For the second offseason in a row, the Arizona Cardinals find themselves in the middle of rumors about obtaining a starting quarterback. Since it is in consecutive years, you know that is not a good thing. However, this would be considered a special case, as the name involved is one of the greatest to ever play the game -- Peyton Manning.
While the health and future availability of Peyton Manning is very much an unknown, the Arizona Cardinals are considered a possible landing spot for the future Hall of Famer, should he be cut by the Indianapolis Colts.
Aside from the original rumor brought up by Charley Casserly, who said on local radio that it was something he thought up on his own, on Sunday ESPN reporter Adam Schefter sent out this tweet that got things rolling again with the Manning to Arizona talk.
On Thursday, XTRA 910 broadcaster and Cardinals reporter Mike Jurecki had a Colts beat writer on the air, and he said in no uncertain terms that Peyton would not be with the Colts in 2012.
Sunday evening on FOX10 Sports Night, Jurecki and host Jude LaCava discussed the topic more, essentially coming down to the fact that Arizona would in fact be on the short list of possibilities. Also a possible attraction is the team's saying that they are going to invest in the offensive line this offseason. Jurecki predicts that the Cardinals will sign one offensive lineman in free agency and draft two linemen. This would be something that Manning would like to see, as he will want to play behind a line that can give him adequate time to make reads and throws.
Not everyone is so sure that Manning will come available.
On the same Sports Night Sunday evening, an interview with Larry Fitzgerald aired and he was asked about the possibility of Manning. Fitz said that doesn't think that Manning is going to leave the Colts, that Indy would not just cut him after all he has done and meant to the franchise. He doesn't even think it will be an option.
Of course, we all have to know whether or not Manning is even going to be able to recover fully and play again this season. We don't know if he will retire or even be cut. That is still to be determined.
What is certain is that until his status is known, everyone is going to want to talk about it some more.
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