The one thing I know for sure about Manning
Comments (6) | 
Print | Originally published: Mar 12, 2012 - 7:57 am
I know that one person told me Manning's six-hour visit with the Cardinals went well. I know my co-host, John Gambadoro (@gambo620) tweeted earlier on Sunday that he was hearing Manning should be a Cardinals unless Bidwill screws it up and made a vague reference to a conference call. I know that Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter wrote that it's highly unlikely Manning will make his decision by Tuesday, which is a bit of a game-changer.
I know that Vic Lombardi, a former Phoenix TV guy now in Denver, tweeted that the Broncos believed they were 95% sure they were going to get him, but then pulled that number off the table. I know Mortensen later tweeted that a Broncos official and a Manning source both shot that number down like a skeet shoot. I know that the Denver Post used the phrase "dog and pony show" to refer to the Cardinals' recruitment of Manning. I know that current Phoenix TV guy Tim Ring of Channel 3 tweeted that there no dogs and no ponies were involved in the Cards' recruitment of Manning.
I know that around 12:40, Jimmy John's was delivered for lunch.
In other words, while I'm enjoying all the speculation… I. Don't. Know. Jack.
Well, I do know this: I know that if a decision is indeed made sometime this week there shall be no middle ground. It will either be one of the most exhilarating days in the history of Arizona sports or one of the most heartbreaking days in the history of Arizona sports.
Of that I am completely certain.
Usually I'm not given to such hyperbole. I believe in the middle ground. I believe in not giving into extremism. But in this case it is unavoidable.
It's either going to be one of the best days of our sports-loving lives or one of the worst. No in between.
While emceeing Doug and Wolf's Cornhole Cup over the weekend, many asked what I thought was going to happen and I was surprised by my own answer; I think it could happen but don't want to believe it will because if it doesn't, I'll be crushed.
It's not a Paxson-hit-the-shot feeling or a Holmes-caught- the-ball moment but it won't be much fun. So I guess I'm keeping my distance so that I'm protected.
Just call it emotional insurance.
Should he choose someone else, the guy I'll feel for the most is Kevin Kolb. I don't feel too badly for him now. For goodness sakes, it's Peyton Manning, what does he expect? But if the Cardinals finish with the silver or the bronze in this race, then the residue of that heartbreak is going to be on him, and that's unfair.
