Peyton Manning is 36. It’s nuts to trade Tebow, IMO.
36 with a neck held together by JB Weld. I don’t even think Manning should be risking his health by playing again. How much money do you need? If Tebow leaves, who’s Manning’s backup? KO? Please.
Living in Indy, I’ve watched Manning carefully in the past few years, and have come to the conclusion he isn’t the “saintly” person he is sometimes made out to be. It was clear during his tenure in Indianapolis that he did not want a competent backup QB. The guys behind him, Sorgi & Painter, were never going to cut it in the NFL. You could say “with a guy like Peyton who needs a backup?” Well, the Colts could have used one last year. I think Manning is very bright and very careful about what he says and does in public, and cultivates his image well. How he plays things behind the scenes with his GM may be a different story.
Also, I watched how he handled his salary in the past two years. He signed a huge contract extension before last year, but he knew he was injured and kept the extent of his injury from the team. I think he knew there was a substantial likelihood he wasn’t going to play. Then came the lockout. Manning was one of the “troika” of QBs along with Brees and Brady, who drove the players side of the deal that ended the lockout. Manning made sure that there was a clause inserted that barred a team from restructuring a contract to change the terms during the current contract year. That year begins on March 8. Thus, he knew the Colts would have make the tough decision to keep him and eat $35 million, or cut him, all without the benefit of mini camps, the draft, or a thorough medical analysis.
Peyton in effect called Irsay’s bluff, but Irsay IMO made the right decision and let him go. I think Denver was nuts to sign him for that much money AND commit themselves to trading Tebow, the only competent backup they have. I don’t doubt that commitment by Denver was important in getting Manning to sign with them. Personally, I think he’s washed up, nor will he play well in an October blizzard in Denver. Also, rumor has it he’s trying to “put the band back together” by getting the Broncos to sign guys like Dallas Clark and Jeff Saturday. Sorry, but those guys are washed up, too.
I don’t want to seem overly critical of Manning; the NFL is a business and Manning made very shrewd business decisions in his own interest. He is a very bright guy. But let’s call it for what it is. He can spare me the crocodile tears from the press conference.