Peyton: Bye Bye Colts, Hello Broncos! (was: Bye bye Peyton)

[Logan]

As a fan I'll remove the Niners for a second...I'm really surprised he would rather play in Denver than Tennessee.

[Lathum]

ESPN reporting he is opening negotiations with Denver

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by Lathum

ESPN reporting he is opening negotiations with Denver

Looks like a done deal, Tebow on the block.

[Rizon]

Tebow probably goes to the Dolphins for some 1st rounders and the ghost of Troy Stradford.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Originally Posted by BYU 14

Tebow on the block.

I have an empty beer bottle & some paper clips that may or may not be functional.

[Chief Rum]

I don't understand why it would take first rounders to get Tebow. I don't think it would take first rounder, much less first rounders.

[molson]

tebow to the patriots? (john clayton apparently stirring up that rumor, says boston.com)

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

I don't understand why it would take first rounders to get Tebow. I don't think it would take first rounder, much less first rounders.

3rd rounder, I'm guessing.

[Racer]

Originally Posted by Logan

3rd rounder, I'm guessing.

I predict an early 2nd (Dolphins or Jaguars most likely) and maybe a 2013 3rd rounder.

[Rizon]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

I don't understand why it would take first rounders to get Tebow. I don't think it would take first rounder, much less first rounders.

Neither do the Dolphins, which is why they'll do it.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Originally Posted by molson

tebow to the patriots? (john clayton apparently stirring up that rumor, says boston.com)

Despite the history, can't see the Pats offering more than the Jags or Phins.

[JediKooter]

The Tebow era is over.

[Rizon]

...

[BYU 14]

Can see the Jags doing it, would be a smart business move if you can get away with a couple of 3rd round picks.

[JediKooter]

I really hope AJ Smith is sitting at his desk at Chargers HQ, crying and shouting to himself, "WHY DIDN'T I GO AFTER MARIO WILLIAMS!??!?!??!!".

It's because you're a dumb ass AJ. Dumb ass.

[spleen1015]

Originally Posted by Rizon

...

Nice, but he's not going to wear 18.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Originally Posted by JediKooter

I really hope AJ Smith is sitting at his desk at Chargers HQ, crying and shouting to himself, "WHY DIDN'T I GO AFTER MARIO WILLIAMS!??!?!??!!".

It's because you're a dumb ass AJ. Dumb ass.

Wrong thread... but it was pretty clear Williams wasn't going to a 34 team.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

I wonder if it was the bacon that swung his decision.

Oh, and I'll have one Denver omelet with a side of Tebow toast.

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by M GO BLUE!!!

Wrong thread... but it was pretty clear Williams wasn't going to a 34 team.

Yah, far from it for me to say AJ Smith isn't the wilds biggest moron bc he is, but I'm glad we didn't drop 90mil on Mario. He's a far better 4-3 end than he is 3-4 rush backer.

[EagleFan]

I was actually hoping that he would land in San Fran, as strange as that sounds. Granted, it would mean the season is pretty much done but that team would have been very fun to watch. I don't understand why he would pick Denver over San Fran? Would you like to go some place where you can dominate the league or some place where you will have to burst your ass just to maybe make the playoffs and be lucky to win a game. Hell, if he doesn't win at least one game next season in Denver he will be viewed as "less than Tebow". Why do that to yourself?

[JediKooter]

Originally Posted by M GO BLUE!!!

Wrong thread... but it was pretty clear Williams wasn't going to a 34 team.

If I remember correctly, the current D-coordinator for the Chargers is a 4-3 guy.

[Rizon]

Kaepernick, Tolzien, and Asenseofpanic battlin for the starting job in SF, now.

[Vince, Pt. II]

I'm also puzzled. I guess the AFC thing was really important. I think I'm ok with this, though - now I don't have to hold my breath after every hit/hurry/pressure/sack, and if the Niners finally do get there, it's going to be really nice to see Alex make it happen.

[bhlloy]

I dunno about that. Denver's supporting cast is pretty damn good. Or do you really think it was all Tebow last season?

The issue for the Niners was always going to be whether Pey-Pey and Harbaugh could coexist. Manning wants his freedom.

[Ksyrup]

Tough schedule:

@willbrinson 2012 non AFC West Peyton Manning games at home: PIT, CLE, TB, NO, HOU. Away? BAL, CIN, ATL, CAR ... New England

[spleen1015]

I'm glad he decided on Denver instead of Tennessee. I think he stands a better chance at a Super Bowl with Denver.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by Rizon

Kaepernick, Tolzien, and Asenseofpanic battlin for the starting job in SF, now.

A couple sources reported last night that Smith would only sign with the Dolphins if the 49ers signed Manning. I'd expect Smith to sign his contract with SF about 30 seconds after Manning to Denver is actually official.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

I dunno about that. Denver's supporting cast is pretty damn good. Or do you really think it was all Tebow last season?

The issue for the Niners was always going to be whether Pey-Pey and Harbaugh could coexist. Manning wants his freedom.

So good that they went 8-8 and backed into the playoffs in a weak division? Compared to the 49ers? Yes, I think their supporting cast is significantly worse than the 49ers.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

IWhy do that to yourself?

Can't say how I figure it makes much sense either.

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

So good that they went 8-8 and backed into the playoffs in a weak division? Compared to the 49ers? Yes, I think their supporting cast is significantly worse than the 49ers.

EDIT - nothing to see here. Comprehension fail on my part. Still think the Broncos with Manning are a solid playoff team tho

[M GO BLUE!!!]

The last time Denver got a former Colts #1 pick QB it kinda worked out.

[Ksyrup]

I hope we win it all, but TBH, I'm just glad the Tebow thing is over since the front office ovbiously wasn't committed to doing what was necessary to win with Tebow. They did some of it out of necessity in-season lasat year, but with a full off-season, they weren't prepared to do anything but force Tebow to become a regular QB, have him fail, and move on. And given the choice between that scenario and Manning either getting injured or the team as a whole not living up to expectations, I'll go with Manning. Worst case he does for the Broncos what he did for the Colts in 2011, and we'll have our 1st pick of QBs in the draft.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

...the front office ovbiously wasn't committed to doing what was necessary to win with Tebow.

Switch positions & use him as a passer only on gimmick plays?

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

EDIT - nothing to see here. Comprehension fail on my part. Still think the Broncos with Manning are a solid playoff team tho

I agree that they're better with Manning.

[Fidatelo]

I love that the Broncos signed Manning, I just wish we could keep Tebow, too. I really like Tebow and think he could bring some unique attributes to the team, even if he wasn't the starting QB.

Regardless, I've been needing to replace my old Shannon Sharpe jersey for a couple of years now, so it might be time to get a Manning jersey this fall

[Blackadar]

Originally Posted by M GO BLUE!!!

Switch positions & use him as a passer only on gimmick plays?

From a contractual standpoint, it's possible. He's only 2 years into a 5 year deal, so you could conceivably bench him for the 2-3 years of Peyton's time in Denver. Still, I just don't see it as the potential for disruption would be too great. The Tebow fans and the press could be a constant nuisance to the organization and even once Peyton retires, how would the team feel about having the once-demoted Tebow back at the helm?

So beyond Denver, where are the possible landing spots for TT?

Everyone says Jacksonville, but Gabbert was their #1 last year and they just signed Chad Henne, so that's already a crowded room.

Miami is certainly a possibility, but you'd have to think that Joe Philbin would get some leeway on whether or not he wants Tebow. They certainly have a need at QB.

New England? Possibly, but they got Ryan Mallett last year and I don't see NE's offense as being conducive for Tebow. You don't take the ball out of Brady's hands.

Beyond the obvious one (Miami), I'm going to dark horse a couple of candidates - both from the AFC North. If Cleveland doesn't like Tannehill, Tebow might be attractive to them. They certainly need some fan excitement and they appear to be moving away from Colt McCoy. It's entirely out of character, but the Steelers have no backup QB whatsoever right now. As a team that has adopted gimmick QBs in the past (Kordell Stewart), I could almost see them swinging a trade for Tebow if the price was low enough (4th rounder). But other than that, I can't think of too many landing spots for Tebow.

Former GM Charley Casserly said that he would be surprised if Tebow went for much more than a 5th.

[King of New York]

Miami won't have to offer anything more than a bag of footballs to get Tebow.

[Chief Rum]

Here's my thinking:

MANNING plus Crappy COLTS team == PLAYOFF TEAM
Crappy COLTS team - MANNING == #1 Overall Pick

Mediocre BRONCOS team >> Crappy COLTS team

Mediocre BRONCOS team plus MANNING == Super Bowl contender

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

That's true if the first two MANNINGS are the same as the last MANNING. We shall see.

[albionmoonlight]

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

MANNING plus Crappy COLTS team == PLAYOFF TEAM
Crappy COLTS team - MANNING == #1 Overall Pick

Question about that bit there ... was this most recent edition of the crappy Colts crappier than the previous edition(s) that Manning at least got to the playoffs?

In other words, was the 2011 version so bad that maybe even with Manning the playoffs wouldn't have been an absolute slam dunk?

[Ksyrup]

How much different were the 2011 and 2010 versions?

[Logan]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Question about that bit there ... was this most recent edition of the crappy Colts crappier than the previous edition(s) that Manning at least got to the playoffs?

In other words, was the 2011 version so bad that maybe even with Manning the playoffs wouldn't have been an absolute slam dunk?

I don't think they would have made the playoffs. Too many holes on the team, and Manning's play (and ability to handle the offense) masked it during 2010.

That being said, could the difference between 7-9 and 9-7 be a couple of Peyton throws? Absolutely.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

How much different were the 2011 and 2010 versions?

That's pretty much the question I was asking, I don't know if I actually saw enough of them in 2011 to be comfortable offering an answer (without doing more research than I'm interested in doing anyway).

[cartman]

Remember how much Thom Brennaman gushed over Tebow, saying things like "If you just spend a few minutes with him, your life will be better for it." Well, Peyton is no slouch either.

[ColtCrazy]

Lot more to say when I get home and off my phone, but on the current point...the 2010 and 2011 Colts were pretty much the same. In fact, certain additions gave some a feeling that 2011 would be an improvement.

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by cartman

Remember how much Thom Brennaman gushed over Tebow, saying things like "If you just spend a few minutes with him, your life will be better for it." Well, Peyton is no slouch either.

I forgot about that one. That is awesome.

[Daimyo]

Outside of Manning, the 2011 Colts were nearly identical to 2010 Colts and IMO were actually better the first few weeks before rookie DT Nevin and the rookie OTs were injured.

[Daimyo]

I really don't understand what Manning is thinking choosing Denver over San Francisco other than maybe he fell for the sentimentality of playing for Elway.

San Francisco would have been perfect football wise and winning a super bowl there would have been nice legacy wise following in the footsteps of Montana and Young. With that roster and that division they would have been the easy favorite this year. I bet the Moss signing was actually a huge negative for him given what he's used to from his star receivers in Indy. Maybe he was also worried about the field conditions and weather?

Tennessee and their fans probably came on a bit too strong. He seems to really love the state, but at this stage I don't think Manning wants to "own" a fan base and that was clearly being forced upon him there. (for the all the love he had in Indy, he's a private guy and the fans pretty much gave him as much space as he needed)

I'm glad he had the opportunity to land in a situation he's happy with... just wish he had picked a team I could get excited about.

[ColtCrazy]

Okay, I'm very happy for Manning and excited he's going to a team he can contend with. Unlike the 49ers, where I think they would have been the presumed favorite, the Broncos are now up there in the running with the Patriots and Ravens in the AFC. There's no reason they can't beat them, but I wouldn't say Denver is a lock for the Super Bowl either.

Basically, Elway needs to repeat the last two years of his own career. Keep the running game strong and solidify the defense and have Manning make the throws as needed. If they do that, they'll be a damn hard team to beat.

As for Tebow, I keep thinking back to an old Dolphins player named Jim Jensen. He was drafted as a quarterback, but once the Dolphins got Marino he wasn't needed. Jensen came a solid utility player, running and receiving and occasionally passing. Tebow could be an excellent utility player while learning under Manning as a quarterback.