Dolphins coveting Manning

[EKnight]

Apparently this is all over the news today. Ross wants Manning ahead of any and all other QB's. Yahoosports, the Miami Herald, and the Palm Beach Sports all reporting it.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/dolphins/peyton-manning-is-at-top-of-miami-dolphins-2118530.html
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/NFL-scoop-du-jour/dolphins-coveting-peyton-manning-112426521.html
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/23/2603050/peyton-manning-sits-atop-miami.html

-EK

[el diablo]

Which should scream as a Red Flag, he doesn't even think Flynn is the guy. Ross hasn't learned from the head coaching fiasco(s). So both Manning & Flynn will sign somewhere else. But the Texas A&M guy will end up being "the perfect fit".

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Manning is currently under contract. 

If the Colts feel he is healthy enough to play, they are going to keep him.

If they don't feel he is healthy enough to play, why the hell would anybody else want him? 

[Landshark]

Manning is currently under contract. 

If the Colts feel he is healthy enough to play, they are going to keep him.

If they don't feel he is healthy enough to play, why the hell would anybody else want him? 

Because they may decide to tear down the team and build completely from scratch, in which case they would not want to pay Manning the $28 million roster bonus he is due in March.  In that case, they would release him.

[Brian Fein]

Why can't you get Manning AND Flynn?  No one said you can't try to grab them both and use Flynn/Moore as insurance for if/when Manning gets hurt again...

[EKnight]

I just found it interesting, since so many people jumped to the conclusion that Flynn was such a strong contender to be the next QB, when it seems that that isn't the plan at all. -EK

[el diablo]

Because there is no way they can afford to have $30 million plus in salary devoted to the QB position & improve in other areas. At the same time, if you're Flynn, why would you go anywhere Peyton does? This is your chance for a payday that you can retire on.

[mecadonzilla]

If Peyton is healthy, I don't mind.  Apparently, that's a big "if."

[MikeO]

This is a total ploy by the Dolphins to reduce Matt Flynn's asking price. 10 minutes after the Dolphins hired Philbin EVERY media outlet had Flynn in Miami. ESPN broke into coverage with John Clayton doing a piece on it for christ sakes. They gave Philbin 6 seconds on being hired then did 4 minutes on Flynn....lol  That gave Flynn and his agent all the advantage to pretty much rape Miami in contract talks come March.

Now Miami floats this story to send the message to Flynn's agent you aren't the only guy on the market and not even our top choice. It's just one big giant game of Chicken. I mean Peyton Manning calls his own plays and isn't running some west coast offense. Peyton in Miami sells tickets but on the field makes little sense unless Philbin is handing the offense over to him which I don't see a rookie head coach doing.

The Dolphins just need to get some leverage back from Flynn and his agent, and they did. Would Miami take Peyton if Peyton came knocking, sure who wouldn't You adjust. But I don't think Peyton wants Miami and Miami really wants Peyton. I think Flynn sits #1 on their wish list.

[Pappy13]

^^ I don't agree. I'd take Peyton Manning over Matt Flynn in a heartbeat and I think a lot of others would too. It's a nice theory you got there, but it's just a theory.

[CF DolFan]

You may be right Mike. If so it's one of the first times they did the smart thing and didn't show all of their cards.

[Pappy13]

If so it's one of the first times they did the smart thing and didn't show all of their cards.

Which is probably the biggest indication that MikeO's theory is incorrect unfortunately.

[MikeO]

^^ I don't agree. I'd take Peyton Manning over Matt Flynn in a heartbeat and I think a lot of others would too. It's a nice theory you got there, but it's just a theory.

yes Peyton Manning is (was) a better player, of course. He is going to the hall of fame and is one of the all time greats. But who is a better fit for the Dolphins right now as they rebuild...Flynn. Younger, knows the offense, knows the coach.  He will be here longer. Now maybe Flynn is AJ Feely Part 2. But maybe Manning is damaged goods and not the same. Both guys are a risk on some level.

Most people would take Peyton and I wouldn't be upset if Peyton came here. But why "leak" this story now, free agency is a month away. Because they had to reduce the leverage Flynn had after he was all over the news this weekend being tied to Miami and his agent started talking to the press.  Flynn has all the leverage in future contract talks and that's never good for the team. The team had to push back some slow things down. It's a big game of chicken. Happens in pro sports all the time when these things take place.

[MikeO]

You may be right Mike. If so it's one of the first times they did the smart thing and didn't show all of their cards.

Exactly.

[masterfins]

Well there are reportedly four teams interested in Peyton: Miami, Arizona, Jets, and Washington.  I don't see Manning going to the Jets for several reasons - sharing the same town and stadium with little bro, outside cold stadium, and he doesn't seem like a fit with Ryan.  Washington still a little cold, plus would face little Bro twice per year, so I think he would pass.  That leads the Cards and Fins, both good weather cities, Cards would be jumping conferences and a harder route back to the Super Bowl with some strong NFC teams.  I would think Peyton would like Philbin as a coach, and if Miami picks up a Tackle in the draft they would have a strong line to protect him.  Otherwise he goes to a Dome team.