Time for Broncos to Manning up?

     It did not seem that long ago that quarterback conversation in the Mile High City was completely dominated by another former SEC All American.  I can't quite place it, but he was famous.  And he seemed like a person the Denver Broncos also looked to guide the team for the near term.  Ah, the sports universe is a fickle place though, isn't it?
     Today, Peyton Manning is visiting Dove Valley and talking shop with team Vice President John Elway and head coach John Fox.  The visit is so exciting there were photos all over the Internet before the engines on Pat Bowlen's private jet cooled down.  A jet carrying quite a bit of NFL quarterback experience, some baggage and a boatload of questions.  It was not really a surprise the fans that not only heard about the visit, they had to stand around the Broncos' headquarters facility to merely glance at the legendary possibilities that stand before the franchise.  The gathering crowd is clear evidence that no matter the number or quality of other teams around, Denver is still quite the football town.
     Even the most hardcore ESPN media guys who have seen it all have to be impressed with Bronco Nation stopping the universe to hang out with Mr. Manning.  Forget his passing records and the place already reserved for him in the Hall of Fame, he even makes entertaining television commercials.
     Before everyone busts out the all orange #18 jerseys and line up for tickets and talk shows, maybe folks should pump the breaks a little.  After all, Peyton Manning was just released by his one and only NFL team.  He was just cleared by doctors to throw a football after his fourth neck surgery.  Please note the emphasis on simply throwing the ball, much less taking a hit.  This was a player who was not allowed to stand on the sidelines during NFL games most of the season for fear of someone bumping him and harming his neck.
     The age of 34 in reality is fairly youthful, but NFL player age is faster than dog years in some cases, and the clock puts a presumably healthy Peyton Manning at about 3-4 years tops.  Is this a Bronco team ready to win a Super Bowl in that time frame?  Maybe.  And Manning could be a great step in that direction, IF healthy, IF they can protect him and IF they can fill in the blanks on a team the New England Patriots unceremoniously dismissed from the playoffs this past season.
     Hey, I like and respect the Manning family, from Archie to little brother who just won another ring, I even love their commercials, I am just not sold this is the best move.  It would sure be fun to try, we already know Peyton looks good in orange (just ask Tennessee fans) and we know how good he is when he is able to play to his potential.  
     Too many ifs for me yet and it still does not clarify the long term solution for the overall Denver Bronco quarterback picture.  Manning could be, might be an expensive, temporary answer and then again, he could be an expensive sideline coach for other famous former SEC quarterbacks.

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