Broncos want Manning. I think he gets the deal done with them over this weekend and press conference early next week. And the biggest "tip off" is the Jets curious move to all of a sudden retain Sanchez and get him long-term. I'll discuss that at the end of this novel.
Go To Your Favorite Choice First...
There's a reason he chose to fly to Denver first, choosing to visit Broncos first before going anywhere else...he and his agent probably have a gut feeling that Denver will pay him what he wants and then they'll ship out Tim Tebow via a trade (the speculation in some circles is Tebow returns to Florida and becomes a Jaguar via trade). Some think they'd retain Tebow to learn under Manning and that there would be no problem with that idea...I think, however, everyone knows the fans in Denver have to be united and not divided by watching Manning and always wondering if Timmy makes a comeback IF Manning starts cracking up early on in the reg season. They cannot coexist, and it's because of the Tebow fans. It's Vince Young version 2.0 all over again--Fans who are in love with the player and not the TEAM first and foremost.
The Jaguars might not be interested in trading for Tebow, though, with the new owner likely trying to just roll with what they have and not bleed out any draft picks when they need those draft picks desperately right now. Dolphins might be a team interested in Tebow, though.
Process of elimination, doing the easy math...
Jets are out of the running, sticking with Sanchez.
Redksins are out, as well, trading up to draft #2 and grab RG3.
That leaves, IMO, the Broncos (the leading candidate), the Cardinals, and the Dolphins in last place (Kansas City is also mentioned, but I don't see it happening at all).
The Cardinals are in the NFC, and it's been widely held that he wants to stay in the AFC. I think they're eliminated for that reason.
Leaves us with Broncos and Dolphins, and KC with an outside shot.
Broncos have a better fan base than the Dolphins, IMO, and the AFC West (KC, Oak & SD) is traditionally softer than the AFC East (Pats, Jets & sometimes the troublesome Bills). The Broncos have a rising defense, a somewhat steady running game, and could solidify their WR squad in the draft or free agency...recruiting guys like Dallas Clark and maybe even Reggie Wayne if they're lucky. That would bolster the team immediately, and then they still have the draft to find guys.
Why the Broncos make the most sense compared to Dolphins and maybe KC...
Manning has a fellow HOF'er in Elway who would have his back the whole way. Tebow was not Elway's pick...that pick was the Josh McDaniels era. John Fox is as soft as they come in terms of being a laid back, rah-rah clap his hands and chew his gum HC. He'll bow to Manning to let Manning design the whole freaking offense around what he (Manning) wants to do.
The Broncos fans will be rocking it as Manning leads that team down the field at home games. They'll soon forget Tebow who couldn't get more than 18 0r 20 yards passing Quarters 1, 2, and 3...and then ran around and pulled stuff out of his ass in the final 10 minutes of games.
Yeah, I once said I thought the Jets would be the team...but now that they're out and now that I see all the things developing...it's the Broncos.
Why the Jets retained Sanchez this weekend...
And it's curious that the Jets JUST NOW dropped out of the Manning Derby. Why now? Because they have inside information that says Manning is as good as a Broncos...it's just an issue of getting the contract signed and sealed.