The Peyton Manning Sweepstakes – V5.0 (Weekend in Review)
Byron Lambert, Rosterwatch.com

Photo Credit

(I found this pic on the awesome r/NFL Subreddit)

Peyton Manning has narrowed the field for his services rather quickly. Manning spent the last several days visiting Denver and Arizona. Two teams that have always looked like good fits on paper but neither of which was considered a front-runner when this saga began.

I’m not sure what the method to his madness is as he filters through the plethora of quality teams that have shown interest in him but a bunch of them are getting the snub.While other visits have not been ruled out, it’s quickly looking like teams such as: Miami, Kansas City, and Seattle aren’t going to get a sniff from #18. Then there are the teams that would be killer landing spots like: SF, HOU, BAL who all have QB contract issues that just don’t look to be interested in the science experiment that is Frankenstein.

Arizona Cardinals – 51%
3/10/12 – 18%
3/8/12 – 11%
3/4/12 – 7%
2/20/12 – 8%

Larry Fitzgerald. Peyton likes the stability at the coaching positions. He saw the success they had with Kurt Warner and he enjoys the warm weather. I could see Reggie Wayne or Dallas Clark coming along.

Denver Broncos – 43%
3/10/12 – 16%
3/8/12 – 7%
3/4/12 – 2%
2/20/12 – 2%

The John Elway factor plays huge here. The two men can relate and Peyton is comfortable with the history and direction of this organization. Also a potential landing spot for Wayne and Clark. The weather could be a negative here.

Miami Dolphins – 2%
3/10/12 – 13%
3/8/12-10%
3/4/12 – 8%
2/20/12 – 6%

As we originally suspected this was just not the right fit for Peyton. Too much instability within the organization and there is no way he wants to throw passes to an immature malcontent like Brandon Marshall.

San Francisco 49ers – 1%
3/10/12 – 9%
3/8/12- 4%
3/4/12 – 7%
2/20/12 – 8%

See: Houston Texans / Baltimore Ravens

Houston Texans – 1%
3/10/12 – 9%
3/8/12- 4%
3/4/12 – 1%
2/20/12 – 2%

See: Baltimore Ravens.

Baltimore Ravens – 1%
3/10/12-3%
3/8/12- 3%
3/4/12 – 2%
2/20/12 – 3%

I finally believe GM Ozzie Newsome (Baltimore) will not pursue Peyton Manning. I am still not taking them completely off of the list because it would be a championship fit. Maybe a last minute miracle for Ravens fans?

Tennessee Titans – 1%

A new entrant in the sweepstakes over the weekend. Owner Bud Adams desperately wants as many raffle tickets as he can get. Is there a chance Manning wants a homecoming in the Volunteer State?