5 Most Likely Destinations For Peyton Manning

1. Arizona Cardinals- Arizona seems to make the most sense for Peyton Manning in all area's. He would team up with arguably the best wideout in the game Larry Fitzgerald. He would play in a weak NFC West division, with only the 49er's as a real threat to compete for the division crown. Cardinals have a solid defense with leader Darnell Dockett tweeting for Peyton to come to Arizona. Tweets saying he could use his barber and even his front row parking spot. The only concern for Peyton would be the offensive line which gave up a league leading 54 sacks last season. Watch to see what the Cardinals do with QB Kevin Kolb who is due a seven million $ bonus in the next two weeks. Expectations are for him to be released,which would clear the way for Peyton.
2. Denver Broncos- Peyton to Denver would cause quit the media stir, Putting a hold on the Tebow mania. The Broncos are the best team in the running for Peyton. A Playoff team last year with a top 5 defense and a great offensive line.  though they gave up 42 sacks last season, about half of them were due to Tim Tebow running all over the field and holding the ball to long. Broncos had the number one rushing game last season (164.5) yards a game. A weak wide receiving roster might hurt there chances, but there are plenty of receivers in free agency. Including former teammates Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon, who could help ease the transition for Manning. Remember any team that signs Manning is going to be running his offense that he ran with the Colts.
3. Miami Dolphins- The Dolphins are dark horse to sign Manning, he owns a house in Florida, where he spends most of his time in the offseason. They have a underrated big time wideout in Brandon Marshall.  Who has never played with a star quarterback of Manning's stature. A below average  Offensive line with star left tackle Jake Long just getting in his prime. A good running back tandem with Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas. Plus they have a top ten defense. The Dolphins will have the most money to offer Peyton so look to see if Peyton keeps them in the running, just to drive up the money with other teams.
4. Kansas City Chiefs- Quarterback Matt Cassel seems to be out the door with the Chiefs. They have a multitude of offensive weapons starting with number one wideout Dwayne Bowe and returning from injury's, young potential stars in running back Jamal Charles and tight end Tony Moeaki. GM Scott Pioli run's his team like his former employers the Patriots. He would Rather build thru the draft and not overpay for free agents which could be the case with Manning. Money will not be the issue with Manning as he has plenty of it, but he still will be a highly priced player. The Chiefs are a up and coming team with lots of potential. But Manning only has a good 3 to 4 years left and may want to go somewhere with more vets and players that are proven, rather then taking a risk with potentially a good team.
5. Seattle Seahawks-  If Peyton would to choose the Seahawks he would arguably play with the best running back in the teams in the hunt for Manning, Marshawn Lynch. The Seahawks had one of the best rushing games in the second half of the season last year. A deep wide receivers crew with Sidney Rice and Golden Tate and don't forgot the rumors going around that former Colt Reggie Wayne will follow Peyton where ever he goes. A do it all tight end in Zach Miller, a below average defense and Offense line will hurt the Seahawks.

Prediction 

With the Cardinals hiring of Manning former position coach Frank Reich to coach the receivers, and the fact the head coach Ken Whisenhut and Manning are regular golf buddies and have had a previous friendship. Manning must like the idea of teaming up with the beast Larry Fitzgerald.The Cardinals have a fantastic open-closed Stadium, a solid overall team, and playing in a weak NFC west division.  Rumors have been flying around that Manning would prefer a AFC team because he has spent his whole career there and is comfortable playing against those teams. The Broncos seem to be on top of the chase for Manning. Would he really want to go where Tim Tebow plays and have to deal with all the obnoxious questions about helping Tebow for the future. The NFL is a now league, players have no interest in helping another player one day take over there job. If Peyton goes there he's obviously  the number one guy. Peyton has never really had any competition behind him, lets say he has a bad game and all the Tebow homers come out of the wood works, does he really want to deal with Tebow mania every week? If he goes to Arizona he's the number one guy with no baggage behind him. Plus the allure of Larry Fitzgerald and playing in a warm climate in Phoenix seems to much to turn down.

Manning to Fitzgerald would be a deadly connection

NBA Mid Season Awards

MVP- LeBron James is having his best season on both ends of the floor this year. His player efficiency rating is 32.8, which if he keeps it up would be the highest single season mark in NBA history. James is relying less on his perimeter jump shot, and more on his drives to the basket. He also has added some nice post moves to his game this year, he's shooting a career best 39 % from three point range, but that number goes up because he's taking less of them. With out a doubt James is the best all around player in the league, should add a third MVP to his name by season end. Now if he can just show up in the 4th quarter of games in the playoffs.                                                                                                        

Coach Of The Year- Doug Collins has his 76ers on top of the atlantic division with a 20-14 record. A team with no real star, playing unselfish on offense , using a relentless motion offense that would have Jerry Sloan grinning. They win their games on the defensive end, allowing the fewest points per possession (87.5).(synegrysports.com) Collins With a deep roster and players willing to except lesser roles in today's me me NBA is impressive.  

Defensive Player Of The Year- Tyson Chandler single handedly has changed the Knicks defense from being one of the worst in the league last year, to a top ten team this year. Chandler is the quarterback of the defense, he's constantly fighting off picks and yelling instructions to teammates on where they need to be. He's averaging 9 rebounds per game and 1 block per game. But the number's don't tell the whole story, next time you sit down to watch Jeremy Lin, Carmelo, and Amare. Take a second and look at Tyson Chandler he's all over the floor using his body to cause all sorts of problems for teams. Tyson  has brought a tough like swagger to this Knick team, we haven't seen since Patrick Ewing.

Rookie Of The Year- Kyrie Irving has helped the Cleveland faithfull some what forgot about the Decision. He's averaging 18 points per game with 5 assist as well. The only franchise player in the 2011 draft has looked like it so far, only turning the ball over 3 times per game, already showing a leadership mentality, while making smart decisions with the ball in his hands, gives him the nob over Timberwolves Ricky Rubio who is a better passer but struggles shooting the ball. 

Sixth Man Of The Year- Lou Williams plays his role well, he hasn't started a game for the 76ers, but leads the team in scoring. Team best 15.9 points per game, he is the teams go to scorer and is always in the game at the end of close games. He's a great pick and roll guard with under appreciated passing skills. Main reason for him not starting is because they have young first round picks Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner, in which they are invested in their future and potential.               

Most Improved Player- Roy Hibbert came to Indiana 4 years ago out of shape, and virtually no offensive game. Standing at 7'2' and about 20 pounds lighter 260, he has gotten better every year. His points per game from his rookie year 7.1 to now 13.8 and rebounds per game from 3.4 to 9.6 a game is a big improvent. He has gone from just a catch and shoot post player, to having 2 to 3 post moves he uses regular. the knock before was you couldn't play him for long periods of time because of his conditioning. Unlike most players Roy came out of the lockout in the best shape of his life he said, and now plays 30 minutes a game. Jeremy Lin was in consideration but with only 3 weeks of significant playing time his body of work was to small.   

The 28 Million Dollar Question

Manning and Owner Jim Irsay sharing a moment before Super Bowl XLI

        How quickly things can change. Less then seven months ago, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was on the mount rushmore of quarterbacks playing in the NFL today. Beloved by his peers and fans with his funny commercials and Saturday night live skits. He has lead his team to two super bowls, winning the first in 2006 season against the Bears, and losing the second to the Saints in the 2009 season. He has been to the playoffs nine times in his thirteen years of starting at quarterback for the Colts.Which is rare in this era of football with free agency, causing teams to have different rosters ever year. He is a four time MVP, eleven time pro bowler. His career numbers are amazing, his quarterback rating is 94.9, thrown a completion percentage of 64.9. One touchdown away from throwing 400 total touchdowns, not counting playoffs (Nfl.com/player/peytonmanning.com). There is no doubt Peyton Manning is one of the best quarterbacks to ever put on a helmet.
        In July, owner Jim Irsay signed Peyton to a five year ninety million contract extension, guaranteeing Manning would retire has a Colt. He will be 39 years old at the end of the contract. Manning at the time was still recovering from a second neck surgery he had on May 23. But said recovery was ''going good, and would be ready for the season opener. Barring any major setbacks''. Well he had a setback in august and was questionable for the season opener. Manning missed all of the preseason and training camp. Then on September 7th Manning had a third neck surgery ending his season. The surgery he had is called a anterior fusion procedure, in which they had to remove soft disk tissue between the vertebrae. Then fusing the bones together using a graft. The main goal of the surgery according to (spine-health.com), is to ease pain or address a disk problem. A statement from Colts Management said ''rehabilitation from such surgery is an involved process, therefor there is no time table for Peyton's return''. He Missed the entire season, but was still paid his 23 million in salary and bonus they agreed too.
        Fast forwarding to February, the Colts finished the season (2-14) with the worst record in the league. This gives them the first pick in the draft in April. Peyton's absence was sorely missed without having the captain leading the ship. The offense never really got on it's feet playing three different quarterbacks all season. The Colts defense had always been a weak spot on the team, but they benefited with Manning being able to put up points fast in games and control the time of possession. Thus making the opposing team have to play catch up and pass the ball. Freeing up Pro Bowl defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, the one bright spot on the defensive side.
        Most draft experts have Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck as the best player in this year's draft. Analysts also have Luck being the best quarterback prospect, since John Elway was taken number one in the 1983 draft. The talk of Luck being taken by the colts started to really pick up after the season ended. Owner Jim Irsay fired General Manager Bill Polian and his son Chris Polian. Two weeks later They fired head coach Jim Caldwell, essentially cleaned house with firing most of the  coaches on the staff. They even dumped the athletic trainer and Manning's close friend Jim Torine who had been working with Peyton everyday. Peyton made comments after the firing saying ''I'm not in a very good place right now for healing'', he continued on saying ''Everybody's walking around on egg shells. I don't recognize are building right now, there's such complete and total change''. Referring to the new head coach Chuck Pagano and General Manager Jim Grigson.
       Peyton has been cleared by doctors to start throwing again, and reports surfaced that he was throwing the ball around with colts receiver's and even went and worked out at Duke, where his offensive coordinator at Tennessee is now the head coach. On February 12th Owner Jim Irsay tweeted  he watched Peyton throw and was pleased and even said discussion of Peyton's 28 million dollar  bonus which he is due on March 8th could be pushed back. Giving Peyton more time to get his arm strength back. The Colts if the deadline stays the same, have a buyout in Peyton's contract which allows them to cut him and not have to pay the rest of the contract. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on February 6th, that Manning would be willing to sign a contract if released by the Colts. That would be a small amount of salary in years, but would give him big bonus's if he is healthy and starts the season. He made no comment on whether or not he would be flexibly in doing that with the Colts.
       There seems to be this feeling that Manning is for sure done in Indianapolis, with the cleaning house of the coaching staff and management. And the uncommon comment's from both Irsay and Manning to the media. Irsay commented on Manning's comment's about the change of staff and management. Irsay replied with ''i think Peyton should keep those types of comments in house'', and said ''protecting the horse shoe(Colts Logo) was the most important thing. Irsay also said that he wouldn't rule out drafting Luck or even Heismen trophy Winner Robert Griffin. Manning told (indystar.com) that he wants to retire a Colt, but acknowledged ''that with all the changes around here i may be next. Who knows?''.
        Really only Jim Irsay knows. The Colts can keep Manning if they think he's healthy enough, and even take Luck and have him sit behind Manning for a couple of seasons. Or trade the pick and get multiple high draft picks for this and next years draft's. Or they can follow their trend and completely clean house, with new management and coaching staff. Plus a fresh face at quarterback. It's very rare for a star player to finish is career with one team, Joe Montana finished his career with the Chiefs, Joe  Namath with the LA Rams, heck even Brett Favre with the Vikings. But like the saying goes, ''only time will tell''.

          What to look for this Super Sunday

  

    1. It would be wise for both teams to run the ball to the left. Giants starting running back Ahmad Bradshaw who is playing in his second super bowl, the first came in his rookie season. Ahmad averages 5.4 yards per carry running to the left sideline and 3.7 up the left gaps. Patriots Benjarvus Green-Ellis say that five times fast, is averaging 4.8 yards per carry to the left sideline and a little under 4 yards (3.9) up the left gaps. Both teams play more to the pass, but having a decent running game would take some pressure off Manning and Brady.

    2. Getting pressure on Tom Brady is going to be huge for the Giants to be able to win this game. Expect the G-men to use a variety of rushing techniques. Numbers show that when teams blitz  DB's on Brady his quarterback rating sinks down to 51%, but blitzing another linebacker or extra linemen and his qbr stays around 80%. Where as his qbr with four rushers stays around 88%(NFL.com/Stats). Manning on the other hand excels when you bring a DB on a blitz his qbr is 68% and when you bring a line backer 71%.

    3. The Patriots have given up the most twenty yard plays this season eighty nine of them. Most teams throw outside the numbers near the sidelines. They have seventeen interceptions when you throw inside and only six outside. The secondary has also given up a total of  seventeen -thirty plus yard plays the worst in the NFL. So look to see if Manning plays by the numbers and if he goes for the long ball.

    4. There has been twelve super bowl rematches(nfl.com/stats), with the looser of the first game winning fifty eight percent of the time, or seven out of the twelve. So the numbers favor the patriots, maybe that's why Vegas has them winning.

    5. Both the G-men and the Pats are horrendous tackling team. With the Giants giving up one thousand seven hundred thirty two yards after the catch, sixteenth in the league. The patriots are giving up one thousand eight hundred seven eight yards after the catch, they were twenty-first in the league. no team has ever been to the super bowl giving up 293.9 a game as they did in the regular season. The Pats give up alot of yards but not touchdowns, teams averaged only 17.2 points a game. meaning its much harder for teams to figure out Coach Bill Belichick's defensive schemes once in the red zone.  (fftoday.com

Key Match-Ups

 

Julian Edlman Vs Giants Wideouts

Julian Edlman will be a very busy man on Sunday, with many different positions. Edlman returns punt's and kickoff's, his main position is wide receiver, where he spends most of the time in the slot. But in ten games this season he has helped a injury depleted Patriots secondary playing cornerback. Edlman hasn't played on defense since pop warner. In the AFC championship game he was targeted many times by the Ravens, noticed most on the last drive where Aquain Boldin used his size advantage to get open. Edlman says it's much more mental then anything (bostonglobe.com) saying'' You don't want to look silly out there.the NFL is higher learning you have class, you have to study, then your test comes on Sunday''. He admits''it's a lot of work''. Giants wide out Mario Manningham see's it as a opportunity to take advantage of Edlman. Almost mocking him saying ''did he get drafted as a defensive back? We have a bond going on knowing we can beat somebody''.  He also adds ''i hope he lines up against me''.

G-Men D-Line Vs Pats O-Line 

The Patriots have only allowed one sack on Tom Brady so far this postseason. They are anchored by Pro Bowler's Brain Waters and Logan Mankins. And long time Patriot Matt Light who has been with the team since their first super win against the Rams back in 2001. They will be getting some much needed help sunday with right tackle Sebastian Vollmer returning from a back and foot injury. Allowing them to have another experience starter in Nate Solider to rotate in. With Vollmer still battling the back and foot injury that has sidelined him since week twelve , watch to see how he does and if they rotate him at all with Nate Soldier who has played well in his absence. The Pats may want to keep an extra tight end or backer for safety reasons. The Giants have a rare rotation of six to seven linemen, coming in and out of the game. Always keeping fresh legs in the game at all times. Which has allowed them to put up the most sacks this postseason, nine total. They have guys with speed Osi Umenyoria(3.5) sacks and Jason Pierre-Paul (0.5). With big run blockers Justin Tuck, Chris Canty, and Rocky Bernard. They will all play significant snaps in putting pressure on Tom Brady. 

Gronk Vs Giant's Safeties

Expect tight end Rod Gronkowski to be shot up full of pain medicine this Sunday. To mask the pain of  is badly sprained ankle, which will need surgery after the season. Rob is a quarterbacks dream to have in the red zone standing 6'6 265 pounds, lets just say its like putting big foot out there, with the speed of a lion and strength of a rhinoceros. He draws a double team most plays, freeing up other options like Wes Welker, Anthony Hernandez, and Deion Branch, to be left single covered and sometimes open. Deion Grant is the back up safety to the  younger Kenny Phillps and Antrel Rolle. Grant is a physical hard hitting player, who plays a lot considering he's a back up. The Giants love putting him in the nickel or lined up on a fast tight end like he was against Vernon Davis. He didn't play to well considering he gave up two big touchdowns to Davis in the championship game. But the Giants have faced major secondary injury's this season and he is their best available option. Rolle is the best out of the group with great coverage skills, While Phillps is your typical big hitter and the best tackler with quick speed and younger legs than Grant, which is the main reason he starts over him. If Gronkowski can be as productive has he has been this season with 20 touchdowns 98 total receptions. Look for him to be a wrecking ball and causing many problems for the Giants defense. If the injury slows him down and he can't be what he has been. Then look for him to be used as a decoy and Veterans like Wes Welker, and Deion Branch will have to take on being the main weapons. With young guys like tight end Aaron Hernandez and running back Danny Woodhead who can play receiver, will have bigger roles. Who knows maybe will even catch a Chad Ochocinco sighting, if he can ever learn the Playbook. 

My Prediction 

This game can easily go both ways, both teams are great in the passing game, both struggle to run the ball. The Giants have a better all around defense with one of the deepest defensive line groups, i have seen in my lifetime. The Patriots defense causes more turnovers and headaches for offenses with all their different type of formations and blitzing schemes. Their has been lots of talk about Eli Manning deserving to be put in the conversation for being one of the top five quarterback's in the league. I can see the argument, and if he beats Brady again it would solidify that and definitely put him in the Hall of Fame. But i just can't picture Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick losing another super bowl to the same quarterback and head coach Tom Coughlin. Tom Brady is a true leader and doesn't want his history to show two super bowl losses to the same quarterback. So i'm going to pick the better quarterback in this one, with it being a close game. Final score Patriots 27-Gaints 21.

         What to do with Superman?

Picture from BlackWebPortal.com©

What should GM Otis Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy do with unhappy superstar center Dwight Howard. Howard has become quite boisterous, with his comments after Friday's loss to New Orleans saying ''I look at guys and they don't look like they want to play," Howard said following the beating. "I told them at halftime, 'If you don't want to play, just stay in the locker room, because it don't make sense for a team who we should beat to just demolish us.' " Dwight has played spectacular this season averaging a career high in rebounds 15.3 and exactly 20 points per game. Howard has made it clear several times to the media that he plans to test free agency this summer. He's has gone back in forth on demanding to be traded. He's said he would be open to returning to Orlando if he believes the team will do what it takes to win. Translation spend the money to bring in a another star player and better role players. J.J Redick, Hedo Turkogulu, and Jameer Nelson are nice role players.

But the NBA is a copycat league, Dwight sees stars joining forces in LA, Miami, New York and must ask himself how he's going to win with this group of players. Now he knows one player can't win a championship by himself. Magic had Kareem, Bird had Mchale, and yes even the greatest player to ever lace them up Micheal Jordan had Scottie Pippen. GM Otis Smith said after an embarrassing defeat to Philadelphia on Monday losing 74-69, where they shot 33.3 percent from the field and turned the ball over 14 times.(hoopdata.com) Smith said'' If a string of losses causes you to change your plans, then I'm in the wrong job''. Implying he still has no plans to trade Howard. The Magic organization has to decide if they want to stay the course and see if they can sign Howard in the off season, and try and bring in another star player with him.

      

There have been rumors of Howard and all star point guard Deron Williams teaming up some where next season, according to Marc Stein of ESPN the landing spots could be Orlando,LA,New York, and Dallas where Williams was born.The two have a history together, teammates on the 2008 USA gold medal team. Owner Mark Cuban will definitely have the cash to shell out to both players.  With many believing he gave out one year contracts to players Vince Carter,Lamar Odom, and Jason Kidd. He will have the cap space by letting a main piece of the championship team, Tyson Chandler go in free agency this past off season.

For the main purpose of going after one or two all star players this summer. But if Orlando takes that risk and losses Howard with getting nothing back, it could set the franchise back into the lottery for several years. Just ask Cleavland and Toronto who both lost Lebron James and Chris Bosh to Miami with getting nothing but a player exception back after they signed deals. They could do what Denver, Utah, and New Orleans did and get great value in bringing in some key starters and stock up on draft picks.

I would choose the latter, Denver won more games last season after the Carmelo Anthony trade and have a 14-7 record so far this season. Utah struggled after the trade of Deron Williams. but with Coach Ty Corbin having  all be it a short training camp and a home filled Schedule they have seemed to find their inch with a 12-7 record.Bottom line i don't think Orlando can take that risk of being left empty handed with nothing to show for it.