The Dolphins are going to chase Peyton Manning if he becomes available in free agency. That is already decided. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross loves the idea of Manning and has established him as the offseason quarterback priority.

Manning first.

Matt Flynn second. (Miami Herald)

After reading Armando Salguero’s post you can definitely understand why and it’s not just because he’s Peyton Manning. Salguero hit it right on the head when he said Peyton would be a cash cow, they’d win a few games and because of who he is they’ll sell tickets, more then normal. Memorabilia sales would also go through the roof.

He also goes to argue that this may not be the best direction for the organization which is also a valid thought. Peyton would give the team a short term boost but would it address the long term? I too doubt it.

Me? Give me a free agent chase of a great pass rusher. Give me a trade-up for Robert Griffin III or the selection of whatever rookie QB the personnel department gets most comfortable with. Give me the signing of 27 year-old Matt Flynn even. Get me some more improving and building for the long haul. Get me the short-term pain in exchange for the long-term gain.

I know I’m in the minority. I am like a salmon swimming upstream and the Miami plan and the Miami fans are big brown bears waiting in the middle of the flow to swallow me because of my opinion.

That’s fine. Let’s talk in two or three years when we’re right back where we started and you’re screaming for a young QB and a new coach and a new GM — again. (Miami Herald)

While adding Peyton wouldn’t be the best for the teams future it would definitely give the fans some excitement. In my mind, I’d go with Flynn and give him a chance while they build the team up around him.

What would you do?

All I have to say is sucks for you dude, HAHAHAH.

H/T Outside the Box Score & The Real Ben Chew for the find.

@Jeff_McLane: I was going to do a should the #Eagles consider Peyton Manning story, but the whispers coming out of Indy are that his career is over.

I have to say again it all depends who or what you believe. In my opinion you can’t believe anyone at the moment. The person who said things the best was his older brother, Cooper.

“What I do know is Peyton is going to do every single thing a human being can possibly do to get ready to play again,” Cooper Manning said from his office in New Orleans. “Where, when and how he’ll play, that’s all up in the air. But as far as his body goes, Peyton’s smart, he’ll know what to do. Anyone predicting what will happen now going forward is just wasting their breath. But he is working as hard as anyone can work to get out there again.” (NFL.com)

I have no doubt in my mind that Peyton wants to play and his working his ass off to get back on the field. Unfortunately with the injury and surgery he’s had there is just simply no telling if he’ll be able to play again till the time comes.

There have been reports from doctors that it could take a full year just to recover normally from his neck fusion surgery and that timetable doesn’t include how long it could take to recover enough to play in the NFL. That’s a long time and a long time away from the game itself.

My thinking he will work his ass off like he’s been doing and try himself out in training camp. Anyone thinks that he’s close to retiring is insane. That decision won’t come till he sees himself that he’s no longer able to do what he’s done for so many years.

Personally, I’d love to see him retire. Not because he could wind up with a rival like the Philadelphia Eagles or Washignton Redskins but for his own well being. He’s still young only 35, he’s got a lot of years left him before him why risk putting yourself in a wheelchair for one last shot at glory?

Houston (11-7). Now the question for this franchise is whether they fight to keep free agent outside linebacker/defensive end Mario Williams away from the market. The way this team played defensively at Baltimore, and as many talented young defensive players as the Texans have, and as many guys as they have to think about paying with a flat cap in the next two offseasons, I bet they’re seriously considering letting Williams walk. (Peter King – Sports Illustrate MMQB)

His words do hold some merit as the Texans do have a nice group of youngsters behind Mario. Their two rookies; defensive ends J.J. Watt and linebacker Brooks Reed had a great postseason. The two of them combined for seven sacks in their two games. That shows the defense can get pressure even without Mario. Shoot the entire defense stayed pretty dominant all year after his loss.

Keeping him though, would only make this defense even better. Unfortunately for them the real reason they may not be able to bring him back is money.

“Anybody who knows anything about our team knows how significant Mario’s contribution has been,” GM Rick Smith said. “We would love to have him back. It goes without saying he’s one of our best players.

“We’ve got some constraints with the salary cap, so we’ve got some challenges.” (Houston Chronicle)

The problem is Williams made $18 million this year, even after only playing five games in 2011 you’d expect he’s in for a raise. In his five games he did tally five sacks and a forced fumble. He’s had 53.5 sacks over 82 career games and he’ll only be 27 by the time the season starts. So yes, he’s going to be in for another big payday.

If he wants to stay he’ll probably need a contract of significant length with a large bonus. If contract talks aren’t going well I wouldn’t expect the Texans to franchise him like many would want. If the team franchised him and he accepts he’d get a one-year deal worth $22.9 million which they can absolutely not afford.

It will be very interesting to see how this plays out. The team is saying all the right things but thanks to Peter King the seeds of doubt have now been placed.

Jake hasn’t played a full 16 games since 2008, so yea I’d say it’s about time for him to hang it up. He’s sacrificed his body enough and hopefully made more then enough money.

@NickScurfield: QB Jake Delhomme, who turned 37 last week, all but said he’s retiring in the #Texans locker room today

“I’m obsessed with Tim Tebow and I’m not afraid to say it,” said Wainwright. “It’s almost embarrassing to us athletes that this much emphasis is put on Tim Tebow _ because that means we aren’t living our lives like we should. If we did that more often, the way he is living wouldn’t be a story.

“I’m so proud of him for living out his faith. That’s what we’re called to do. If we were doing what we’re supposed to be doing as athletes, then it wouldn’t be as big a story. I really mean that, but because Tim is so unique and so outpoken about his faith, then it’s a big story.

“Tim Tebow is such a great role model. I was watching Fox News yesterday and they were talking about GOP (presidential) candidates and they probably said, ‘Tim Tebow,” 50 times in a 30-minute span. Tim Tebow is everywhere right now and it’s awesome.

“He’s my favorite athlete. I feel like he’s the face of sports right now _ and rightfully so because he gives the whole nation something to believe in. It’s the story of hope.” (STL Today)

Wainwright does have a better reason then they many who just love Tebow’s underdog story, he’s a devout Christian himself. He doesn’t show his faith pitch by pitch but he certainly enjoys and respects Tim for showing his almost every play.

Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw, dealing with a stress fracture in his foot for a few months now, is listed as having a back issue as well on today’s injury report.

Indications are it’s not serious and he’s just a bit sore after Sunday’s playoff victory against the Falcons. Bradshaw was one of three players to sit out practice today. He’s been on a limited practice schedule since coming back from the foot problem that kept him out of four games, so he’ll likely practice once before the week is over.

Bradshaw is usually in attendance at practice even when he’s not participating, but he wasn’t on the field today. (Mike Garafolo of the Newark Star-Ledger)

It’s good to see that Ahmad should be on the field Sunday against the Green Bay Packers but this makes me nervous should the Giants go on an extended playoff run.

The Jets officially announced on Wednesday that Tony Sparano will replace Brian Schottenheimer as the new Jets’ offensive coordinator.

“When we sat down with Tony, I knew that he was the right person at the right time for our offense,” Rex Ryan said in a statement released by the team. “I’ve admired his work as a competitor in the division for the past three seasons. His teams were always physical, tough and hard-nosed.” (Manish Mehta – New York Daily News)

I’m not surprised Rex went in this direction as the Jets offense sorely needs some toughness. While the defense has been tough as nails since Ryan took over the offense has continued to be weak, actually soft. Which doesn’t fit for Rex, especially with him wanting to go with a “ground n’ pound” type attack.

For how bad the Dolphins offense was in 2011 (22nd overall) they ranked 11th in the rushing category with 124.2 yards per game. That’s Sparano’s style run, run and run. It helped that he didn’t have a real quarterback to throw out there but regardless his style is too run which will fit in well with Rex’s game plan.

With the Jets wanting to go more towards a rushing attack what does this mean for Mark Sanchez and the development he still needs. Sanchez proved this season that he has a long way to go before being a franchise quarterback and I highly doubt Sparano’s signing will help him get to that level. So what are the Jets to do now?

Well, they still interviewed Haley this morning. The Daily News says that Haley could be brought in as a “passing coordinator to complement Sparano”. This makes total sense as the Jets would bring in someone who can coach the part of the offense, that Sparano can’t. He’d also be able to help in Mark’s development.

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Personally, I hate seeing coordinators who can’t coach both sides of the ball but this could actually work for the Jets. Sparano will add the toughness the offense needs while implementing the style of play Ryan wants. While Haley helps to develop Sanchez.

So while its something I’m not a fan of these might be the best moves the team can make this off season.

If he does let go part of the staff who would he bring in to replace them? Geoff Mosher of the Delaware News Journal assume coaches from the Eagles staff. Target number one would probably be offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.

Grigson, anIndiana native and former Purdue standout, leaves a front-office vacancy for the Eagles, but his departure could also cause some major changes on the coaching staff, especially if Grigson cleans house inIndianapolis and brings along some Eagles coaches to fill out his staff.

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If Grigson decides to cut ties with Caldwell, he could choose to bring in Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who has head coaching experience and has said he would like another chance. (Geoff Mosher of the Delaware News Journal)

Mosher brings up some great points as to why Mornhinweg could be a target. The Colts have the number one draft pick and will obviously take Andrew Luck. Well, Marty’s specialty is mentoring young quarterbacks. So teaming him and Luck would be great for the Colts future.

While this will negatively effect the Eagles it will be great for Marty as he’s been waiting for another chance as a head coach. He’s definitely done a great job, despite this years setback, in resurrecting the career of Michael Vick.

It will be interesting to see what happens over the next week or so.