When the NFL free agency period opened on Monday, March 5, both the New York Jets and Washington Redskins thought they had a realistic chance of signing future hall-of-famer Peyton Manning.  By Saturday morning, both teams were reported out of the Peyton Manning free agency race; making other big time moves instead

The Jets made no excuses earlier this week that they were flirting with free agent Peyton Manning, even if it meant hurting Mark Sanchez’s feelings. But once they realized that a Jets-Peyton Manning marriage wasn’t in the cards, the Jets immediately kissed and made up with Sanchez with a 3 year contract extension that includes a guaranteed $20.5 million.  With this new contract the Jets agreed in principal to a 3 year, $40.5 million extension on top of the two years he had remaining on his old contract.  I’m sure this 5-year $58.25 million deal has soothed Sanchez feelings.

Another team that was seeking the services of Manning was the Washington Redskins. But late yesterday, FOX sports reported that the Skins had decided to pass on free agent Peyton Manning but made a big move by swapping draft picks with the St. Louis Rams to acquire the second pick in the upcoming 2012 NFL draft.  It is highly anticipated that the Redskins will pick Baylor quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner  Rober Griffin III.

According to sources familiar with the Peyton Manning free agency market, 6 teams remain in the hunt.  The oddsmakers have the Miami Dolphins as the favorite, at EVEN odds. Next are the Denver Broncos – 3/1, Arizona Cardinals – 4/1, Kansas City Chiefs – 6/1, Houston Texans – 10/1 and the San Francisco 49ers – 10/1.

Peyton Manning has said he plan to make a decision by next week.  Expect Peyton to stay in the AFC.

sources: New York Post, FOX Sports, thebleacherreport.com

There are two schools of thought for picking playing in the NFL draft.  You can go after the best player available or get the best player available to fill the team’s weakness.  If  you subscribe to the latter, the 2012 NFL draft could end up being the year of the offensive lineman.  I predict that 4 of the first 8 picks will be offensive lineman.

Most Draft experts agree that the first two picks will be quarterbacks; Andrew Luck to the Colts at #1 and Robert Griffin III to the Browns at #2 but 4 of the next 8 picks could very well be offensive lineman.  Here’s why:

The Minnesota Viking have the third pick. They finished the 2011 season at 3-13.  They scored 340 ppg while giving up 449.  Their offensive line was ranked 28th, giving up 49 sacks and 76 QB hits.
Other offensive statistics: Tot Offense: 18th 21.2 ppg, Tot Pass: 28th Tot Rush: 4th.
Obviously the Vikings need some help up front. Yes, they gave up a lot of points but they need to score some too.  Although they ranked 4th in offensive rushing, the Giants finished last but won the Super Bowl.
The Vikings critical need is an offensive lineman who excels in the passing offense.
The best offensive lineman in the draft is Junior offensive tackle from USC, Matt Kalil. Matt is 6-6 and weighs 295 pounds.
The selection of Kalil is the smart move. One will have an immediate impact on the Vikings offense.
Offensive lineman pick #1

The Saint Louis Rams have the fourth pick in the draft.  They finished at 2-14, scoring 193 points while giving up a whopping 407 ppg.  Their offensive line is ranked last. In 2011 they allowed 55 sacks and 114 QB hits.  Other offensive statistics: Tot Offense: 31st 15.2 ppg, Tot Pass: 30th Tot Rush: 23rd.
Oh boy, the Rams need help on offense and defense. Unfortunately, no defensive lineman or linebacker is expected to go in the top 10 picks. So the Rams should go after a running back or offensive lineman.
If they go for a running back, Junior running back from Alabama, Trent Richardson, is the best running back available.  Because the Rams are ranked 30th overall against the pass, picking an offensive lineman could be enticing.  The Rams couldn’t go wrong if they used the 4th pick to select Junior Offensive Tackle, Riley Reiff.  Riley stands at 6-6 and weighs 300 pounds.
Offensive lineman pick #2

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Could the Miami Dolphins be quarterback surfing in Indianapolis? It’s no secret that the Fish are looking to upgrade at the QB position immediately. To support this claim, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Tuesday, citing multiple league sources, that the Dolphins do not intend to make their current starting quarterback, Chad Henne, an offer when free agency begins in March.

Is Henne’s backup, Matt Moore in the picture to take over the reins? Moore took over in Week 4 after Henne suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery. Moore threw for 2,497 yards, 16 TDs and 9 interceptions. Many NFL experts do not believe that Moore has what it takes to be a full time NFL QB.

If that’s the case, the Dolphins only have 2 choices to find a QB good enough to start on Week 1 of the 2012 NFL season. They can take their chances in the 2012 NFL Draft or they can go after Peyton Manning through free agency.

The Dolphins chances of getting an elite QB in the 2012 Draft are almost nil. The Dolphins have the 5th pick. The two best QB’s in the draft, Stanford’s Andrew Luck and Baylors Robert Griffin III, will be taken with the first 2 picks. Then there’s a significant dropoff at the QB position. Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill, projected by many as the 3rd best QB in the draft, is a work in progress and has played QB in 19 games in a spread offense.

The Dolphins need to use their 5th round pick to find an offensive lineman who can make an immediate impact. The Fish offensive line ranked 30th overall in 2011, allowing 52 sacks and 95 QB hits. At the fifth spot, the Dolphins have a great chance of getting Iowa OT Riley Reiff, Stanford OG David DeCastro or Stanford OT Jonathan Martin. Either one can immediately start and make the offensive line better.

So, the Dolphins are left surfing for a QB during the free agency period.

Green Bay Packer backup QB Matt Flynn, is a possible target. Flynn was picked in the 7th round of the 2007 NFL draft. His career NFL statistics show a QB rating of 92.8 with 9 TDs and 5 interceptions. Matt’s claim to fame is that he threw 6 TD passes in the last game of the 2011 regular season against the Detroit Lions. Sorry, I can’t see him as the answer to the Dolphins QB situation.

That leaves good old Peyton Manning. Although Colts owner Jim Irsay has made overtures to once again negotiate with Peyton, it is highly unlikely he will be a Colt next season.

Miami and Peyton could actually made a deal between March 1 and March 8, when Peyton Manning is a “street” free agent. This is the time where Peyton can deal with any time. March 8 is the deadline the Colts have to pay Manning the $28 million bonus to retain his service.

There are many concerns about the health of Peyton Manning but his doctors have ok’d his return to pro football. There are plenty of rumors that his passing ability has been seriously affected. But there are no facts to support it.

So the question is, “would the Dolphins be better with Peyton Manning at the helm?”. Of course they would, and I’m sure they have plans to go QB surfing in Indiana when free agency begins. The bigger question is would Peyton be willing to play in Miami?

That is the question!

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