Chiefs a good fit for Manning

By Bill Williamson

The Peyton Manning saga will surely be the story of the NFL offseason. The question in the AFC West is, will the Kansas City Chiefs be the story along with the legendary Indianapolis Colts quarterback?

As of now, we have to think it is a real possibility that the Chiefs will heavily pursue Manning -- who may be cut by the Colts as soon as next week -- if he becomes a free agent. Manning, who will turn 36 on March 24, missed all of last season with a neck injury and there is no certain date when he will be 100 percent, although there have been reports he will be ready to play in 2012.

If the Chiefs end up signing Manning, it won’t be the first time the organization brought in a living legend at the end of his career after he suffered a serious injury. The Chiefs traded for San Francisco’s Joe Montana in 1993.

The Chiefs have been connected to Manning in recent weeks. A Kansas City radio station has even reported that the team has had multiple conversations with Manning’s agent about finances and that the Chiefs feel comfortable about what Manning may want. That would constitute tampering and it is highly unlikely any team would talk finances with Manning before giving him a physical and knowing more about his recovery timetable. Still, the Chiefs have a load of salary-cap room and they can easily construct a deal for Manning in addition to making other improvements.

Of course, Kansas City coach Romeo Crennel did nothing to take the scent off a potential Chiefs-Manning pairing when he said this at the NFL combine last Saturday: “With a talent like that, I would be crazy not to consider it if he’s available. I’ll leave it at that.”

The Chiefs are not necessarily looking for a new starting quarterback. At the combine, Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli wouldn’t say the job is open. He said the starter is Matt Cassel. However, there will be competition at every position. The translation is the Chiefs expect Cassel to be the starter, but if a better option comes along, they will consider it. There’s no doubt a healthy Manning would be a better option.

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Kansas City's Matt CasselDak Dillon/US PRESSWIREMatt Cassel may find himself backing up Peyton Manning next season if the Chiefs make a move.
If the Chiefs do want to go deep into the Manning sweepstakes, they will have competition, likely beginning with Miami and Washington. There will surely be other teams that show interest in the player who many consider one of the greatest NFL players of all time.

In addition to their interest and financial means, here’s another reason the Chiefs could be favorites to land Manning: They may be the best team interested in him. That would surely appeal to Manning when he is making his choice. I’m not sure many of the interested teams can offer Manning a better supporting cast.

The Chiefs have a strong running game and Manning would have plenty of receiving options. No. 1 receiver Dwayne Bowe is expected to be franchised, 2011 first-round pick Jonathan Baldwin is a potential game-changing deep threat and Steve Breaston is a solid possession receiver. Tight end Tony Moeaki is expected to be healthy after missing the 2011 season with a knee injury. He was terrific as a rookie in 2010.

In addition to appealing offensive weapons, the Chiefs have the makings of a strong defense. A healthy Manning would immensely help any team. But Manning could be a difference-maker in Kansas City. Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. said adding Manning would make the Chiefs -- who finished 7-9 in 2011 despite major injury issues -- “the clear favorite to win the AFC West” in 2012.

Putting Manning in the Heartland would make many teams in the AFC nervous.

I would think Manning would also be fine with working with Crennel and Pioli. He is close with New England quarterback Tom Brady and Brady won Super Bowls with both men. I’m sure Brady would give Manning glowing reports on both of his potential bosses. And don’t think Manning would have trouble working with a defensive-minded coach like Crennel. Remember, the man Manning won his Super Bowl ring with, Tony Dungy, was a defensive-minded coach.

Cassel is also a factor in this scenario. Because Manning will be signed before there are any guarantees he’ll be ready to play, any team that signs him must have a good fallback plan. There are fewer better fallbacks than Cassel.

If Manning is signed and he has a setback, the Chiefs can rely on Cassel, who shined as Brady’s injury replacement in 2008. While Cassel wouldn’t be thrilled with the idea of backing up Manning, I’m sure he’d understand the Chiefs taking advantage of a rare opportunity to pick up a future Hall of Fame player.

There are a lot of reasons this pairing makes sense. If it happens, the Chiefs will be at the center of the NFL universe.

Its about time people started talking about how good a fit the Chiefs would be for Manning. We really are his best option if he wants to win.

Imagine the Redross meltdown if this actually happens.

SylvesterMalone1978 wrote:

Imagine the Redross meltdown if this actually happens.

No meltdown...but I'm sure eating crow tastes like shit. I am all for a healthy Manning. Manning would make us a contender... gotta beef up that Oline if he does end up here. Still don't believe it happens though.

I seriously dont understand why ESPN or NFL Network never talk about the possibility of him coming to KC. Theyre always talking about Miami, Washington, New York, Seattle, and Arizona getting him. KC has the most cap. KC has the best talent. Joe Montana pt. 2..lets do it!

Manning would be fantastic if healthy. The division would be KC's for sure. The only talk should over whether we will wind up with a 1st round bye or not.

People talk about the Dolphins being a great fit for Peyton...How?!? There is nothing in Miami. Brandon Marshall is good but the guys a nut. He gets suspended and Peyton has no #1 WR. Bess isnt great by any means. Hartline is ok I guess? Reggie Bush came on strong..but still. Miami is trash.

The Jets arent going to part with Sanchez to bring in Manning. New York is Eli's town..he wont go there. Their locker room is like an Arkansas trailor park. Peyton will want no part of that.

Arizona makes alot of sense. They really address the OL though and that will be crucial to Peytons decision.

Seattle has nothing. Lynch is a good back. Baldwin is sub par. Rice is always hurt. Seattle is cooler. No way.

49rs are committed to Alex Smith. Not happening.

Washington just wouldnt be a good place for Manning, I dont think. Shanny has always prefered QBs who can move..and Peyton isnt exactly mobile. They really dont have anybody at reciever. They were playing several different late round runningbacks last season. Theyre better off with RGIII.

Cleveland. haha.

Denver would be a good fit. I dont see them making the move and replacing the living God Tim Tebow though.

KC...I dont see a single negative besides RT. Charles, Bowe, Baldwin, Moeaki, Breaston, and McCluster. Thats more weapons right there than he EVER had in Indy. Albert, Lilja, Hudson, Asamoah, whoever. Thats not a terrible OL at all. The defense played like a top 5 defense when Romeo took over.

For some reason I see people wanting him in Houston. Im assuming theyre high or just forgot about Schaub.

I agree, Manning would honestly fit in the best here. Im sure he will choose Miami, I just think Wayne will be in his ear and Jake Long is there.

Reggie Wayne was really talking up the thought of him and Manning together in Miami.

Hopefully Philbin prefers Flynn though.

Well we shouldn't have to wait long to find out. He said he would make a decision within the next week. Hopefully he picks KC. GO CHIEFS!!!!!!!

I think we are a real threat to sign him because he will want to win and we have the talent to do that.

Potentially huge news!

The Kansas City Chiefs were the only team to offer a completed contract to free agent quarterback Peyton Manning on Thursday, according to Denver radio host Brandon Spano. Spano's source says that Kansas City appears to be the most prepared of the teams interested in Manning's services.

Miami media circus may make Manning wary of Dolphins

Posted by Evan Silva on March 9, 2012, 11:20 AM EST

AP
Appearing on ESPN’s 9 a.m. edition of SportsCenter Friday, Adam Schefter suggested that the immediate and circus-style media coverage of Peyton Manning landing in Miami after his release by the Colts may have affected the free agent quarterback’s outlook on playing for the Dolphins.

Citing people who know Manning, Schefter reported that the helicopter chases were jarring. Florio referred to it as a “South Florida frenzy.” Manning isn’t a “big city” type, and never had to deal with excessive, paparazzi-style coverage in Knoxville or Indianapolis.

He’d have to become accustomed to that if he made Miami his permanent home.

While it seems unlikely that Manning would rule out the Dolphins as a potential suitor because of what occurred over the last two days, you can be sure he’s factoring it in

And that's the best news yet for KC bringing him in. KC's media would go into a frenzy, but that's not saying a whole lot. Especially with the Chiefs being such a secretive organization.

Now if we just had a fucking dome and/or nice weather......

Yep. You damn KC voters really shit the bed by not wanting that rolling roof. Not only would a SB have been played in KC, but KC would have been playing in a few!

I woke up this morning... hung over as shit slept in a crappy chair and this ESPN Radio show was on. Dude just hated KC. It was pretty much Miami or bust with him, he thought DENVER was his next best choice. I just sat there in a daze hating every moment of it but couldn't move to turn the channel.

Report: Peyton Manning meeting with Broncos, then Cardinals and Dolphins

By Doug Farrar | Shutdown Corner – 3 hours ago.. .

Well, THIS could get interesting... (Getty Images)

Not long after Peyton Manning became a free agent, the suitors lined up, and now, visits are taking place. Mike Klis of the Denver Post reports that Broncos VP of Football Operations John Elway and general manager Brian Xanders, fresh from Oklahoma State's Pro Day, will fly to Miami, pick Manning up at his south Florida residence, and try to sell him on the idea of becoming the Broncos' next franchise quarterback. Klis also reports that Manning has visits lined up with the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins after he spends some time in Denver.

Of course, the Broncos already have a franchise quarterback in Tim Tebow -- at least, the fans think so. But if Elway is still hesitating on Tebow as the long-term solution, as has been reported and intimated for years, getting Manning on board would be one of the few things that would keep those very same fans from burning Elway in effigy -- no matter how much you love Tebow, how could you possibly turn down an opportunity to have a healthy Peyton Manning at the helm for a few years?

Miami is still the favorite in most pools, given the full-court press they plan to put on, but ESPN's Adam Schefter recently reported that Manning might be turned off by the media circus that will inevitably become -- when Manning returned to Florida following his release from the Indianapolis Colts, he had paparazzi following him by car and helicopter.

(Of course, having Manning replace Tebow in Denver wouldn't be a media circus. No -- not at all!)

Meanwhile, Kansas City Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said Friday on NBC-TV that his team will pursue Manning with all the franchise's resources. No visit to Kansas City has been reported at this time.

"He's one of the greatest players in the history of the league," Hunt said. "He's also an incredible person. We feel really good about the team we have in Kansas City going into the 2012 season, but we'll look for any opportunity to improve and, of course, that includes Peyton Manning. I would think that he will be looking for the situation that fits him best. I don't know how important money will be to him, but I'm sure it will be part of the equation. But he's going to be looking for an environment that he's comfortable in."

The Arizona Cardinals also present an interesting possibility, given their indoor stadium, warm-weather climate, and the fact that Larry Fitzgerald is on the roster. Other competition for Manning's services may include the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins, though a Thursday report from Chris Russell of Yahoo! Sports Radio -- who lives in the D.C. area -- indicated that the Redskins are out of the picture, and that was primarily Manning's call.

"A couple of different sources inside the organization have told me that Manning's camp made it pretty clear to Redskins officials he doesn't want to come here," Russell said on Thursday's SportsCenter.

"There's lots of reasons for that. His brother Eli, the colder weather, the whole situation down in Miami and so on and so forth. But unless that changes -- and I'm taking my sources at their word -- I don't think Manning's coming here to D.C."

Klis' report said that Manning intends to make a decision by next Tuesday, which is when NFL teams may make formal overtures to non-released free agents. Receiver Reggie Wayne, Manning's longtime teammate in Indianapolis, has said that he would love to play with Manning again no matter where he goes -- though Miami would be a preference.

KC is not listed in that conversation as having a meeting. Not good in my opinion! I'm thinking he views KC like he does Washington.

VIA TSN.ca:

Chiefs owner Clark Hunt confirmed in an interview with NBC Sports Network that was scheduled to air Friday evening that his team is pursuing Manning.

"I don't know how important money will be to him, but I'm sure it will be part of the equation," Hunt said. "He's going to be looking for an environment that he's comfortable in."

He declined to say whether the Chiefs already have offered Manning a contract.

"I don't think it would be appropriate for me to talk about discussions at this point," Hunt said, "but he is somebody that we'll want to talk to."

RustShack wrote:

Yep. You damn KC voters really shit the bed by not wanting that rolling roof. Not only would a SB have been played in KC, but KC would have been playing in a few!

I don't think it would make any difference. It would be just as cold, just as windy, and the ground would be just as frozen. The only difference would have been the rain or snow wouldn't be coming down on the field. Kauffman would have benefitted much more than Arrowhead from the rolling roof.

"Peyton Manning is still inside Broncos headquarters."

Twitter / Mike Klis

This sucks!

I keep telling y'all Manning is not coming to KC. Pioli has created an environment that is not attractive to big name free agents. Hell Bowe isn't even willing to sign long term. Hope he goes to Miami though cause if he goes to Denver we are FUCKED! I would be shocked if he even makes a visit to K.C.

The fact that Hunt came out and said we are going to go after Manning is a great sign that they are serious. We have a very real shot here. I think that at the very least Pioli and company will drive up the price to keep him out of Denver. I think that the most attractive thing to Manning is our division. The fact that he wont have to fight through Brady and the Pats and the Jets twice a year will make us attractive.