''Sources say Dolphins on Mannings short list...''

Good post. But SF beautiful weather? Have you spent any time there? SF is in California but SF is not California! Mark Twain is attributed with "the coldest winter he ever experienced was summer in SF" too bad he didn't say it, because it's true!

 

I disagree with several points here. First we can not protect ourselves if he is not healthy enough to play. He is healthy enough already. "Healthy enough" in contract terms refers to risk of injury not ability. Second, he will not be "healthy" defined by me as "anywhere near what he was before" in the next two months and according to every medical expert I've spoken with and everything I've looked at regarding nerve regeneration he probably won't be back to whatever he will get to for at least a year. Even then loss of motor function in cases of severe nerve injury is common. Third, there is not that much difference between Manning and everybody else that 75% is still an upgrade over even Moore. Marino came back at far more than 75% and he was a 69 rated passer. The worst part about it was the inconsistency. Marino was still able to have a great day from time to time, but overall he was clearly not the Marino we remember. What you saw was a Marino who could make the play just like before on one drive and then not be able to make the same play at all on the next. So while I agree that a healthy Manning is a no-brainer, we'll never know that he's healthy until after we will have to decide on Flynn. And odds are that he will never be the Manning we remember. The people who are excited by the idea of signing Manning are either ignorant of the realities of this injury or just ignoring them. The only way signing Manning makes sense is if it's a near minimum deal with a ton of incentives, Philbin decides that Flynn is not who he wants, we draft Tannehill in the first and we are completely fine going with Moore and Tannehill and Manning on IR for a year.

 

I disagree. As much as I love Marino he was not a cerebral QB. Peyton is. Penny is. If Peyton can throw as hard as Penny which would make him 75% of his former self we can win our division. Marino sucked at the end because he was the gunslinger of gunslingers and his guns were broken.

 

If if if...if a frog had wings it wouldn't bump its *** when it hopped.

As attractive as it would appear to most fans for us to get Peyton Manning should/once the divorce is finalized in Indy, the REAL question becomes, like I eluded to before regarding Matt Flynn...would JOE PHILBIN want Peyton Manning? I really can't say one way or the other.

Peyton ran his offense in Indy for all of these years. Philbin's offense is different. Sure, both are high powered, high flying, ariel games and I'm sure fundamentally, Manning would be able to adapt. There have been examples of this in the past. Montana goes from San Francisco and adapted to "Martyball" easily, taking the Chiefs to the AFC Championship against the Bills...but is a short quick fix what Joe Philin is looking for because let's be realistic, that's all Manning would be. A short termed quick fix.

If Philbin is only planning on coaching the Dolphins for a few years, then Manning could be the way for him to go, but if he is looking for a long termed QB solution, then possibly Matt Flynn...possibly Matt Moore...possibly draft a QB.

Just keep in mind guys..."Dr Phil" is the captain of this ship now and who we end up getting is going to weigh heavily on what he as a coach wants to hitch his wagon to for his success.

 

My opinion on the whole subject is that I think Manning will be here in Miami next season. I think it's an all out winning situation for us to obtain Manning. I do think we need to take a long hard look at the QB prospects in this draft and take one of them as well. While Manning is not a long term fit we can still make a run with him and develope his replacement for the next two years so that the dropoff isn't as painful. I really really like what i've seen out of Kirk Cousins from Michigan State. Ryan Tannehill is a nice prospect too but not with our first round pick. If we can get him or Cousins in the second round we will be in good shape moving forward with Manning and then moving forward without him in a few years.
With our first pick (assuming we do sign Manning) the pick clearly needs to be a player that can have an impact right away because we are playing for now and not later.

I don't think Matt Flynn is any better of an option than Matt Moore is right now. If we are thinking about blowing a bunch of money on Flynn we should consider Moore for another year if thats the case. I just don't believe in Matt Flynn. In fact I think Moore is just as good and it would be a total waste and a huge mistake to gamble on Flynn. He hasn't shown me anything more than AJ Feely did during his run in Philly. The QB position has been utterly painful to watch since Marino's last season and it's time to think logical. Manning should be the guy. He's already cleared to play and we are still a long long way from even sniffing a training camp. He's got a lot more time to heal despite him already being mostly healed to go.
It should be Manning and I think it will be going into 2012.
We draft a prospect in the second round and hope maybe this time we get the $hit right. There would be no pressure on that rookie to perform. If we don't take a rookie QB then bring back Devlin and let him learn. I still think he's going to be good but he's got to have the time to sit and learn and perfect his game to the best of his abilities.

 

I stopped reading right here.

If that's how you feel, then why draft, practice, have a FA period, or do anything at all?

 

Pretty sure Philbin knows that Manning is a lot more talented than Flynn. I think Flynn is more of a reach than Manning is. Why not just stick with Matt Moore, and upgrade the O-line and defense?
It's Manning, trade up for RG3, stick with Moore, or bust for me. I don't think Flynn is the answer. He falls right in line with ok QB's like Matt Moore, Fitzpatrick, Henne, and many many others.

 

Marino's problem wasn't that he couldn't adjust to less velocity on his throws. His problem was that he couldn't depend on his arm from play to play. Coincidently that has been what Manning is supposedly dealing with. He has no consistency. He can rip it one play and can barely grip the football the next. This is what commonly happens with this type of injury.

 

The only risk is money. Money that Steve Ross doesn't mind spending. I would rather risk a boatload of money on Manning due to the risk/reward aspect of it, as opposed to risking draft picks on trades for back up QBs. Miami doesn't quite have the best record when attaining those guys anyway, remember all of the 2nd round picks we threw away? The last thing I want is a Kevin Kolb or AJ Feeley on this team.

Use the picks to draft your developmental guy, get Manning, and keep Moore as your back up. How can this not appeal to any Dolphin fan?

 

Yeah, should know that myself...sorry... But the ties are there...

 

Maybe, but he also has a place in the NC mountains and in Santa Rosa Beach, Fl....Probably has something in the NO area as well...?? Just a guess. He may like SF and that might be a draw, but if even only 80% healthy, he's holding the cards...

 

We all watch our team play in hopes of them going to the superbowl and winning it all. No other solution out there puts us in that position immediatly like Manning. I don't care if it's 2 years or 5 years. Every year would be awesome! We would be contending for division crowns and the Manning/Brady battles 2-3 times a year would be epic! The seats would be filled and the place would be rocking again! The more I think about it the more it sounds right.

Washington-Our biggest competition. But do they have the talent that the dolphins have? I surely don't think so.

Seattle-Solid choice, but if his wife truly does love south beach than she couldn't be happy moving as far away from it as possible!

New York- You wouldn't think he would want to go down that road, but you never know he might wanna own New York with his brother. (This would be the absolute low of lows being a dolphins fan.)

Tennessee-They have Jake Locker. What sense would that make?

Arizona-Could happen but you would think they want to give Kolb at least an offseason program before giving up on that investment.

 

Now I'd agree with this had Fisher been hired....If we acquired Manning, that would immediately put the bulls eye on Philbin...is that a good move ??

 

I think I'd worry less about that. My feeling, from Philbin's bio is that he'd adjust the O to suit and fit Manning's strengths. He just comes off as that type of coach... I would think that the prospects of having a QB of Manning's quality would outweigh any worries about the system. That said, I do kind of agree with you that they would lean more towards the Flynn route and move on from there. However, Ross' ego just might get in the way of that...

Besides all that, some folks on these boards seem to think we are 'ready' for the next step, but I don't see that...a new offense and new defense will be installed. We have better fitting personnel for the old schemes than the new ones. We need two new safeties, an OLB or a true MLB for the new scheme. A pass rushing DE to go along with who we have. A TE to at the least complement Fasano. Two OL spots to fill, possibly 3 (Ritchie I doesn't exactly fit the WCO zone blocking G identity. And potentially a speedy WR to complement what Bess and Marshall do.... That's a lot of holes for a team that is 'ready' for the next step....

 

This is a ridiculous thought process. If Philbin brings in Manning, it's because he only plans on coaching a few years? There's this thing we call the NFL Draft. You can draft quarterbacks in it, Quarterbacks that offer a long term solution.

 

Or you can just Breeze on by him and watch some other team be a instant contender.

 

I would really enjoy watching Peyton run a hurry up offense on New England's Defense in a Miami jersey.

 

How many shoulder , throwing injuries/concerns did Pennington have ? This is to a player that NEVER had a strong arm , so are we to believe Pennington is a smarter player than Manning?

Chad is definitely football sharp don't get me wrong , but Peyton doesn't have to take a back seat to anyone at the QB position in that regard imo.

 

This is whats going to happen we are going sign manning and his nerve in his arm never heals.Matt flynn signs with the seahawks and becomes a star.This is the recurring curse of the franchise.

 

That's a different injury. In Manning's case you're not just adjusting to a weaker arm. You're adjusting to an arm that may be strong enough on one play and not strong enough on the next. That's what killed Marino. You'd see him make a play where you'd swear he was back and on the next series he'd throw a pass that would be laughed at on high school team.

 

That's my fear. I think that the odds greatly favor disappointment for the team that ends up with Manning. There's no risk (other than money) unless you end up passing on a guy like Flynn b/c you've decided to place your hopes on Manning being the Manning of old.

 

Yeah I remember the last quarterback we passed on because they were worried about his throwing mechanics ever being the same. I think he was last seen eating a plate of jambalya and had a large trophy sitting next to him.

 

Yeah, I doubt Saints fans regret that risk. About time we take a gamble on a QB. Playing it "safe" has gotten this team nowhere.

 

The guy you are talking about was not 36 years old.

 

I could care less about the money.This going to cost us flynn,I feel with philbin here this is the perfect place for him.I don't think it is fair for alot of people to compare him to kolb this is a totaly different situation.I think this kid has the intangibles to be really good in this league for a long time.This manning thing is really going to hurt us in the long run.Everybody is just blinded by a name on a jersey.I doubt he will ever be the same.And the timing on this could not be any worse.

 

Johnny U, Fran Tarkenton, Roger Staubauch,Jim Plunkett, John Elway,Rich Gannon and Kurt Warner all guys that have played in a superbowl that were 36 or older.

 

Question,are you a doctor or physical therapist?You seem to know your **** about this injury more than anybody else on this site

 

With a fused neck,and nerve damage in their arm?

 

I did not hear that he can't always grip the ball.

 

Kurt Warner was so called damaged goods remember the concussions? Gannon played for a few teams and was a castoff too.

 

Still want him?

 

We're all arguing back and forth about Manning and the fact is that none of us really know where he is at in his recovery process. None of us know where Flynn is regarding becoming an elite QB...

It's all conjecture and educated guess work at this point...

Whatever the braintrust of the Fins decides is going to be fine with me. If they jump on Flynn, then they must feel he's capable or that he's the least likely option to not pan out. The same can be said for acquiring Manning... If they do, then we have to assume they feel his recovery is or is going to be complete at some point and he'll offer the quickest and best option to becoming competitive again. Yeah, if they choose Manning, it very well could turn out like CPep, but we don't know at this point. And, if they choose Flynn, he could turn out like AJ Feeley as well... If either of those negative things happen, then we will be starting over in 2 or 3 yrs...and probably arguing the same points, only with different names. And they could want to go the expensive route and trade up for RG3 and he may turn out to be Ryan Leaf.... Or they could stick with MMoore and he flames out as well.

What we do know is that a decision is going to be made on one of these guys, and of course we also know there are outside influences that can affect which guy we get... They may want Flynn and he decides to go to Seattle or Manning may choose Washington over us....and then we are going after option #2 or #3...

 

Dude, manning at this moment does not have any velocity on his throws and might never again.Nobody knows if he will ever regain this.Its no secret the older you get the longer it takes your body to heal.
Concussions have nothing to do with throwing a football.

 

Yeeeea about that:

 

Wow.
You were invited to his workouts?

 

Manning cleared to play (sort of)
ESPN is reporting that quaterback Peyton Manning has been cleared to play by two doctors who determined that "the stability in his neck would have allowed the quarterback to play this Sunday if the nerves in his arm had regenerated to a satisfactory performance level."
Great. Manning, as you know, has had three neck surgeries the past 20 months and the fact there is stability in the neck is a positive sign for the 35-year-old as he tries to return to his NFL career after missing the 2011 season.
But ...
The nerves that had basically quit firing, causing repurcussions in the triceps of Manning's (right) throwing arm, including him feeling numbness, suffering atrophy, and losing strength, are apparently still not completely regenerated.
And that is very, very important because that means Manning doesn't have full strength in his arm. And if he doesn't have full strength in his arm, he may or may not have an NFL caliber arm yet. The report says that Manning's problem is not a "safety issue; it's a performance issue."
Um, well the only reason the Dolphins are even remotely interested in Manning is his ability to perform at a Pro Bowl level. Nobody cares that a quarterback can be safe. That is fundamental. They want a quarterback that can performn.
And if Manning still is fighting performance issues, he's still not a sure thing. If he's merely a gamble with uncertain arm strength, I'd say his chances of joining the Dolphins remain ... a long shot at this point.
Now, if the nerves do indeed regenerate to the point Manning's arm resembles the helped him win four MVP awards, the Dolphins definitely will be one of the teams chasing him -- assuming he is available. But we've not reached that point yet

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolp...ng-cleared-to-play-sort-of.html#storylink=cpy

Yea, I was at his workouts.

 

I just dont think Manning would say he's ready to go if that wasn't the truth. He's made plenty of money so I doubt thats the issue here. Redemption? Maybe but why? He's the best ive ever seen play the position, what more would he have to prove? I honestly think that if he says he can go then he can go!
You mention Matt Flynn going to Seatle and becoming a star. Lets flip that around for a second. Matt Flynn comes here and ends up whiffing. We play the QB circus game starting Moore one week and Flynn the next, all the while locked in with Flynn and the six/seven year deal he has signed! Manning on the other hand signs with....Lets see....The Arizona Cardinals! Once again much like they did with Kurt Warner they catch lightening in a bottle and Manning brings the Cards back to the super bowl.
The argument can go on and on and back and forth..However lets look at the facts..
1. Nothing is promised in the NFL or any sport.

2. Matt Flynn is not a proven QB...Sorry but two starts doesn't mean he's ready to lead a franchise for the next ten years. If thats the case then lets give Chase Daniel a shot! Lets give Jimmy Clausen a second chance....How bout we sign Dennis Dixon...Or better yet lets sign Matt Leinart. Those guys would all come a hell of a lot cheaper than Flynn with the same amount of risk/success/bust potential. Don't tell me for one second that Flynn has more talent than any of those guys, and if you can it better be backed with some concrete facts.

3. Peyton Manning is a proven QB. The best we have seen ever! He's 36 years old and he just had a year off from football. Manning has also not exactly taken a ton of hits over his years. Since 1998 his jersey has always looked nice and clean even in the winter.

4. There is no comparison to concussions and neck injuries but we are talking about Kurt Warner and Peyton Manning. As great as Warner was in his time...Peyton Manning was and still is on a whole entire different level.

In conclusion I think most people have forgotten how great Manning truly was. We aren't talking about Donovan McNabb trying to make a comeback or Boomer Esiason trying to show he still has something left. Lets give Manning a workout in March some time and see what he's got. None of us are experts on this so it's wait and see.

 

Can he throw, Einstein? Will he ever be able to throw the way did during his prime? Do you even read what's going on with Peyton?

 

I don't think he will. This is his last contract. He's going to want to be paid.

 

Matt Flynn is clearly unproven because of the small sample size but lets not go over board and say he has the same amount of risk/success/bust potential as those players you just listed. Matt Flynn has actually shown the skills to be a very good NFL QB (albeit in a few games) whereas these others mentioned have not shown these skills. Leinart? Seriously? Leinart has a career 71.6 QB rating. He has proven that he is not good. Flynn has a career 92 rating. This is in a very low number of snaps so it doesn't prove anything but it is an indicator of possible success that those other QB's don't have.