21]

Still sayin', we can easily afford him and still have money around to buy anybody else he wants us to bring with him.

The only problem is that Kansas City sucks, the only thing we can offer him is the world's best BBQ and a few casinos

[J.B.]

FOOOOTBALLLLLLL COPPPPSSS...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-znHzHafMlQ

Peyton, please come to AZ!

[rearnakedchoke]

Originally Posted by rockdawg21

Here he comes!!!