Schefter: Cardinals in ‘final four’ for Manning

It’s March, so the term “Final Four” will be thrown around
a lot in basketball circles.

But how about football circles?

With Future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning
getting
released by the Indianapolis Colts Wednesday, speculation
is widespread on the teams that may be interested
in acquiring his services.

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter already has his list of
serious suitors whittled down as he revealed on ESPN
Radio’s Mike and Mike show (heard mornings on Arizona
Sports 620), and in his mind, it’s down to a final
quartet.

“Ultimately, to me, this boils down to four primary teams:
the Miami Dolphins, the Washington Redskins, the Arizona
Cardinals and the New York Jets, in no particular order,”
Schefter stated.

The dialed-in Schefter also believes that Manning, who is
recovering from four neck surgeries, will have an
immediate and profound effect on any of the teams on his
list.

“Put him on Miami, put him in Washington, put him in
Arizona, put him in Seattle, put him on the New York Jets,
and you could say that team right now is going to compete
for the Super Bowl,” he said.

None of the five were playoff teams in 2011.

Manning will be able to be signed immediately by any of
the other 31 franchises as soon as his release from
Indianapolis becomes official. Schefter expects both
Manning and the rest of the league to move quickly.

“My guess would be that by the time true free agency
starts in the NFL at 4 p.m. (EST) Tuesday, that this is
done by then and Peyton Manning has a new home and a new
team.”

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