Peyton Manning Cleared To Play

By Matt McLear February 3rd 2012




If you haven't turned on any sports channel today or looked at any website pertaining sports and somehow made your way here first Peyton Manning has been cleared to play football again.

This news kind of shocked me today. I honestly expected Peyton to never be able to play football again or at least have some kind of announcement if he could or could not play a couple months down the road. The announcement came today just days before Super Bowl XLVI that his current team Indianapolis is hosting. Is this some kind of media play to try and get an already excited Indianapolis city more excited knowing now their QB has been cleared? Much like a Buffalo Bills fan my gut feeling says the Colts will be let down.

They have the number 1 pick in the NFL draft this year and have pretty much told the world they plan to draft Andrew Luck. Colts owner Jim Irsay tweeted after hearing that Manning was cleared "Peyton has not passed our physical nor has he been cleared to play for The Indianapolis Colts." Isray and Manning have been battling through the media as of late giving a feeling that it could be time for Manning and the Colts to part ways. Is this the best choice for the franchise?

Personally I think the best situation for their franchise is if Manning can play you let him play. Luck could become a great NFL QB gaining valuable knowledge sitting behind and practicing with Peyton. Granted Luck could come in a starter this year and do great things but with the hype and pressure having to instantly have success he doesn't have a lot of room for failure. He would also have to come in and win over the locker room, Peyton's locker room.

I think a real issue besides if Manning can get to where he was before the injury, is the money. Manning if remains a Colt will receive a $28 million option bonus that will trigger the final four years of a five-year, $90 million contract he signed before the 2011 season. The quarterback already received $26 million as part of that deal. There is no way to tell exactly what contract Luck will sign but if it's anything like Sam Bradford's 6 year $78 million dollar contract, Luck would be making around that if not more so let's say $15 million his first year. Can the Colts afford to pay 2 players $43 million? 2 players would receive more than a third of the $120 million salary cap. The Colt's 2011 salary was $97 million.

If the Colts release Manning he would become a free agent and with the NFL's signing period to start March 13th, Manning could be a free agent as early as next week. Reports say that the Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, and possibly the New York Jets are front runners to sign Peyton.

It appears that even after Super Bowl XLVI is over with we will still have something to look forward to in the NFL. Even though my team has no chance of getting Peyton it's still exciting as a fan of the game to see where one of the all time greats is going to play in 2012. My gut feeling says Peyton will find a new home in 2012. I would love to hear where you guys think he will go. So comment back or email me at 30mclear44@gmail.com with your predictions.