- Mike Shanahan and Peyton Manning have long admired one another, starting from afar. But their affection seemed to grow after Shanahan coached the Pro Bowl in 2005. He and Manning spent a lot of time together – dining and golfing, according to the Denver Post. Shanahan has long raved about Manning’s work ethic. Later Manning said of Shanahan, “I would be hard-pressed to find a better offensive mind than Mike Shanahan,” Manning told reporters later. “That was a special week.” By the way, if this marriage happens and it works, then Manning gets the credit for turning the franchise around. If it fails, Shanahan gets the blame. Also, keep in mind that no Super Bowl winning quarterback has duplicated that feat with another team. I do wonder, however, if Manning would come here if there are equal options. One NFL source said Manning had a tough time playing his brother Eli; how would he feel doing so twice a year? Maybe now that Eli has won two Super Bowls he wouldn’t feel so bad. But I really don’t know if this is still an issue.
- Signing Manning means if not scrapping the current offense then tweaking it substantially. The Redskins love using bootlegs and rollouts; Manning is not mobile. But he is adept at play-action from the pocket. The stretch zone running game is not as effective without running bootlegs, so that would change too. Also, Manning loves being in control of the offense – and he’s handled this role quite well obviously. Manning had a major say in game plans with the Colts – would he get that here? He also called his own plays. One NFL insider said yes, the Redskins – who have done much homework on this matter already — would be fine with this arrangement. And that means both Kyle and Mike Shanahan. “He can run any system,” one NFL source said. “But how much do you want to take advantage of what he does best?” Sounds like they would do just that.
- If all the Redskins do is sign him, but don’t add a legitimate playmaker – or two – then it’s a waste. But they’re approximately $40 million under the cap. They could also sign two former Colts receivers: Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon – or others Manning would want. One NFL source said doing so would make them … a wild card contender. Not sure that’s enough – and the window for contending with Manning is very small. But the Redskins could still draft a quarterback, too – possibly at no. 6 (Ryan Tannehill), though likely later. If they did this, and filled other needs in free agency and the rest of the draft, they’d potentially be set at this spot for a while. That’s a lot of ifs.
- The offensive line’s strength does not mesh with a straight drop-back passing game. The Redskins line is built to block on the move and is helped by play-action and bootlegs. But Manning made bad and mediocre lines look good in Indianapolis with quick decision making. If he’s in a system he knows well and with players he’s comfortable with, that should continue. However, it could – should — increase the need to find a right tackle in the draft to eventually replace oft-injured Jammal Brown. Of course, that could happen anyway.
- Signing Manning certainly underscores the urgency to win now – one year after finally retooling the roster. Eleven wins in two years for any franchise should put a coach on notice. This offseason will define the organization for some time. There’s risk in trading up in the draft to select Robert Griffin III. There’s risk in signing a quarterback who turns 36 soon and is coming off four neck surgeries in a year. Repeat: 36, four neck surgeries. But: “If the doctors say he’s healthy, and he says he’s healthy, then that’s enough for me,” Kyle Shanahan told ESPN 980 in January. “Everybody knows Peyton Manning is… as good as it gets.”
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