ESPN insider: Money could be sticking point with Cardinals, Manning
Feb 8, 2012, 12:21 AM | Updated: 1:55 am
Money tends to play an important role with deals, trades
and contract offers. But if money isn’t the driving force
for Peyton Manning if he is released from the Colts, it
could make it easier for the Cardinals to go after him.
ESPN NFL insider John Clayton told Arizona Sports 620’s
Doug and Wolf that Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill would not
pay for two quarterbacks in two years.
“They were not cheap in anything they did in last
offseason,” Clayton said. “They put a lot of money out in
free agency; they put a lot of money out in the Kevin Kolb
trade. I just don’t know if they’re ready to say goodbye
to Kevin Kolb in one year.”
Clayton said that it is very likely the Indianapolis Colts
will release Manning because the organization is heading
in a new direction. However, no matter how enticing it
would be for a MVP quarterback to be able to throw to
Larry Fitzgerald, the Cardinals would have to either give
up Kolb, or spend more money to keep both.
The Cards traded cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
and a second round draft pick for Kolb last summer, and
then signed him to a five-year, $64 million contract with
$21 million guaranteed.
Kolb threw 1,955 yards averaging 7.73 yards per pass
attempt in 2011. He had nine passing touchdowns, but
fumbled seven times and threw eight interceptions.
Kolb, 27, would be difficult to give up, which could leave
the franchise placing their hope in the recuperating
Manning.
Clayton also emphasized that it’s not a matter of being
cheap, but managing resources and working with Kolb.
“Seeing how the Bidwills have run that franchise, I would
think they‘d say, ‘No. You wanted Kolb; you get Kolb and
make the best out of it,” Clayton said.
But Manning has played in a dome his entire professional
career, and Arizona is the only one of the teams
interested in him that offers a closed roof.
According to Clayton, Manning may be willing to take a
smaller salary with the Cardinals than with any other team
because of the option of a controlled climate.
