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Manning, Peyton (Quarterback / Ind)
- Neck; Questionable
Latest News:
02.28.12
Peyton Manning (neck) hopes whatever team he signs with brings also signs Reggie Wayne to a contract, Sports Illustrated reports.
Impact:
Both players are nearing the ends of their careers, and neither is likely to work as well with another player in the league as well as they do each other. In a deep wide receiver free agent class, the 33-year-old Wayne could be surprisingly cheap.
02.27.12
The Dolphins are thought to have Peyton Manning (neck) on their radar should the Colts release him rather than pay him a $28 million bonus, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.
Impact:
The report points out the Dolphins have some playmakers and a good defense and notes the team could also possibly woo Manning by bringing Reggie Wayne (who played his collegiate ball at Miami) on board as well. Meanwhile, Kansas City coach Romeo Crennell said the Chiefs would be "crazy" not to consider Manning. In any case, assuming Manning is released, signing him carries great risk in terms of his health and potential salary demands, but at the same time any franchise making a run at him would not need to part with valuable chips in terms of players and draft choices.
02.23.12
The Chiefs and agent Tom Condon have reportedly spoken twice about Peyton Manning (neck), according to Bob Fescoe of 610 Sports.
Impact:
This is a speculative report of course, but the Chiefs have the cap room to be a player for Manning's services if the Colts end up releasing him. In other news, neither new GM Ryan Grigson nor new head coach Chuck Pagano have seen Manning throw during his rehab, but the truth is whether or not Manning stays with Indy nor has a chance to sign with the Chiefs, Cardinals, Redskins, Dolphins, Seahawks or any other team hinges on the team's (specifically owner Jim Irsay's) decision on the QB's impending $28 million option.
02.19.12
There is speculation that the Seahawks could make a play for Peyton Manning (neck), assuming he is released by the Colts, the Seattle News-Tribune reports.
Impact:
A healthy Manning would obviously be a major upgrade at QB for the Seahawks, as well as quite a few other NFL teams for that matter, but the real issue that clouds Manning's status with the Colts (and in general) remains the legitimate questions regarding the condition of his neck, which reportedly has undergone four procedures over the last two years.
02.15.12
Reports have surfaced stating that Peyton Manning has developed bone spurs just above where his September neck surgery took place and that the Colts believe it is likely the QB will require further surgery, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Impact:
When Manning underwent neck fusion surgery in September, the procedure was reported as the third he had underwent in two years, but the report adds that he actually went under the knife four times in that span. We'll have to see how this is spun, but this information further clouds Manning's already murky playing future.
02.15.12
Peyton Manning (neck) is unlikely to be back with the Colts this coming season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Mark Schlereth.
Impact:
Though Colts owner Jim Irsay hasn't closed the door on the QB staying with Indy, indicating that it's Manning's decision, with Andrew Luck on the way, few NFL observers expect the veteran signal-caller to renegotiate his contract in order to be in a Colts' uniform in 2012.
02.14.12
Peyton Manning (neck) will have to restructure his contract to return to the Colts, owner Jim Irsay told the Indianapolis Star.
Impact:
Manning is due a $28 million option bonus by March 8 that activates the final four years of the five-year, $90 million contract he signed in July. If Irsay does not pay the bonus, Manning becomes an unrestricted free agent. Considering Manning's health issues, it's no surprise whatsoever that the Colts are not going to pay him the bonus. "There's no question it can be worked out if he wants to be here," Irsay said. "It can work if he wants to come back and can get back to being the old Peyton."
02.14.12
The Houston Chronicle doubts that the Texans will pursue Peyton Manning (neck) if the Colts let him go.
Impact:
While there has reportedly been some media speculation that the Texans may be interested in Manning, the team already has Matt Schaub in the fold and the report goes on to add that the Houston offense is not a good fit for a pocket passer like Manning, anyway. Going forward, expect plenty of rumors regarding Manning's 2012 potential playing situation, but for the purposes of discussion, Arizona, Miami and Washington -- which have been mentioned as three possible suitors -- all make sense as landing spots for the future Hall of Famer.
02.09.12
Peyton Manning (neck) is reportedly still having trouble throwing, wgntv.com reports.
Impact:
The report notes that Manning's velocity is down and that he's having trouble throwing across his body to the left. Manning has had three neck surgeries in the last 19 months, so the fact that he's not 100 percent yet is not surprising -- after all, it's only February. But the fact remains that as talented and diligent as Manning is, there's no guarantee that he'll make a complete enough recovery to recapture his pre-injury form. With the Colts having a March 8 deadline to pay Manning a $28 million bonus, it's not hard to imagine the team bidding adieu to the face of their franchise, especially with April's draft -- and a shot at QB Andrew Luck -- on the horizon.
02.09.12
There is speculation that the Redskins could pursue Peyton Manning (neck) if the Colts release him, the Washington Post reports.
Impact:
While it's obvious that the Redskins could use an upgrade at QB, it's uncertain if the team would be interested in building around a QB that is reportedly not throwing like an NFL quarterback yet. That Manning is evidently not capable of throwing with any authority at this stage is no real surprise, but assuming the report is accurate, it does underscore the risk attached to him as a player, wherever he ends up in 2012.
02.08.12
The Cardinals have hired Frank Reich, Peyton Manning's (neck) former QB coach, as their wide receivers coach, the ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.
Impact:
With Kevin Kolb still a Cardinal and Manning still a Colt at the moment, a Manning-to-Arizona scenario is purely speculative, but the addition of Reich to the team's staff is the sort of move that will no doubt fuel the offseason Manning rumor mill.
02.06.12
Peyton Manning (neck) is open to structuring his contract so that he would be paid little money up front and would earn the bulk of his salary based on performance bonuses, ESPN reports.
Impact:
The Colts face a decision whether to pay Manning a $28 million option bonus due March 8. While his doctors have cleared Manning to play after neck-fusion surgery, it's not clear if the nerves have regenerated enough for him to regain his former velocity on his throws. Colts owner Jim Irsay has said Manning hasn't been medically cleared to play for the Colts. This report makes it seem like Manning is starting to think about how he would sign with a new team should the Colts release him rather than trying to remain with them - as it's not clear if Manning could restructure his current deal with the Colts in a way that would give Indianapolis the protection it needs should he not be able to resume his career.
02.03.12
Peyton Manning, contrary to earlier reports, has not been cleared for football activity, according to Colts owner Jim Irsay.
Impact:
Irsay tweeted Thursday that "Peyton has not passed our physical nor has he been cleared to play for the Indianapolis Colts." Irsay said the team would put out a statement Friday. This comes after an ESPN report earlier Thursday that Manning had been cleared medically. The issue is a tricky one for the Colts, whose $28 million option on Manning is due in March.
02.02.12
Peyton Manning (neck) has been cleared for football activities, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports.
Impact:
This news obviously does nothing to clear up questions about Manning will play in 2012, but at least his health is trending in the right direction at the moment.
01.31.12
Peyton Manning says he plans to return to playing football and is encouraged by his recovery from neck surgery. He said he expects to be eventually cleared by doctors in order to play. "I really feel good. I continue to make progress every day. Everything that the doctors have told me has been on point, which is encouraging to me," he told ESPN.
Impact:
Manning's interview with ESPN would seem to refute recent reports that his recovery isn't progressing and he may be forced to retire. Still, his health remains uncertain until he's actually cleared to play. The Colts face a decision in early March whether to pay him a $28 million bonus and most think he'll be released given his health.
01.30.12
Peyton Manning's neck injury doesn't appear to be progressing at enough of a rate to indicate that he will play again, two sources with knowledge of Manning's rehabilitation told Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports. While the vertebrae in his neck that were fused have healed, the nerves in his arm are not healing and he hasn't shown improvement in velocity while throwing the ball, the report adds.
Impact:
Cole's is the latest of several reports and speculation that Manning may need to retire, but most analysts say his recovery from spinal fusion surgery is unpredictable and he could improve quickly this spring. Still, most think he won't show enough progress with his injury in time for the Colts to consider paying a $28 million option bonus in March. In the meantime, expect continued speculation and unsourced reports on his health and Indy's decision making process.
01.29.12
Colts owner Jim Irsay denied a report from NFL Network's Jason La Canfora that the Colts decided to move on from Peyton Manning (neck) weeks ago. "No he hasn't been released nor was a decision reached weeks ago," Irsay said via his Twitter account.
Impact:
After a war of words in the media about Indy's recent decisions to change most of the coaching staff and GM, Irsay and Manning issued a joint statement Friday that they had a long talk and are committed to working together on the team's plan for 2012. Manning is due a $28 million option bonus in March and it's hard to see the Colts making that payment given Manning's uncertain health and with the ability to take Andrew Luck with the No.1 overall draft pick in April. La Canfora reports the Colts will make a move before the start of the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine, so we may get some news on Indy's decision soon.
01.27.12
Peyton Manning (neck) and Colts owner Jim Irsay had a war of words in the media Wednesday with Irsay saying Manning acted like a "politician" in giving an interview where he talked about his discomfort with the team's recent moves. Manning later responded by saying he wasn't trying to cast the Colts in a negative way, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Impact:
While the Colts seem set to move in a new direction at quarterback having cleared out the previous management (new GM, new head coach) and hinting they'll take Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick, there was always some thought that Manning and Irsay may sit down and figure out a way for Manning to remain with the team despite a $28 million option bonus in Manning's contract due in March, which will be hard to pay given that Manning's neck injury still clouds his 2012 status. Irsay's comments Wednseday would appear to indicate that he's decided that Manning won't be a part of the team's plan for the future, even though he previously said Manning would remain with the Colts if healthy.
01.24.12
Peyton Manning (neck) says he hasn't decided to retire and doesn't know which direction the Colts will go at quarterback next season. "One thing he [new Colts GM Ryan Grigson] kind-of, sort-of told me, without really wanting to tell me, was that [Colts owner Jim] Irsay will be the guy I'm going to sit down and talk with," Manning told the Indianapolis Star. "That's going to happen at some point, but we haven't had that conversation yet because we really don't need to have that conversation yet."
Impact:
Manning didn't offer an update on his health, other than to say he's been working out at the team facility each day. The Colts face a huge decision this offseason about their future at quarterback and it's not clear at this point which direction they're headed. Manning is due a $28 million option bonus in March and the Colts also are expected to take Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft. It sounds like Manning doesn't have much insight on the team's thinking, but much of the decision making will likely be based on his health the next six weeks.
01.22.12
The Dolphins are very interested in Peyton Manning (neck) should he become a free agent, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Omar Kelly.
Impact:
Manning, of course, would have quite a few teams interested in his services should he be medically cleared to play and released by the Colts. It seems that any team that misses out on Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin in the draft (Cleveland, Seattle, Miami, Washington, etc.) could make a play for Manning's services.
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