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

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!

More on Are The Miami Dolphins QB Surfing In Indianapolis?

The 2009 NFL Free Agency began today, Friday, February 27, 2009 at 12:01 AM EST and the Denver Broncos have wasted no time getting busy. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Brian Dawkins, the free agent safety of the Philadelphia Eagles, has agreed to a deal with the Broncos and will hold a press conference on Saturday. However, ESPN.com refutes the report and says the deal is not yet completed.

Brian Dawkins is no spring chicken and at 35 years old there are questions about his ability to have a positive impact the Broncos defense.  In addition, the Broncos already have two starting safeties in Marlon McCree and Vernon Fox.

According to scouting reports, Dawkins is not the player he was a few years ago but still has the leadership qualities that could benefit the Broncos.

Dawkins, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, is a member of the Philadelphia Eagles 75th Anniversary Team and 20/20 Club. He was selected by Philadelphia in the second round (61st pick) of the 1996 NFL Draft out of Clemson.

This deal is definitely not done and some football analysts are questioning whether the deal will be consummated.  We will know the outcome in less than 24 hours.