2012 NFL Free Agency: Peyton Manning and the New York Jets Are Just Not Meant to Be
Peyton Manning is a free man for the first time in his NFL career, cut loose by the Indianapolis Colts after 14 seasons in the Hoosier state.
Before the hype gets too crazy, I just wanted to send out a preemptive strike, an open letter to the future Hall of Fame quarterback, if you will.
Look, Peyton. I’m flattered, honestly. The rumors are everywhere, and word is you’re interested in playing for the New York Jets. Truthfully, that’s pretty awesome if it’s true.
I’ve been a Peyton Manning fan for a long time. It was fun beating the Colts 41-0 in the 2002 playoffs, but when those battles with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots started? Well, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Throughout the years I’ve admired you from afar. Once the Colts left the AFC East after realignment, I could rest a little easier knowing there didn’t have to be two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks in the division.
I’m really glad you’re feeling better. It was tough watching an NFL season without you in 2011. Seeing you throwing those passes last week really brightened my day.
I want you know that I didn’t mean to offend you when I said back in January that I’d prefer you find somewhere other than New York to play.
I must admit, you’ve already made me doubt what I said about you retiring. It pained me to say it but I really did think that we might’ve seen the last of you in an NFL uniform.
I can’t wait to be wrong, though. I want to see #18 suiting up in Week 1 of the 2012 season, ready to wreak havoc on NFL secondaries for a 15th season. Business as usual.
Look, Peyton… It’s not you, it’s me.
I didn’t take it personally when you snubbed the Jets in 1997 to go back for your senior year at Tennessee. You had your reasons, I get that. Now it’s 2012, and I have my reasons, too.
We’ve already got a quarterback and quite frankly it’s getting a little tired hitting the reset button after three seasons for a short-term option at the position.
We like to run the football here and we all know you like to throw it. Hell, who can blame you? When you can move the ball like that and carry the offense on your back, I’d throw it, too.
I realize that the idea of seeing THE Peyton Manning in Green and White is tempting. It’s something straight out of Madden, or at least it feels like it.
But we’ve got holes to fill, and despite what many people think, “starting quarterback” isn’t very high a priority right now.
The Jets need a safety or two, some pass rushers, a starting wide receiver and some overall depth at a couple of different positions.
Sure, we could use a solid backup for Mark Sanchez, but we all know that if Peyton Manning came here, it isn’t to ride the pine.
Listen, I hope you get yourself 100% healthy and you find a new home next season. Somewhere outside of the AFC, preferably. I’m sure you’ll get a ring from the Washington Redskins. Well a telephone ring, at least.
Good luck Peyton. I wish you all the best, wherever you go. As long as it’s not Miami.
Follow me on Twitter @metsjetsnets88 / Contact me at
Check out what others are saying about this post...
-
[...] 2012 NFL Free Agency: Peyton Manning and the New York Jets Are Just Not Meant to Be (www.rantsports.com) Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailStumbleUponLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. ▶ No Responses /* 0) { jQuery('#comments').show('', change_location()); jQuery('#showcomments a .closed').css('display', 'none'); jQuery('#showcomments a .open').css('display', 'inline'); return true; } else { jQuery('#comments').hide(''); jQuery('#showcomments a .closed').css('display', 'inline'); jQuery('#showcomments a .open').css('display', 'none'); return false; } } jQuery('#showcomments a').click(function(){ if(jQuery('#comments').css('display') == 'none') { self.location.href = '#comments'; check_location(); } else { check_location('hide'); } }); function change_location() { self.location.href = '#comments'; } }); /* ]]> */ [...]
-
[...] talk of Peyton Manning to New York can end now, [...]
Leave a Rant
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
FEATURED PARTNERS
- Best Magic The Gathering Freakout Ever
- Rick Santorum Compares Abortion To Slavery
- Lindsay Lohan Is A Redhead Again
- Allen Iverson -- On the Right Side of a Financial Ruling
- Deion Sanders -- I'm Doing a Reality Show with Kids
- Michael Vick -- My Jailed Bro Marcus is Taking Responsibility for His Actions
- Weekend Buzz, Presented By Leven Rambin in Maxim
- Play the ‘Kanye Zone’ Game, a ‘Ni**as In Paris’-Themed Video Game
- Let’s Watch Rihanna Roll Around in Her Underwear for Armani
2 Rants to “2012 NFL Free Agency: Peyton Manning and the New Y...”