There’s too many storylines in sports. So, let’s cover them all, in no particular order.
Peyton Manning
I don’t see any reason why Manning won’t return to his Hall of Fame form. He’s been medically cleared. That’s good enough for me. The best places for him to sign:
1) Houston Texans This team has a good quarterback in Matt Schaub, but his health scares me more than Manning’s does. Plus, Schaub will be in the final year of his contract. The Texans will likely lose Mario Williams on the defensive line, but this team is still built to win a Super Bowl with almost any quarterback. Manning makes them the instant favorite in the AFC, though so would a healthy Schaub. The Texans could look to ship Schaub for draft picks and invest in a cheaper back-up, someone like a Chad Henne or Jason Campbell. Manning is used to playing in a dome and knows the AFC South quite well. And don’t forget one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL, if not the best. Oh by the way, Andre Johnson plays in Houston.
2) San Francisco 49ers This team was two botched punts away from the Super Bowl and they just added one of the better wide receivers –Randy Moss—to ever play in the NFL. This team has a great running game, a solid offensive line, and a blistering defense. Manning wouldn’t be in a dome for his home games, but he would be when he visited two of the three NFC West rivals. Plus, it is rumored he’d bring former Colt companion Reggie Wayne with him wherever he signs. Manning and Wayne have developed a rapport so tight they could still connect even when the lights at Candlestick Park go out.
3) Denver Broncos Decent receivers? Check. Add Wayne and they improve. Sturdy offensive line? Check. Overpowering defense? Check plus plus. Running game? Check plus plus plus. For this move to happen, the Broncos would have to trade away Tim Tebow. But Jacksonville is reportedly interested there, so this move is the most likely. They would be favorites to win the AFC West, but this is the least likely of these three to provide a Lombardi Trophy this year.
Other names that have come up in conversation include the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks. Arizona would be fun to see for the sheer fact of Manning throwing to Larry Fitzgerald. I don’t see Tennessee or Seattle even coming close to offering Manning a shot at the Super Bowl in the next three years, though both have great defenses and any offense would improve with Manning.
Miami. Full disclosure, I am a Miami Dolphins fan. They are the NFL equivalent of my beloved Boston Red Sox. Manning wouldn’t be bad in Miami, but I’d rather see the Dolphins plan long term. Matt Moore is still relatively young and was a good quarterback for Miami last year. With some consistency and leadership, he could flourish into a borderline great quarterback with playoff potential. I am all in favor of sticking with Moore.
However, Miami has hired Joe Philbin has the new head coach. Philbin was formerly the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers. Matt Flynn has spent the last couple of years backing up Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay and is a free agent. If the Dolphins feel the need to switch QBs, I’d rather see them acquire the younger Flynn, with an eye on the future, rather than Manning with an eye on patching us through to the next QB they won’t give a fair shake to.
Brandon Marshall
Speaking of Miami, today they traded top receiver Brandon Marshall to the Chicago Bears for a third-round pick this year and third-round pick next year. This price is not enough, even for the drop-happy Marshall. This move may have been made to free up space for a run at Manning/Wayne. But if Manning doesn’t sign, then Miami is without a wide receiver with number one status. That wouldn’t bode well for Moore, Flynn, or any QB the Dolphins may start next season. I hope they are putting all of their eggs in one basket, especially since they made room for the eggs by throwing away the bread.
NCAA March Madness Tournament
I’ll be honest with you: I have not been able to pay close attention to NCAA basketball this season. The one game I saw in its entirety was between Wake Forest and Miami. Neither team really impressed in that game and neither is dancing. Gonzaga is my lowest seed that reaches the furthest, and they’re only a 7-seed. I have picked Syracuse to win it all, defeating Michigan State in the championship. Duke and North Carolina round out my Final Four.
Ryan Braun
I’ll admit he probably isn’t innocent. But, he won his appeal. This should be good for MLB. Would they rather have one of their young stars tainted with a PED test? I will remain ignorantly blissful of the overturning on his appeal.
MLB Playoffs Expansion
This is a great idea, but I don’t like it. It’s not fair that the team that wins the play-in game will home field advantage to begin the divisional series. The fact that this problem is a one-time thing proves why I think this is a bad idea. Added another playoff team in each league is wonderful, but don’t rush it. Take time and plan it out.
NBA Trade Deadline
I don’t think it’s wise for the Celtics to move any one because it seems unlikely they will get anything worthwhile in return, at least not as worthwhile as the cap space they’ll earn in the offseason. Dwight Howard should be traded. He reportedly wants to play in the LA or New York media market. If I were him, however, I wouldn’t rule out playing in Boston, Dallas, or Chicago either. They may not have the markets LA or NY have, but the endorsement possibilities will still overflow for the now-Magic center. He’ll be the biggest name moved. If Orlando keeps him, they will be setting themselves up for the heartbreak of him leaving town as a free agent.
It’s a great time to be a sports fan. Spring Training baseball is full swing. The NBA trade deadline is Thursday. The NHL and NBA are beginning to enter the homestretch of the season. The free agency period has begun in the NFL. March Madness began tonight. Even NASCAR is back in business. And on the horizon: NHL Playoffs, NBA Playoffs, MLB Opening Day, NFL Draft, and WrestleMania XXVIII.
Stock up on popcorn, potato chips and chicken wings, sports fan utopia is now open.
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