I can only imagine what it feels like to be the biggest NFL free agent in history and have teams slobbering all over me and throwing millions my way. Which team do I choose? What a dilemma! This is the scenario that Peyton Manning was stuck with once the Indianapolis Colts decided to part ways with him.
Why would any team be interested in a 36-year-old quarterback who has undergone four neck surgeries in the past year and whose future is questionable? He has not played in a game since January 2011. They are interested because he is an 11-time pro-bowler, a six-time AFC player of the year, a Super Bowl winner and MVP, and a certain first-round future hall of famer. Peyton Manning is the best of his generation and the opportunity to build a team around a player of this caliber does not come around very often.
John Elway understood this. He was the player of his generation. The Denver Hall of Fame quarterback and current general manager of the Broncos knows what it takes to build a winning team. He wooed Manning and was able to sell the Mile High City and the Broncos to the former Colts quarterback.
Elway believes that Manning can take the team to the highest level. He did not have that confidence in his old quarterback, Tim Tebow.
Elway understood that he would have a big problem letting go of Tim. Tebowmania is a strong force in the Rocky Mountain state, and Elway gambled that signing a player of Manning’s magnitude would get him off the hook.
There is no denying that Tebow energized the Bronco team and took them to the playoffs. Elway admired him for that but still believed that Tebow lacked the fundamentals that he believed were necessary to perform at a higher level in the NFL.
Tebow is more of a personality than a player, and Manning has the ability to transform 52 players into playing at their highest level.
Manning’s decision was not about the money. Bud Adams, owner of the Tennessee Titans, would have met or exceeded Denver’s offer. Peyton had to feel comfortable with his new team, and Elway understood that. Elway connects with Manning in their similar circumstances.
He won two Super Bowls at ages 37 and 38 and understands the difficulties Peyton will face in preparing himself for playing at the highest level.
Elway will serve more as a peer for Manning than a boss. He will be happy to sit back and let Peyton do his thing. He has total confidence in him.
With Tebow on the Jets, Rex Ryan may learn to control his tongue a little better.
If not, their lockeroom interactions might be just a little awkward.
