Peyton Manning to the Bills?

by doctork44 on Jan 18, 2012 9:03 AM EST

This is my first fan post, so please be gentle.

This morning I was listening to the Mike and Mike show on ESPN radio. The topic of possible landing spots came up for the future Hall of Fame candidate Peyton Manning. Mike Greenberg gave his top 4 possible choices; Arizona, Tennessee, Minnesota, and Kansas City. Now I'll admit , I think all of these places are potentially great landing spots for Manning, but there is one team they failed to mention. Guess who!

That's right ladies and gentleman; our Buffalo Bills. Now of course the likely hood if this happening is slim to none and it's primarily not because of "football reasons", but mainly due to perception more than anything. The perception that Bills can't attract free agents; the cold weather, and the instability of the franchise after the death of owner Ralph Wilson. Now those are legitimate reasons why a Peyton Manning wouldn't come to Buffalo, but none of those are football reasons. If you alleviate all the non-football related reasons, are our Bills a great landing Spot for Manning? I'll say so; reasons after the jump.

I'll attempt to give you some reasons why this could work out, if Manning considers Buffalo for the "right" reasons.

(1) Cap

As you know, the Bills are way under the salary cap right now. We have money to pay a Peyton Manning and also get him some help on the offensive end. There are a couple of Free Agent receivers out there that you can get for the right price, one in particular that Manning is familiar with is Reggie Wayne. Pairing Wayne up with Stevie Johnson can be a great tandem. They can also look to get a Wes Welker, as he can be the type of slot receiver Manning is use to having (Collie, Stokley). Now of course Stevie contract can become an issue, but if he decides to play somewhere else, the 6-7mil we would've paid him, we could pay another receiver.

(2) Draft

The Bills have a top 10 pick, they can use this pick to draft a reliable and 1st day starter in a LT. This will protect Manning's blind side, and now you are looking at one of the better offensive lines. Young and talented with an anchor is the middle

(3) Current Roster

Manning was at his best when he had a dual threat RB to give the ball to. He had E. James and J. Addai; both of these guys were very versatile backs. Backs that could run the ball and catch the ball out of the back field. Currently we have two of the better backs in the league, that are versatile in this manner. He also has a red zone threat in David Nelson, and if we resign Chandler he will have another.

(4) What happens to Fitz?

Well if Manning is a Bill, that means Fitzpatrick won't be the starter in Buffalo. Now I won't pretend that I know the details of Fitz contract, but I believe I read somewhere that he can be released and it wouldn't be a major blow to the salary cap. If this is the case, then we can send Fitz packing and look for a young developmental QB in this years draft.

(5) Defense

Now its no secret that our Defense needs to improve, but I'm 100% sure if the problem is pure talent or scheme. Just take a look at the Texans. They go from being one of the worst Defenses to one of the top rated defenses, with the hiring of Wade Phillips. Hopefully, with Wannstedt as the new DC and the maturation of some of younger guys our D can and should improve.

6) Free Agent/Trade

The idea of getting a healthy Manning is a great idea, but the truth is he is currently under contract. If the Colts choose to do whats right for Manning and flat our release him; Manning will be free to sign with any team. The chances he chooses the Bills are highly unlikely, and unfortunately for us this is the only way in which I think he lands in Buffalo. I don't think the Bills will trade away valuable assets to get a Peyton Manning who may or may not be healthy, but the good news is, I'm not sure if any team will take that risk. Think about it, what is a 36 year old QB who had two neck surgeries worth?

Final Thought:

I'm a firm believer that in order to win in this league you need a top 10 signal caller, PERIOD!! I feel we will go as far as our QB takes us. With a healthy Manning, I believe he can and will take this team to another level. And quite honestly, we have the players in place to really contend next year. With one or two more pieces on offense, and a Peyton Manning we can be well on our way. What are your thoughts Bills Nation?

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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Comments

Ha ha

How is that for the same topic minutes a part…

How come I always get blamed for everything I do ?

Dennis the Menace

by Goose22 on Jan 18, 2012 9:35 AM EST reply actions

lol

That’s awesome. Great minds think a like…

by doctork44 on Jan 18, 2012 9:45 AM EST reply actions

I pulled mine...

I couldn’t get mine to separate the paragraphs…. I’ll put some of my thoughts into yours.

Now that the Colts have rid themselves of the Polian family, hired a new GM, fired coach Caldwell and have the #1 pick in all rounds of the up coming draft now seems like the time to cut the cord with Manning. All indications are the Colts won’t pay Manning the $28 million he has coming due and the fact that QB Luck is the hottest QB prospect coming out- well since Manning it looks like the Colts will be going in another direction.

So many positives—His leadership alone would help the Bills get over the hump and show them how to win. Chan is a QB friendly coach and would get along with Peyton. Weapons such as Freddy, Stevie, CJ, Chandler would be utilized to the max not to mention role players such as Nelson and Roosevelt. He would give the Bills an opportunity to continue building the defense while he directs the offense. The Bills would definitely need to draft a QB to groom under him but wouldn’t that be the best scenario…

I know I’m being wishful but in the past did I think the Bills had a chance get OJ~No, did I think that they could sign coach Knox~No, did I think Kelly would ever play here~No, did I think they would ever make a SuperBowl (much less 4 in a row)~No and finally did I ever think they would go 12 years without making the playoffs~No No No!

It is time for this franchise to think outside the box and make of move that wows the fans. Manning would be worth every penny the Bills would have to cough up!!!

Like many I’m sick of following my favorite team that is dull and has made a habit of losing, it is time to be bold and change the culture!!!!!

How come I always get blamed for everything I do ?

Dennis the Menace

by Goose22 on Jan 18, 2012 9:51 AM EST up reply actions

One Name

Drew Bledsoe. Been there done that, kinda. I’d pass on Manning for youth. Please don’t attack me:) I post in peace.

The Sum Of A Franchise Is Directly Proportionate To The Talent Of Franchise's QB. Get A QB OBD!

by buffalobacker on Jan 18, 2012 9:18 PM EST up reply actions

Peace be with you!

Bledsoe was on the downside of his career, he was never the same after taking that vicious hit in the Jet game. He never was very mobile in the pocket…

Manning is still at the top of his game and slides away from traffic in the pocket…

How come I always get blamed for everything I do ?

Dennis the Menace

by Goose22 on Jan 19, 2012 7:51 AM EST up reply actions

And yet

Which QB holds the Bills single season passing yardage record?

"If You Ain't a Bill I Don't Give a Fxck Bout Ya!! Most Disrespected Team in NFL! I Always feel Disrespected! I'm All In!" -- Steve Johnson

by go_buff on Jan 19, 2012 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Unfortunately

It was his last hurrah… Drew was a class act all the way and he gave us hope at the time.

How come I always get blamed for everything I do ?

Dennis the Menace

by Goose22 on Jan 19, 2012 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

Some great points Goose

IF he could come here without a steep price (compensation wise) Even 3 or 3 good years from a once Elite QB (and perhaps still elite) could be exciting for the whole team and their fans. The team could learn to be consistent winners, the WR’s could receive a bump in their learning curves and stats, the fans could have something genuine to cheer about for a change.

Seems like something worth exploring if the opportunity arose. The chance to play Brady twice a season may be enticing, The cold weather may not be a hurdle – he has afterall been linked to the Jets.

It's close to Midnight, somethings lurking in the backfield. Under the Bright Lights he cuts so fast it almost stops your heart. You start to scream, but he's in the End Zone before you make it. You're Paralysed.

Cause it's CJ Spiller - all Frickin Night, and no-ones gonna save you from the Beast that just struck ya. You know it's CJ Spiller ! You're fighting for your life against the Spiller Thriller tonight !

by Will G on Jan 19, 2012 3:36 PM EST up reply actions

(1) Would probably be feasible, and if not Wayne, Meachem would probably be useful.
(2) LT would be good here. Still might be tempted to date a DT or DE and just try to make our D one notch better (scheme I think will help like you mention in (5), but I feel we’re missing a pass rush outside of our DTs).
(3) Offensively, outside of adding one WR like you said, and probably a LT, we could do well with Manning.
(4) IIRC you’re right about Fitz and getting out of his contract.
(5) IMO we’re still missing a pass rush in either scheme but we could find that in the 2nd round
(6) It would be risky but a move I can get behind.

What I don’t get is why they said the Vikings. Outside of AP and Percy Harvin, the Vikings have nothing on offense. Harvin is good but he’s not exactly dominant. And their O-Line? Manning would need another neck surgery half way through the season playing behind that. On D they have Jared Allen and Kevin Williams, plus a couple of solid LBs and then nothing. There D is falling apart, and their offense sucks outside of two skill players.

If anyone was to make a play for Manning, San Fran should do it. They have the D, and they have solid WRs to go along with a good running game and a fantastic TE. Alex Smith still only looks like a game manager to me, but with Peyton Manning I think they could almost be shoehorned into the 2013 NFC Champ game.

As of 1/17/2012
No longer feeding the Buffalo Rumblings resident troll.
No longer responding to said trolls passive aggressive posts.
Not even if he baits by replying to a comment of my own.
Not even if his reply is devoid of all logic and assumes opinion as fact.

by NordicBillsfan on Jan 18, 2012 10:09 AM EST reply actions

*take. No idea where date a DT came from (/shudder).

by NordicBillsfan on Jan 18, 2012 10:10 AM EST up reply actions

The VIkes was mentioned

mainly because they play 9 games a season in a Dome; 8 at home and 1 at the Lions.

by doctork44 on Jan 18, 2012 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

I guy can dream, right?

Rrrawrrrr, rrrawrrr like a dungeon dragon-Busta Rhymes
"Maybe i'm talking fast or your just listening slow"

by Moe_frm_B_ on Jan 18, 2012 10:20 AM EST reply actions

The only reason I can think of Manning wanting to play in Buffalo is to take on Tom Brady on a regular basis. Other than that, I have no idea where he’d land.

I find this whole situation to be terrible. If Manning doesn’t miss the season, the Colts aren’t drafting Luck and they aren’t firing people…and saying goodbye to the best thing to happen to their (Indy-based) franchise. I hope he comes back next season and tears it up. And I hope Andrew Luck bombs for them.

"Go check on the ribs!"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 18, 2012 12:26 PM EST reply actions

Let’s pick up Manning, Favre, and see if Tarkenton will slap the pads on one more time. We might be able to make it through half a season without singing another QB!

by Ian MacPersonoid on Jan 18, 2012 12:55 PM EST reply actions

*signing. Although, a singing QB might be worth a look…

by Ian MacPersonoid on Jan 18, 2012 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

hilarious

Rrrawrrrr, rrrawrrr like a dungeon dragon-Busta Rhymes
"Maybe i'm talking fast or your just listening slow"

by Moe_frm_B_ on Jan 18, 2012 1:15 PM EST up reply actions

Doug Flutie sings a bit…and drums a lot.

"Go check on the ribs!"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 18, 2012 3:17 PM EST up reply actions

I’m very happy you refrained from making a flute pun.

"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.

by stetzwebs on Jan 18, 2012 4:38 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

But

I’m tempted lol

flayed ones stealth mode

"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."

by mob16151 on Jan 18, 2012 6:27 PM EST up reply actions

Putting the Bills aside for a moment, if I were Peyton Manning and/or the Colts, I think the smartest move for both the Colts and Manning would be for Indy to make Manning the next offensive coordinator. At the very least, he should be Luck’s QB coach, but his knowledge of offense is so extensive, I wonder if he could deal with coaching behind a different OC.

Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin. -- stetzwebs
No one circles the waiver wire like the Buffalo Bills!

by thefourwinds on Jan 18, 2012 1:05 PM EST reply actions

I could see that happening, only if Peyton could never play football again.

However, I just don’t see his career as being over yet. He still has another 3 great years of football left in him.

Is this your homework, Larry?

by Schooled You on Jan 18, 2012 1:20 PM EST up reply actions

I just wonder if, having young children, the Ring, all the money he will ever need, and an example (his father) before him to show him this is life after playing in the NFL, he might decide it’s just not worth it.

Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin. -- stetzwebs
No one circles the waiver wire like the Buffalo Bills!

by thefourwinds on Jan 18, 2012 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

The truth of the matter is,

if there is one team out there that can go from last to first with Manning at QB is the Buffalo Bills..On offense, I’m pretty confident about every position (if WR is added) except QB and LT. Draft a LT and get Manning…We can compete and put up points against anybody..

by doctork44 on Jan 18, 2012 1:06 PM EST reply actions

? One team?

Jets? Texans (supposing they cleared cap)? Cowboys? Miami? Tennessee (where Peyton went to college? sure…. NONE of these teams are “last” per say, but then… neither are the Bills.

ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE

by ThaRealTruth on Jan 18, 2012 2:05 PM EST up reply actions

If the timing was a little different,

I would almost put money on the Jets signing him, but they’ll probably give Sanchez another year to see if he can perform better with a new OC.

by brooklynbills on Jan 18, 2012 3:00 PM EST reply actions

I’m not so sure about that. Rex Ryan might be faced with a very lofty goal next year and Manning would put him in far better position to get there than The Dirty One.

"Go check on the ribs!"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 18, 2012 3:20 PM EST up reply actions

I can’t imagine Manning wanting to play for Rex Ryan.

Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin. -- stetzwebs
No one circles the waiver wire like the Buffalo Bills!

by thefourwinds on Jan 18, 2012 4:56 PM EST up reply actions

True.

And Woody Johnson loves to take some headlines away from the Giants. That’s one way to do it.

by brooklynbills on Jan 18, 2012 4:57 PM EST up reply actions

No way

Manning goes to that zoo with a defensive minded coach and players that are turning on each other.

How come I always get blamed for everything I do ?

Dennis the Menace

by Goose22 on Jan 18, 2012 3:38 PM EST up reply actions

Rec'd

A very thought provoking post. Well done, Doctor!

"A deaf person can hear better than a ignorant person."- Unknown Comedian

by blknites on Jan 18, 2012 3:57 PM EST reply actions

Assuming, arguendo, that Manning is no longer a Colt, then a team from the AFC East would have an edge by virtue of Peyton not having to give his brother a loss over the next three years. I believe that is important to him.

When the job is finished no one remembers how long it took, just how well it was performed.

by Buffalo for Eternity on Jan 18, 2012 8:51 PM EST reply actions

this Peyton stuff....

has to stop… He’s a what… 36 year old QB?? Coming off a major injury problem? Would cost our team not only MAJOR cash, but MAJOR draft picks?

Move on folks… nothing to see here…

Some team, may be desperate enough to pull the trigger before their team gets too old, or blown up, but a smart team will stay the course… A play for him by Washington would seem about right, knowing Snyder’s history and Shanny’s desire to prove his worth… Not as bad off might be the Jests, and Ryan still trying to prove he knows how to coach overpaid and reject players…

Nix??? He MIGHT ask what the market price is, but we are committed to building through the draft with a few middling FA on the way. I see no way we go beyond a cursory inquiry into him…

Optimistic??? Of course I am!! I'm a Bills fan, and as of right now, we are undefeated on the regular season!!!
Things are truly looking up!!!

by Cinga on Jan 18, 2012 9:20 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

I think you missing the point Cinga

No one is talking about trading for Manning…I’m simply talking about if Manning is released. He then becomes a FA, free to sign anywhere. Is he not worth signing? Signing him does not limit you from drafting anyone…In fact, it doesn’t even stun the growth of a young QB, because we don’t have any…If a “healthy” Manning can be had for the right price, we should be a real candidate.

by doctork44 on Jan 19, 2012 7:09 AM EST up reply actions

I’d pass on Peyton. We’re building something from the ground up that will take another season or two to jell. Why would we plug in a great QB whose best days are past? It might bring short-term excitement, but isn’t a long-term plan. I want to see us rise slowly and unstoppably.

by JapanJohn on Jan 19, 2012 1:33 AM EST reply actions

If Manning is signed

I’m with the Dr., strictly wanting Manning if he is a FA not giving up draft picks… He would give the Bills instant credibility and make them a playoff contender… That would be attractive enough to draw top level FA’s as the Bills continue to build throught the draft!

but isn’t a long-term plan. I want to see us rise slowly and unstoppably.

The Bills have been trying to rise into playoff contention since “99”…

How come I always get blamed for everything I do ?

Dennis the Menace

by Goose22 on Jan 19, 2012 7:59 AM EST reply actions

yeah right

Even though I am not sold on Fitz…I would take him over Manning.

Manning should hang up his cleats. He has had neck surgery and one good hit to him he is done for life. I am not sold on Fitz by no means but I am sold on the fact that Mannings career is done. I mean I understand he has been playing this game his whole life and it would be weird not to have Peyton in a uniform but come on…this is his life he and his team are messing with..he can go to any team and be an amazing QB coach for one of the young QBs like Andy Dalton, Josh Freeman, and even Andrew Luck. Good luck Manning!

Now if you are talking about Eli…..in a heart beat!

by Jeremy Galton on Jan 19, 2012 8:07 AM EST reply actions

He is 35 and has a bad neck!

Hardly somebody that you would spend a ton of money on while rebuilding.

by BuffaloWhiner on Jan 19, 2012 12:01 PM EST reply actions

Besides, Peyton Manning's retiring

Well, according to Rob Lowe, anyway . . .

"If You Ain't a Bill I Don't Give a Fxck Bout Ya!! Most Disrespected Team in NFL! I Always feel Disrespected! I'm All In!" -- Steve Johnson

by go_buff on Jan 19, 2012 1:08 PM EST reply actions

No way

The guy’s head is gonna roll off his head. I can picture us trading for him. He is sitting at the table at our press conference and a gust of wind blows his head off. Chan and Nix jump up, put a bag over the lifeless body of Peyton and keep saying the same thing:
“Nothing to see here.”
“Please move along. The press conference has to be cut short.”

by satyr on Jan 19, 2012 1:49 PM EST reply actions

I’m a firm believer that in order to win in this league you need a top 10 signal caller, PERIOD!!

Joe Flacco, Alex Smith and their D’s disagree with you !

Overall though an interesting post, but it’s unlikely the Colts would flat out release Peyton – even is that was his wish.

by Will G on Jan 19, 2012 3:31 PM EST reply actions

straight on Will

this year has been the year of the pass rush so far. If anything, all those people saying pass rush is most important have been proven right. Pass rush makes great QB’s do bad things. Good defenses make great players make mistakes, ask the Green Bay wide receivers.

by satyr on Jan 19, 2012 3:40 PM EST up reply actions