Manning’s choices down to Cardinals or Broncos?

A day after Peyton Manning spent 6½ hours with Arizona
Cardinals coaches, players and executives, it appears
there are only two options the free agent quarterback is
considering: the Cardinals and the Denver Broncos.

Manning had spent over 6 hours with members of the
Broncos’ staff Friday, including executive vice president
of football operations John Elway and head coach John Fox.

A report circulating out of Denver from CBS 4 sportscaster
Vic Lombardi that stated Manning signing with the
Broncos
was a 95% certainty was debunked late Sunday night by
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen and others.

Broncos official
wants it known: Manning didn’t call team today or tonight
& inform they’re 95% fave. Manning source already refuted
to me

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) March 12,
2012

Mortensen also appeared on ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike
Monday morning and said that all this talk about a
decision coming quickly from Manning is hogwash.

“I will be shocked if he has a decision by 4 p.m.
[Tuesday] when the new league year starts and I might even
be surprised he has a decision this week,” Mortensen said.

This, of course, works as a hindrance to the Cardinals,
who face a decision on quarterback Kevin Kolb’s roster
bonus of $7 million, which is due to be paid Saturday.

Meanwhile, Mortensen’s co-hort at ESPN, Adam Schefter, is
confident that Manning’s currently considering only Denver
or Arizona, but that could change.

“As we sit here today, the Broncos look like the favorite,
the Cardinals are in contention and there might be a team
out there like the Dolphins that he ends up talking to,”
Schefter said Monday morning on ESPN’s SportsCenter.

The Seattle Seahawks reportedly spent the entire weekend
trying to arrange a meeting with Manning, but that won’t
happen. The Kansas City Chiefs have also shown interest,
but Manning is not considering a move there.

Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams made it known over the
weekend that he wants to sign Manning. “He is the man I
want. Period,” Adams told The Tennessean. “And the
people that work for me understand that. They know who I
want. I want Mr. Manning with the Titans and I will be
disappointed if it doesn’t happen.”

Follow @Vincemarotta