San Francisco 49ers Rumors: Peyton Manning Would be Significant Upgrade in Bay Area
Saturday, January 28, 2012
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| IndianapolisColts.com |
Senior Writer
When the 2011 NFL season began, few thought the San Francisco 49ers would be a mental mistake or two away from making a Super Bowl appearance.
Jim Harbaugh's team defied all of the odds and appear to be ready for a few more years of NFC West dominance.
The main question right now is whether or not Alex Smith will take another snap as the 49ers' starter. Smith signed a one-year deal prior to the season and will likely be looking for something a bit more long term.
On his way to leading the 49ers to a 13-3 record this past season, Smith completed 61.3 percent of his passes for 3,144 yards and threw 17 touchdown passes to only five interceptions.
Smith is coming off his best season as a pro, but unfortunately, his performance in the postseason finale could adversely affect his future in the Bay Area. In the 49ers' home loss to the New York Giants, Smith completed just one third down pass and was extremely inaccurate. While many will blame the 49ers' lack of talent at wide receiver for Smith's woes, would a top-tier quarterback be able to make those D and C grade players better?
The moment the season ended for the 49ers, many jumped to the conclusion that Smith would be re-signed long-term, but what if there is someone better out there? What if there were a quarterback out there with significant playoff experience? Would Harbaugh entertain the idea?
With the Indianapolis Colts-Peyton Manning saga spiraling out of control, perhaps the 49ers should give the elder Manning some serious consideration, obviously only if the 35-year old is healthy enough to suit up next season.
In the past few days, Colts owner Jim Irsay and Manning have verbally jousted in the media, with Irsay calling Manning a "politician" and Manning voicing his feelings on the team's recent personel moves.
Jim Harbaugh's team defied all of the odds and appear to be ready for a few more years of NFC West dominance.
The main question right now is whether or not Alex Smith will take another snap as the 49ers' starter. Smith signed a one-year deal prior to the season and will likely be looking for something a bit more long term.
On his way to leading the 49ers to a 13-3 record this past season, Smith completed 61.3 percent of his passes for 3,144 yards and threw 17 touchdown passes to only five interceptions.
Smith is coming off his best season as a pro, but unfortunately, his performance in the postseason finale could adversely affect his future in the Bay Area. In the 49ers' home loss to the New York Giants, Smith completed just one third down pass and was extremely inaccurate. While many will blame the 49ers' lack of talent at wide receiver for Smith's woes, would a top-tier quarterback be able to make those D and C grade players better?
The moment the season ended for the 49ers, many jumped to the conclusion that Smith would be re-signed long-term, but what if there is someone better out there? What if there were a quarterback out there with significant playoff experience? Would Harbaugh entertain the idea?
With the Indianapolis Colts-Peyton Manning saga spiraling out of control, perhaps the 49ers should give the elder Manning some serious consideration, obviously only if the 35-year old is healthy enough to suit up next season.
In the past few days, Colts owner Jim Irsay and Manning have verbally jousted in the media, with Irsay calling Manning a "politician" and Manning voicing his feelings on the team's recent personel moves.
As much as Irsay likes to call the Manning decision one of the family variety, it doesn't at all seem like it—any way you look at it.
Obviously we don't yet know if Manning will even be healthy enough to suit up in 2012, no matter the team. But we do know that the Colts are extremely unlikely to keep both Manning and their soon-to-be quarterback of the future, Andrew Luck.
Without playing a down last season, Manning received $26.4 million and is due a roster bonus of $28 million by the Colts on March 8. Common sense should tell you that the Colts won't keep both Luck and Manning. And given Luck comes at a much cheaper price, the decision to walk away should be easy.
Obviously there will be more than a few teams interested in Manning's services, but it is the 49ers who need to step up to the plate and make a deal happen.
Some say the 49ers' biggest need is at wide receiver, and that is mostly true. But if Manning were to be on the market, that need could shift. Look at it this way: Would you rather have three years of Smith or three years of Manning?
The answer seems fairly cut and dry, doesn't it? In the end, though, whether it's Smith or Manning, the 49ers have plenty of time to weigh options before decisions must be made.
And with the Super Bowl in Indianapolis on the horizon, Irsay and Manning will all but likely receive top billing throughout the week—so this story is not going away anytime soon.
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Obviously we don't yet know if Manning will even be healthy enough to suit up in 2012, no matter the team. But we do know that the Colts are extremely unlikely to keep both Manning and their soon-to-be quarterback of the future, Andrew Luck.
Without playing a down last season, Manning received $26.4 million and is due a roster bonus of $28 million by the Colts on March 8. Common sense should tell you that the Colts won't keep both Luck and Manning. And given Luck comes at a much cheaper price, the decision to walk away should be easy.
Obviously there will be more than a few teams interested in Manning's services, but it is the 49ers who need to step up to the plate and make a deal happen.
Some say the 49ers' biggest need is at wide receiver, and that is mostly true. But if Manning were to be on the market, that need could shift. Look at it this way: Would you rather have three years of Smith or three years of Manning?
The answer seems fairly cut and dry, doesn't it? In the end, though, whether it's Smith or Manning, the 49ers have plenty of time to weigh options before decisions must be made.
And with the Super Bowl in Indianapolis on the horizon, Irsay and Manning will all but likely receive top billing throughout the week—so this story is not going away anytime soon.
Follow National Football Authority on Twitter: @NFAuthority & @BearHeiser
For more NFL coverage, follow @NFA_NFL
Don't forget to "Like" NFA on Facebook, too!
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