In a stunning development, the 49ers have emerged as the rumored sleeper team in the Manning Sweepstakes. After a deal was on the table for Alex Smith, the 49ers have forged ahead as a real possible landing spot for another future Hall of Famer in Peyton Manning.

Manning, for so many reasons should choose the 49ers. They've just brought in a Hall of Fame lock at wide receiver in Randy Moss, and we all witnessed the aerial destruction Moss put on with Tom Brady in his year with New England. They've also never had a run game even close to what the 49ers have already.

Vernon Davis plays out of his mind, and beyond what most tight ends in the league are capable of. And Michael Crabtree may once and for all, finally break 1,000 receiving yards in a season with Manning's ability to put the ball where his receiver can make a play after the catch.

The offensive hands on approach that Jim Harbaugh has may irk Manning, but it would be the only thing. I assume Harbaugh would allow him similar freedoms he had in Indianapolis but I still believe Harbaugh would gameplan just the same. If anything, he could get more creative and do things with Manning he wasn't able to do with Smith.

But the 49ers are reportedly offering him a deal close to the other competing teams, Denver and Tennessee. This was something on Twitter, so I'm not quite sure how credible it is, but it was something worth remembering. The 49ers also host the New York Giants in 2012, which is something else worth noting. Peyton Manning would have a chance to play Eli at least once, and having it not be in the NFC East, Manning could put a beat down on baby brother and not worry that it ruined his Super Bowl chances.

It's a very exciting development, and we look forward to seeing how this progresses. Niners Nation will continute to bring you the updates.

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