Peyton Manning Rumors: Are Seahawks A Favorite?

by David Fucillo on Feb 20, 2012 6:00 AM PST in NFC West

NFL free agency is approximately three ways away, but we are also just a little bit closer to eventually figuring out the fate of Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning. While free agency gets going on March 13, the Colts have until March 8 to decide whether or not they will exercise a $28 million option bonus on Manning. He is coming off numerous surgeries and the Colts are looking at Andrew Luck with the number one overall pick. Suffice to say there are some issues to resolve.

Over at National Football Post, Dan Pompei wrote that some of the buzz around the league is that the Seattle Seahawks could be the front-runner for Manning if he is released. Nobody has legally been allowed to talk to Manning, so for now it is likely based as much on the current situation in Seattle and the assumption that they would in fact be interested in Manning if he was available:

Pete Carroll needs a quarterback and is believed to have a strong interest in at least exploring Manning ... They have a young team with some fine skill players to put around him. They play in one of the league's loudest stadiums. Manning wouldn't be subject to the same kind of scrutiny in Seattle that he would in a lot of other markets. The Seahawks also could have a better feel for Manning's medical situation than some teams. One of their team physicians, Stan Herring, who also is one of the country's preeminent specialists for spine injuries. Herring is a member of the NFL's Head, Neck and Spine Committee.

I don't think the market scrutiny is really a big issue. Given how the NFL operates at this point, the scrutiny surrounding Manning will be high no matter where he ends up. Seattle may not be a New York or Boston type of market, but they have plenty of diehards and the national media would still scrutinize him plenty.

If the Seahawks were to add Manning, they could take a significant step forward in 2012, assuming Manning is healthy and gets his arm strength back. They have health question marks with guys like Sidney Rice, but there is some very solid talent on that time, pending free agency.

If the Seahawks were to sign Peyton Manning, what does that mean in terms of NFC West competition?

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Pete Carroll would find some way to screw the pooch

so I’m not too worried….Manning should go to Miami, the NFL would love to see the Brady vs. Manning matchup twice in one season

by sanfranfanmdk on Feb 20, 2012 7:23 AM PST reply actions

No Way

Seahawks would want him off course cause they got nothing but can’t see him going to that media outpost.

Redskins or Dolphins with the Titans being a longshot.

"It's impossible to hide the fire inside" - Bob Seger

by Jaxson876 on Feb 20, 2012 8:27 AM PST reply actions

I hate to say this but,

My gut feeling is that if Manning goes there, it will be just like when our beloved Jerry Rice did. Just a nice place to play the final games of your career.

by Leoniner on Feb 20, 2012 8:55 AM PST via mobile reply actions

Great....I hope the Hawks get Manning

the guy is what 36-38 years old coming off major neck surgery.

I hate to say it, but Peyton is possibly one good hit away from really leaving the game.

Even if he stays healthy….the guy is close to 40 years old, come on!

by BigMar on Feb 20, 2012 8:55 AM PST reply actions

The problem with Peyton

Is that he is a guy you build your entire team around — not just the talent, but your complete offensive and defensive philosophy.

You plug and play him into your own system without giving him free hand to change what he wants and it’s going to be a frustrating experience. You might have some success, but you’re also going to be seeing alot of that hurt little whiny face when things don’t go his way.

Every time Jamie Dukes says something enlightening and informative about football Jerry Rice and I mount up on our flying grizzly bears and claim pirate treasure from the moon. That's how often it happens.

by Ougadas on Feb 20, 2012 9:12 AM PST reply actions

Peyton Is The One Guy.....I Dont Want To See In The NFC West

IF he is healthy, he will tear the conference up. He is one of the greatest ever, and don’t think he can’t deliver for any team he chooses. I still remember the Joe Montana Chiefs embarrassing the 49ers.

Agent Dunham....Walternate testified that in his universe, AleX Smith is a pro-bowl QB for the Saints, and broke Trent Dilfer's season record of 6000 yards passing. Walter....Thats nice, more LSD please.

by scrappydog on Feb 20, 2012 9:47 AM PST reply actions

This.

its a big IF but if he is indeed healthy for an entire season then Seattle would make me a little nervous as contenders for the division next year. They already have a pretty good defense and some weapons on offense.

by KGboomer on Feb 20, 2012 9:49 AM PST up reply actions

Agree

49ers don’t have a monopoly on sudden turnarounds so we shouldn’t be cocky and think the other NFC West teams are going to continue to suck. Peyton to the ’Hawks would be huge for them and bad for the 49ers.

"The principle is competing against yourself. It's about self improvement, about being better than you were the day before." ~Steve Young #8

by Young_To_Rice on Feb 20, 2012 11:35 AM PST up reply actions

Sidney Rice, Zach Miller, Peyton Manning???

Another quality pickup by the Hawks??

by niners83 on Feb 20, 2012 11:46 AM PST reply actions

This whole thread could end up being useless as he may not even play again...

We’ll see, I guess.

by tonedru on Feb 20, 2012 2:34 PM PST reply actions

I can't recall a situation

in any sport where so much was riding on one player that may/may not even be able to physically play. Jordan’s actual physical ability was never a question when he un-retired (twice) and Favre just milked his injuries for the attention. But with Peyton there’s a serious question as to whether or not he can throw the ball with any velocity.

by throwthedamnball on Feb 20, 2012 4:35 PM PST up reply actions

He still has several months in his rehab program

He may or may not get back to 100% (Or possibly even stronger than before) but he’ll get back to 90-95%

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 20, 2012 6:01 PM PST up reply actions

Reports are out there his ARM looks impressive, after the bogus noodles ARM reports, he’s been physically able to take hits for months now. X Colt Haden had the same surgeries years ago, and still playing with no issues.

Gonna make the WR position relevant again? When?

by rlott#42 on Feb 20, 2012 11:48 PM PST up reply actions