The person most responsible for the conversation was ESPN's Adam Schefter, who tweeted the following:
Broncos will inquire about former QB Peyton Manning's availability and see if he has interest in coming to Denver.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2012
The result was a sports-talk-radio explosion of Manning-mania in these parts. Yesterday afternoon on 104.3 The Fan, ex-Bronco Alfred Williams practically went off the rails with delight at the prospect of Peyton in orange, exulting against the backdrop of celebratory party music. And at 102.3 The Ticket, host Charles Johnson, of CU Buffs fame, argued passionately that the Broncos have a great case to make in terms of convincing PM to head to the Mile High City. He later tweeted the following:
If #PeytonManning expressed an interest in playing for the #Broncos is it not incumbent upon @johnelway to make it happen?
— Charles Johnson (@CJbuffs) March 7, 2012
There's more than a little irony in the fact that Schefter's tweet set off such a frenzy. He'd previously argued that the Broncos had no real chance to be a player in the Peyton sweepstakes -- at least not compared to frontrunners like Miami (where Manning has a home), Washington (Mike Shanahan would kill to have talent like him behind center), the New York Jets (he and brother Eli would rule that town!), Cleveland (question marks abound about Colt McCoy), Arizona (another warm weather city that might appeal to an aging hurler), Seattle (Marshawn Lynch would provide a stout running game) and more.
Granted, it makes sense that the Broncos would have a level of interest in Manning. As The Ticket implied in its poll question for listeners yesterday, he might be the only person capable of supplanting Tebow as starting quarterback that all but the most rabid supporters of The Chosen One would not only accept but embrace. Moreover, Manning is secure enough not to be bothered by the knowledge that Timmy is waiting in the wings.
Yet Peyton is clearly interested in winning another Super Bowl during the years he has remaining in his NFL career, and the Broncos have holes aplenty to fill.
Would I like to see a healthy Peyton Manning playing for the Broncos? Hell yeah. But would I bet even a nickel on that actually happening? Hell no.
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