Manning to 49ers could be tricky to pull off

[Big Bid'Ness]

Fromrofootballtalk

With all sign pointing to Peyton Manning and the Colts heading for a divorce, the question becomes whether, and when, Peyton will pick a new bride.

The Cardinals, Dolphins, and Jets have been mentioned as possible destinations. If, however, Peyton plans to try to win more Super Bowls, the best team most in need of an upgrade at quarterback could be the 49ers.

Apart from the intriguing tentacles (Manning succeeding San Fran coach Jim Harbaugh as the Colts quarterback, Harbaugh coached the likely next Colts quarterback, Andrew Luck, at Stanford) and the question of whether Manning would move his wife and infant twins to California, the 49ers have the defense, the running game, and the fiery head coach to help Manning add to his one ring.

But here’s where it gets tricky for the 49ers. With starting quarterback Alex Smith due to be a free agent on March 13 and the Colts not forced to make a decision on Manning until March 8, the 49ers could lose Smith if they don’t move quickly on Manning, who may not be fully healthy at that point.

That’s why the best fit for Manning could be a team that already has a starting quarterback under contract for 2012, giving the team some flexibility because there’s already a Plan A in place. Then, that team could do either what the Jets did to Chad Pennington in 2008 or what the Vikings did to Tarvaris Jackson in 2009 and 2010, if this year’s Plan A+ comes to town.

The 49ers could pull it off by re-signing Smith to a manageable deal, which would leave enough cap room to bring in Manning later. As Rosenthal pointed out Tuesday, Smith’s performance in the NFC title game could mean that the 49ers won’t have to break the bank in order to keep him around.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

I'm not sure what their cap situation is -- whoever knows that, it would be great to know.

I think they're a possibility. I don't get why people keep mentioning the Jets. I doubt Peyton wants to play in the windy Meadowlands with loudmouths all around him.

To me, 49ers make sense. Redskins make sense. Heck, even Chiefs would make sense. In terms of deep pockets and weather, Miami is a big possibility -- but I don't think they have the talent down there to be attractive.

Like I said, I don't know the CAP situation for most teams, but my assumption is Washington, 49ers, Chiefs, Cardinals, Titans would be your top dogs to go after him, based on Weather and talent around him. But once I see CAP #'s i'll probably have to knock off a few of those teams I mentioned, haha.

 

[RipCity32]

49ers is easily the best fit. As they have the talent to probably win a Super Bowl. Anywhere else he goes, would be a situation he wouldn't put himself into.

 

[TTN2810]

I think they like Smith enough to not go after him. They really like how far Smith has come and getting Peyton would set that all back. This is the least place I'd expect to see him play, of the teams being thrown around.

 

[elcheato]

If you can get Peyton Manning, you're kicking Alex Smith to the curb. He's nothing special.

 

[.infamous]

If you can get Peyton Manning, you're kicking Alex Smith to the curb. He's nothing special.

This^ Alex Smith aint that great. All he is a game manager. He isn't a guy that can take over a game when ever he wants like Manning.

 

[TTN2810]

Everyone thins Manning will just be a slam dunk. The guy is 35, coming off neck surgeries, learning a new offense, no chemistry with the WR's whoever he goes to etc. And I think Smith proved against the Saints he can take over a game.

I'm just not going to bet Manning will be the same he always was. He hasn't played in a long time, and like I said, it's neck surgeries.

 

[Elite]

Half of Peyton Manning > Alex Smith

 

[Pugz]

all its gonna take is one big hit to peytons and his career could be done. idek if id play if i was him. hes one of the best qb's but there isnt as many teams looking for a qb that are superbowl caliber and i cant see him choosing a rebuilding team if he is released.

 

[Elite]

Peyton makes a team an instant contender though. The Colts would have made the playoffs with Peyton this year.

He can go to any team and turn them into a playoff team.

 

[NCSportsfan21]

Peyton to the Niners, Jets, or Cardinals makes for an instant Super Bowl contender. Peyton to the Niners could be very scary if they retain all their pieces from last year. I mean if they had 2010 Peyton on the 2011 Niners? Wow they could be a new dynasty.

 

[playmaker7]

Surprisingly...I really don't want this to happen

Keep Alex Smith as the starter. He's definitely improved and it's easy to see that he deserves to be the starting QB going into next season. I don't know why they'd make a push for Peyton when Alex hasn't done anything worthy of losing his spot.

Peyton might have fucked himself up too anyways...

 

[TTN2810]

Exactly. Smith improved so much this year, why can't he improve that much next year?

 

[elcheato]

Because Alex Smith is a game manager. There's a better chance of him regressing next year then improving.

 

[TTN2810]

So he "managed" the Saints game?

 

[elcheato]

Are you really using a one game sample size?

Did Matt Hasselbeck "manage" the Ravens game week 2? No, but you still hate him and think he sucks.

 

[playmaker7]

Because Alex Smith is a game manager. There's a better chance of him regressing next year then improving.

If the 49ers keep putting the necessary tools around him, like this did this past year, I don't know how you can see him regressing at all.

 

[TTN2810]

Are you really using a one game sample size?

Did Matt Hasselbeck "manage" the Ravens game week 2? No, but you still hate him and think he sucks.

LOL at this post and the +1.
He had Britt making huge plays for him. As soon as Britt was gone, so was Hasselbeck. You clearly didn't watch them at all.
And are you REALLY comparing a 38 year old to a 28 year old? SMH

 

[Favre4Ever]

Oh come on. The Niners don't want or need Peyton anyway.

The guys career is likely over. The team that drafted him and that has coddled him for the last decade+ no longer wants him, why would anyone else?

The guy is 35, has had 3 neck surgeries in the last year... Needs nerves in his neck to regenerate... and is waiting for the muscles in his pecs to regain their strength.

Even if he does return, he will never be the same Peyton Manning that won the NFL MVP 4x. And if he does come back, you need to make sure that he has an elite O Line in front of him, because he has no mobility at all.

 

[TTN2810]

Agreed. And the 9ers O-line isn't that great either.