Peyton gone...

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/76...ning-wednesday
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I'm pretty interested to see if he can go to Minny or Miami and make some noise...

Really wish Denver could make something work to bring him in....
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I should add, I hope wherever PM goes, that he is successful & healthy....
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It will be really weird to see him in another jersey. As you said, I hope he returns when ready and healthy.
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Welcome to the Windy City Manning. Jay can be a backup
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Kansas City is going to snag him first........ I hope.
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I am not surprised. Andrew Luck will be much cheaper.
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I had seen a few weeks ago someone from Dallas tweeted that he was going there, but no confirmation....we shall see.
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Its a shame though to see him go!!! I think it will be Miami..he already has a house there and they are in desperate need of a QB
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Payton I respect, his little brother, not so much.
I think if you put Payton behind a good O-line he will continue to produce.
Good luck to Payton, I admire his class!
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I agree

The Dolphins were in all of those games that they lost the 1st half of last year and having Manning may just be enough to push them over the edge to contend for a Wild Card birth in the AFC East.
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I see the Jets making a push for him. Sanchez isn't the man in NY.
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I don't know why, but it annoys me how big of a deal ESPN is making this. It's not like the writing wasn't already on the wall. Further, outside of a select few (Dan Marino, Walter Payon, and Barry Sanders come to mind) the all-time greats don't start and finish their professional football career with the same team.
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Let's hope not, that is a sinking ship and I would hate to see him end a great career on that ship!
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:-)

I think we all saw this coming and unfortunately few players in this day and age of free agency and salary cap start and finish their career on the same team. I didn't believe for a second the initial reports that said the Colts would keep Manning and Luck on the roster for a year or two.

I think Peyton is a GIANT question mark right now. How healthy is he really? Is he going to get any healthier with time? How injury prone is he at this point in his career? I think he'll land somewhere and get a contract HEAVY with incentives and a smaller than he's used to base salary. I'd be shocked if he came back the same player he was in the past but he'll probably still be a decent QB and better than some options teams currently have on their rosters.
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Two dark horses not yet mentioned:
Arizona - playing with the best wide receiver in football with your home games in a controlled environment? Would also give the team a much needed identity it currently lacks.

Seattle - Would've made the playoffs last year if there had been a competent quarterback under center. Seattle is young; this would buy them a couple of years to find a future signal caller while still remaining competitive.

To me, either Miami/Kansas City/Arizona make the most sense.
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Hopefully Luck dosn't turn into another Ryan Leaf. I'm kind of suprised to see the Colts letting Manning go but at the same time I guess I'm not. I can see how Manning is getting old and they don't want to take the risk on him.

I also see Manning as still being able to perform as long as his surgery went good and such. I believe he still has 3-5 years left in him.

I think some team will really be blessed with his knowledge of the game. Manning IMOP is the most knowledgable NFL QB out there.

Hopefully he stays in his confrence so he can play against the colts, It will be fun to watch him play.
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I'm with Stephen on all points. The writing was on the wall for this one. I think the Colts have a long struggle ahead without Peyton in the organization, but that's another thread.
I understand Miami is in the mix according to the Miami Herald and the billboards they've posted around town. There's two websites devoted to trying to bring Peyton to Miami.
I just do not see him there, regardless of the fit. Flynn makes a lot more sense for a lot less money.
I think Arizona makes the most sense, and if I was betting, that's where my money would be. It gets Peyton out of the cold and into a place that's done this sort of thing before with Kurt Warner. They know how to make it all work.
I have no idea where any of these teams are financially, or if any of them can come at Peyton with anywhere near 28 million, but we'll see. I'd like to take a look at the cap room for each team and see what other constructive ways they can defer money to make the best possible guess, but from a guy who's got a backful of metal, I can positively say that that high pressure desert is gonna feel good on Peyton's multiple surgeries. That environment is going to be a huge sell for an old, cobbed up man. :-)
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The Colts had 28 million reasons to let him go. I truly believe this was ALL about the all mighty dollar.
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Oh I'm sure it was. Too bad they couldn't have signed him back for at least a year or two year to play/coach luck. I don't see payton taking the backseat to anyone though no matter how bad he plays.

I truley think if he dosn't start some where, He will just retire. He will make a damn fine QB coach for someone though.
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