Per ESPN: Peyton Manning's 14-year career as a member of the Indianapolis Colts is coming to an end. Sources close to the team told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen that the announcement will come at a news conference in Indianapolis on Wednesday with both Manning and owner Jim Irsay in attendance. The decision to pass on the $28 million bonus owed Manning and not to pick up the four remaining years on his contract means Manning will become a free agent, and sources told Mortensen that he intends to continue to play. The Colts have until 4 p.m. ET on Thursday to officially release Manning. The four-time league MVP missed the entire 2011 season after having his third neck surgery in 19 months, a fusion of two vertebrae. Manning has been medically cleared resume his career and has increased his throwing regimen. Several sources have told ESPN during the past month that Manning's throwing strength has dramatically improved as his nerves continue to regenerate following his latest neck surgery Sept. 8. Dr. Robert Watkins, who performed the single-level cervical fusion, has stated publicly that he has cleared Manning to resume his playing career. Manning has broken all of Indianapolis' career records for quarterbacks and had never missed a start before last season. He's taken the Colts to the playoffs 11 times, captured seven AFC South titles in eight years, won two AFC championships, one Super Bowl title and a Super Bowl MVP Award. The Colts have the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft and are likely to draft former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck or former Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7653897/sources-indianapolis-colts-part-peyton-manning-wednesday
One year ago you could've gotten a million to one odds that Manning would play for another team than Indy in 2012. Amazing.
The real question is whats more important? Money or Winning? Id assume winning but if he got offered a big contract by the Dolphins and contract for less money with the Cowboys (just for example), where would he end up? This will certainly be interesting.
No, they wouldn't have. They clearly wanted to move on even before any medical information came out. They were not going to win a SB even with Peyton seeing how bad that team is, they were intent on starting over with or without a healthy manning.
You would be wrong. That #8 pick would immediately be used on a player to help Manning win right now. Dolphins can provide : - Arguably the best LT in the NFL in Jake Long to protect his blind side - Pro Bowl WR in Brandon Marshall - 1000 yard rusher in Reggie Bush who is also deadly in the short passing game - A pretty good defense who only allowed 19 pts per game a new Head Coach who comes from the Green Bay offensive powered philosophy and would be a perfect fit for Manning.
Your four points are all better reasons as to why Manning would choose Miami than the spot the Dolphins are drafting at. I'd bet that the weather in Miami would influence Manning's decision more than the fact that the Dolphins have the eighth pick. If Manning ultimately decides its between Arizona and Miami, I doubt he's going to spend a restless night of sleep tossing it through his mind that Miami has a better draft pick than Arizona.
Hahaha.. exactly!! For me, I don't see where as Manning has to choose his next team strictly on making money... he has already done that. Even if he recovers from this injury - just how many more years of play can we really epect? Two.. maybe three? If I were Manning (and I'm not), I would be looking at the team that can offer me the best protection and shot at a title. Miami that ain't.
I would just like to mention that am also not Peyton Manning. My forehead is far smaller, and I can't throw a football more than 20 yards. Plus, my dick is waaaaay bigger than his.
