On Sunday, Charley Casserly on on CBS made some waves among Cardinals fans when he suggested that Peyton Manning to the Cardinals could happen if the Indianapolis Colts cut him before his huge contract bonus comes due. However, there is a very, very crucial piece to the whole possibility, and that piece might stop everyone in their tracks.
Peyton Manning might not even be able to play football in 2012.
Archie Manning, Peytons father, appearing on Yahoo! Sports Radio on Monday, said he was unsure if his son would be able to play in 2012 after missing the entire 2011 season while recovering from his third neck procedure in less than two years.
Said the elder Manning:
"I think he's working real hard -- Peyton wants to play. He's got a good attitude about it. He's getting his health back, getting a little better. We'll just have to see what happens."
There was no talk of saying that he definitely is going to come back and that is reason for concern. He has to be healthy if the Cardinals are going to go get him.
Manning's father is not the only one voicing concerns. Colts owner Jim Irsay also said the same thing.
"I've always said that, first and foremost, it's a medical situation, a health situation. Is it safe for him to go on the field? Is it something that he's healthy enough to resume his career? That to me has always been the most important decision. That's something we're continuing to see where we're at."
So while the thought of Manning throwing darts to Larry Fitzgerald and making Andre Roberts and Early Doucet look like Pro Bowlers is attractive in thought, the reality is that he might not even be able to play.
I know, it's a bummer, but it is the reality of it.
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