An easy decision for Manning

This has been an obvious end to a great run by Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Ownership had to do what was best for their franchise and really this was what was best for Peyton. 

The Colts are going to be a bottom dweller team next year with or without Peyton and Andrew Luck. The team is lacking in almost every facet of the game and really needs another first round pick next year to get things going. 

So while this may not have been an easy announcement for either party, it was most definitely an easy decision for each. 

I mean how perfect is it that when Peyton is at the end of his career the Colts just happen to finish with the worst record in the league in time to draft the best quarterback prospect since Peyton himself.? That’s kind of crazy, right? Especially considering the fact that Luck went back to college for one more year to make this whole thing happen. 

The door is open for the Colts to start another dynasty like the one that was built with Peyton. If Luck turns out to be half of the quarterback he’s been hyped to be than the Colts will be a playoff team for years to come. 

But it won’t happen quickly, and at age 36 Peyton needs to go to a team that will help him win another Super Bowl to match his brother Eli and establish himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. He doesn’t have time to waste while he rebuilds a mediocre team. He needs to step in somewhere that can win now. 

I heard someone say this morning that the Seattle Seahawks would be a great fit for him. They have a good defense and play in a winnable division where Peyton would almost certainly guarantee them a shot in the playoffs. If they could then bring in Pierre Garcon and Reggie Wayne to help give Peyton some familiar surroundings, this team could contend for a championship. 

I also like the suggestion of the Arizona Cardinals. They aren’t far from a trip to the Super Bowl themselves with an aging former Super Bowl winning quarterback (Kurt Warner). There he would have one of the best receivers in the game to throw to in Larry Fitzgerald. And their defense is pretty good as well. 

The Redskins and Dolphins have also been thrown out there but I don’t think they’re the right fit for Peyton or are ready to contend in their divisions. 

The Houston Texans would also be another contender that Peyton could implement himself into quickly and win. It would also be within the same division as the Colts to make things really interesting. I don’t know if they would be able to run his style of offense there. The Texans are more of a run first and defensive minded team. 

The point is there are a lot of teams out there that Peyton can play for, if he is ruled healthy to play, and compete for a championship. It won’t be easy for him to leave the city that drafted him and a stadium he helped build and grow, but soon enough he’ll realize this was a great day for him and he’ll thank ownership for making this difficultly easy decision. 

You can follow Jake on Twitter at: @j8a1k0e or on his MLB Braves blog at: http://bravesandmore.mlblogs.com