Where Will Manning Land?

Let’s look at the teams that are no longer in the Manning sweepstakes:

Arizona, Seattle, Miami, Washington

With this is mind the final 3 teams will be: Denver, San Francisco, and Tennessee in that order.

Now why does each team make sense?

–Denver– actually a rather stripped down offense that needs help. The WR core is average at best and just lost a rising talent in TE Fells to New England. The RB are above average and certainly better than any that Indianapolis previously had with Manning. The highlight of this team is an experienced defense that has great pass rushing ends. This defense carried Denver last season and plays well together. The Denver front office also has a huge amount of cap space available and can easily accommodate Manning. I would give Denver a 70-75% chance of landing Manning if they are willing to spend.

–San Francisco– This team is the best of the available teams in terms of total talent. Good WRs, Great TE, Great RB, Top 3 Defense and a lights out kicker. The major downside to San Francisco is the cap and the willingness of Harbaugh to turn his offense over to Manning. Their is also the dynamic of having to face Eli possibly in a playoff that may way on Peyton’s mind (as NYG have a lot of talent on their roster). This added with the strength of the NFC in general makes the entire conference less appealing. Facing Rodgers, Eli Manning, Romo, Vick, Brees, Stafford, Cutler etc is quite daunting. The NFC has a group of QBs in the 27-34 range that are seemingly getting better every year, which may be a turn off. Chance to sign 20%.

–Tennessee– I really was surprised to see this team was not being considered like the first two. Great WRs, Good TE, Great RB Good Defense, Good Kicker. This team has it all and could challenge for a spot in the playoffs. What is not to like is a newer HC and strong competition from division opponent Houston. Their is also the issue of QBs Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Lokehart on roster. I highly doubt they can land Manning chance is sub 5%.

Combine 2012 LB’s

LB	University	40	Bench	Vertical	Broad	3 cone	20yd Shuttle	60yd Shuttle
Mychal Kendricks	California	4.47	24	39.5	127	N/A	4.19	N/A
Zach Brown	North Carolina	4.5	N/A	33.5	116	N/A	N/A	N/A
Luke Kuechly	Boston College	4.58	27	38	123	6.92	4.12	11.43
Demario Davis	Arkansas St.	4.61	32	38.5	124	7.19	4.28	11.65
Nigel Bradham	Florida St.	4.64	24	37	121	7.18	4.37	N/A
Najee Goode	West Virginia	4.64	N/A	35.5	117	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lavonte David	Nebraska	4.65	19	36.5	119	7.28	4.22	N/A
Dont’a Hightower	Alabama	4.68	N/A	32	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
J-M Johnson	Nevada	4.68	23	37	124	7.34	4.37	12.06
Ronnell Lewis	Oklahoma	4.68	36	31	112	7.09	4.4	N/A
Tank Cedar	TCU	4.69	19	34.5	121	6.89	4.18	11.53
Tahir Whitehead	Temple	4.7	21	37	124	7.14	4.37	N/A
Sean Spence	Miami	4.71	12	33.5	119	7.46	4.28	N/A
Emmanuel Acho	Texas	4.73	24	35.5	118	N/A	N/A	N/A
Tyler Nielsen	Iowa	4.74	21	N/A	N/A	7.27	4.31	11.43
Darius Fleming	Notre Dame	4.77	27	33.5	114	7.03	4.28	N/A
Steve Johnson	Kansas	4.78	16	36	113	7.32	4.38	11.93
Nathan Stupar	Penn St.	4.78	21	31	116	6.84	4.28	11.64
Terrell Manning	N.C. State	4.79	22	32.5	114	7.18	4.43	N/A
Keenan Robinson	Texas	4.79	27	35.5	120	N/A	N/A	N/A
Audie Cole	N.C. State	4.81	15	35	114	6.96	4.29	N/A
Brandon Marshall	Nevada	4.81	28	30.5	108	7.05	4.09	11.87
Shawn Loiseau	Merrimack	4.85	19	32.5	109	N/A	N/A	N/A
Kyle Wilber	Wake Forest	4.86	25	33.5	117	7.11	4.31	N/A
Chris Galippo	USC	4.82	19	29.5	107	6.9	4.1	11.78
Ryan Baker	LSU	4.88	30	34	113	7.21	4.35	N/A
Travis Lewis	Oklahoma	4.88	22	36	122	N/A	N/A	N/A
Caleb McSurdy	Montana	4.97	26	30	110	7.62	4.28	N/A
Vontaze Burfict	Arizona St.	5.09	N/A	30	104	N/A	N/A	N/A