Picking Manning's next stop

Peyton Manning’s best revenge would be winning the Super Bowl next season.

Revenge will almost certainly not be a dish on the menu Wednesday when Manning and the Colts’ owner, Jim Irsay, are expected to hold a joint news conference and announce an amicable parting of ways. But maybe you’ve noticed over the years that Manning is a competitive fellow. In 1998, when the Colts were still considering drafting Ryan Leaf, Manning told Bill Polian and Jim Mora Sr.: “I’d really like to come here if you want me. But if you don’t, I promise you I’ll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years.”

If Manning’s health continues to improve and he plays next season, he won’t say something similar, but he may think it.

So it’s a fair guess that Manning will choose his next destination based on who gives him the best chance to win.

Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports ranks the 12 contenders, and it’s worth looking at the whole thing:

His top 5:
1) Houston
2) San Francisco
3) Denver
4) Washington
5) Miami

Houston and San Francisco, with top defenses and solid running games, are ready to win a Super Bowl next season. Yes, that would entail a major roster disruption — Matt Schaub would be moved out in Houston, Alex Smith in San Francisco. But would the 49ers have lost to the Giants in the N.F.C. title game had Manning been the quarterback?

Schaub has had injury problems and hasn’t won a playoff game, and Manning could play the Colts twice a season as a Texan.

Silver may have Miami too low, and Denver and Washington too high. (Manning doesn’t need Tebowmania or Daniel Snyder.) The Jets are listed at No. 7, which seems about right. The Jets will be interested, but Manning will skip the circus.

This article was written by Toni Monkovic and appeared in the New York Times.

Posted by Necesitamos Mas Football on 12:47 p. m.. Filed under gallery , noticias , Payton Manning , principal . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0