SB Nation Arizona - Manning To AZ? Starting To Look Less Likelyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46593/arizona-fave.png2012-03-17T08:00:26-07:00http://arizona.sbnation.com/rss/stream/24933022012-03-17T08:00:26-07:002012-03-17T08:00:26-07:00Arizona Cardinals Going Back To Original Plans After Peyton Manning, Which Is No Bad Thing
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<p>When the 1PM Friday deadline passed for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> to be able to release QB <span>Kevin Kolb</span> to avoid paying him a $7 million roster bonus, it meant basically that <span>Peyton Manning</span> was out of the picture for the Arizona Cardinals. For most Cardinals fans, it was devastating news as there was a buzz in town about the prospects of having Manning on the team, making the Cardinals almost instantly a viable contender. </p>
<p>However, what many fail to realize is that while Manning was lost, nothing was really lost. </p>
<p>Arizona was already content with the their quarterback situation. They just pursued Manning because it was a special case. It isn't every day or even every season when an established, elite QB can be acquired. Sure there were health concerns, but the team simply had to try and sign him.</p>
<p>Now they are "left" with Kevin Kolb and <span>John Skelton</span>. The team believes in Kolb and that healing and a full offseason will do the trick to get him looking like a viable NFL starting QB. Skelton, despite erratic play statistically, won a lot of games and sometimes looked elite and other times looked like he doesn't being in the league. </p>
<p>However, the Cardinals were very content with this situation. It isn't a great loss, just back to where they were. </p>
<p>In minicamp, OTAs and training camp, Kolb and Skelton will compete to see who will end up as the starting quarterback when games actually mean something. </p>
<p>It will be a different story, though, if Manning ends up with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>. That would be a veritable kick in the crotch. </p>
<p>Cardinals fans, let us not mourn the loss of something the team could have had. It was only ever a possibility and before the whole Manning drama came out, fans were eating up the Kolb/Skelton debate. Now we can get back to comparing and debating that -- not Manning.</p>
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<p><b><i>Keep up with Cardinals news and opinions when you are not on the site. Follow Revenge of the Birds on Twitter at </i></b><a href="http://twitter.com/revengeofbirds"><b><i>@revengeofbirds</i></b></a><b><i> </i></b><b><i>and "like" us on </i></b><a href="http://facebook.com/revengeofthebirds"><b><i>Facebook</i></b></a><b><i>. You can follow me individually at </i></b><a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/senorjessroot"><b><i>@senorjessroot</i></b></a><b><i>.</i></b></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2012/3/17/2879624/arizona-cardinals-going-back-to-original-plans-after-peyton-manningJess Root2012-03-16T14:15:20-07:002012-03-16T14:15:20-07:00Cardinals Out On Peyton Manning: Ken Whisenhunt Issues Statement
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<p>Following today's, and really the last few weeks' events, - from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a>' pursuit of <span>Peyton Manning</span> to today's decision to retain and restructure <span>Kevin Kolb's</span> contract, Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt decided it was wise to issue a public statement on the whole ordeal. Here's what Whiz had to say:</p>
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<p>Regarding today's developments and our quarterback position, acquiring Peyton Manning is no longer an option for us. <br> <br>Since the end of last season we made it very clear that our plan was to head into 2012 with Kevin Kolb and <span>John Skelton</span>, let the process play out and - like at every position - go with the quarterback who gives us the best chance to win.<br> <br>Obviously something very unique and unexpected presented itself. We've said it many times: if there's an opportunity to make our team better we'll explore it; we view the potential of adding a first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback as one of those. The organization quickly put together an aggressive plan to go after it. We're proud of that and feel very strongly about what we have to offer as a team and as an organization. In the end it didn't work out but from our perspective it was very positive and we certainly don't have any regrets about it. <br> <br>We sit here today in the same spot we were heading into the offseason. That's with two experienced quarterbacks who have both demonstrated positive things in the past and who we feel good about. Like we said at the end of the season when we won seven of the last nine games, carrying the momentum of that strong finish into 2012 is important and that remains unchanged.</p>
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<p><i>For more on the Cardinals offseason and how you feel Kolb is progressing, make sure you head over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Revenge of the Birds</a> to get in on the action.</i></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2012/3/16/2878630/cardinals-out-on-peyton-manning-ken-whisenhunt-issues-statementDanny Kelly2012-03-16T12:50:51-07:002012-03-16T12:50:51-07:00Kevin Kolb Receives $7 Million Roster Bonus, Restructured Contract From Cardinals, According to ESPN
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<p>As the <span>Peyton Manning</span> frenzy looking less and less likely in Arizona, ESPN's resident NFL insider Adam Schefter is reporting that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> will indeed give quarterback <span>Kevin Kolb</span> his $7 million bonus this afternoon, all but squashing Manning's chances as a Cardinal altogether.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/#!/AdamSchefter/status/180736897595883520">Per Adam Schefter on Twitter: </a>(Suzy Kolber reporting)</p>
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<p>ESPN's Suzy Kolber reports Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb will receive his $7 million roster bonus, according to team source.</p>
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a data-datetime="2012-03-16T19:26:48+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/180736897595883520">March 16, 2012</a>
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<p>Not only that, Kolb is getting a <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/#!/mortreport/status/180736691139657728">new restructured deal</a> from the team as well, according to Chris Mortensen (and Kolber), likely trying to help them get under the cap.</p>
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<p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/SuzyNFL32">SuzyNFL32</a> - Suzy Kolber - reports to ESPN that <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Cardinals">#Cardinals</a> are signing QB Kevin Kolb to new (restructured) contract <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523NFL32">#NFL32</a> 6 ET ESPN2</p>
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) <a data-datetime="2012-03-16T19:25:59+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/mortreport/status/180736691139657728">March 16, 2012</a>
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<p>Arizona couldn't take the risk of letting him leave just to watch Peyton land somewhere else. Having a second year under his belt with a full offseason and training camp should help him out immensely for the 2012 season to build more continuity with his offense. Now he'll need to figure out a way to stay on the field.</p>
<p>Kolb finished his 2011-12 season with 1995 passing yards and nine touchdowns in only nine games for Arizona last season due to injury. He also had eight interceptions and seven fumbles.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Cardinals offseason and how you feel Kolb is progressing, make sure you head over to <a href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com" target="_blank">Revenge of the Birds</a> to get in on the action. </i></p>
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https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2012/3/16/2878400/kevin-kolb-roster-bonus-arizona-cardinals-contractErnie Pomin2012-03-16T11:30:32-07:002012-03-16T11:30:32-07:00Peyton Manning, 49ers Hold Private Workout, According to Report
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> were seen as an early favorite to land <span>Peyton Manning</span> this offseason, though that not be the case<a href="http://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2012/3/16/2877853/-peyton-manning-cardinals-broncos-titans/in/2493302" target="_blank"> depending on how they want to deal with Kevin Kolb</a>. </p>
<p>Now the Cards have a new set of problems as<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/mortreport/status/180715600677584897" target="_blank"> ESPN's Chris Mortensen</a> is reporting that Manning had a workout for Jim Harbaugh and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> this week, effectively joining the race a little late. But late is always better than never, and couldn't come at a worse time for Arizona. </p>
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<p>Filed to ESPN: Third team in Manning race that has emerged is 49ers - Manning worked out for Harbaugh & took physical this week <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523NFL32">#NFL32</a></p>
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) <a href="https://twitter.com/mortreport/status/180715600677584897" data-datetime="2012-03-16T18:02:11+00:00">March 16, 2012</a>
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<p>This would clear up some of the confusion of Alex Smith's contract status as well, as the 49ers have seemingly put signing Smith on the shelf while quietly making a play on No. 18. From his other suitors in Tennessee and Denver, the 49ers would be leaps and bounds the most talented team he could join, and with all the cap space they've been opening up, the numbers could line up just right to land him.</p>
<p>As for the Cardinals, they have to figure out what to do with <span>Kevin Kolb</span> by this afternoon at 2 p.m. MT. Either pony up the $7 million bonus he's owed or cut him and try and make a play on Manning. The later is seeming much more unlikely. </p>
<p><i>For more on the possibility of Manning as a 49er, head over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ninersnation.com">Niners Nation</a> to get in on the action. </i></p>
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https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2012/3/16/2878178/peyton-manning-49ers-hold-private-workout-according-to-reportErnie Pomin2012-03-16T09:49:39-07:002012-03-16T09:49:39-07:00Cardinals Likely Out On Peyton Manning, According to Report
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<p><span>Peyton Manning</span> is a busy guy these days, taking trips to and fro from team to team to figure out his next move. And according to some sources, <a href="http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_20185914/denver-broncos-tennessee-titans-appear-be-finalists-sign?source=rss" target="_blank">including the Denver Post</a>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> may be on Peyton's short list but might not have the ability to sign him. </p>
<p>The Cardinals have until 2:00 p.m. MT to decide whether or not they will be ponying up the $7 million roster bonus that is due to <span>Kevin Kolb</span>, who the team would ultimately drop if they went with Peyton. But that means that's $7 million out the door with Kolb, unless they cut him this afternoon before his pay day. </p>
<p>It's not an easy decision, and the Cards are certainly under the gun to figure this out. <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/AdamSchefter" target="_blank">ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting</a> that the Broncos flew to Durham, NC to see Peyton today and that a workout was held between them. That doesn't necessarily put them in the driver's sear though, according to Schefter. </p>
<p>The Miami <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Dolphins</a> are said to be out too, leaving only the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> as teams that Peyton could be playing for next season. But if Titans owner Bud Adams is going to put up 'lifetime contracts' as his offer, few teams could be trying to speak with Manning, because there likely isn't another owner willing to do such a thing. </p>
<p><i>For more on the Cardinals head over to <a href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com" target="_blank">Revenge of the Birds</a>. </i></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2012/3/16/2877853/-peyton-manning-cardinals-broncos-titansErnie Pomin2012-03-15T03:00:37-07:002012-03-15T03:00:37-07:00Peyton Manning To Arizona Cardinals, According To Random Drawing [VIDEO]
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<p>Peyton Manning on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> just makes too much sense. Arizona has the wide receivers in place, they have the space to set aside room for some of Manning's most familiar targets.<br><br><br>And this guy right here has it all lined up. He sees through all the press releases and rental car tape and "secret" meetings to find out where exactly Manning will end up, and he sees exactly where Manning will end up.</p>
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<p>NFL Free Agency Bonanza (Part 2):<span>Peyton Manning's</span> new team revealed! (via <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=g5Z88QFme6g">SBNPrideofDetroit</a>)</p>
<p>You know when random drawings are picking up the Cardinals as the frontrunner, there's really no other place for you to go. Manning has to end up in Arizona now, right? What else can he do?</p>
<p>To hear his opinions on other subjects, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com">Pride of Detroit is where you want to go</a>.</p>
<p><i><b>To discuss Manning heading off inevitably to the Cardinals, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com">go to Revenge of the Birds</a>.</b></i></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2012/3/15/2873403/peyton-manning-arizona-cardinalsAvinash Kunnath2012-03-14T15:18:39-07:002012-03-14T15:18:39-07:00NFL Free Agents 2012: Adam Snyder Signs With Arizona Cardinals
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> have a lot to figure out this offseason, particularly if they want to land <span>Peyton Manning</span>. Probably most importantly, they need to figure out their offensive line issues. Manning is not likely going to want to head to Arizona if the offensive line doesn't improve from where it was last season, when the poor pass protection ended up knocking about Cardinals players.</p>
<p>So Arizona has looked to <span>Adam Snyder</span> is their latest signing. Darren Urban of Cardschatter has this report.</p>
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<p>Cards have a free agent: G/T Adam Snyder agrees to a five-year contract. Could plug into RG.</p>
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cardschatter/status/180049274569097216" data-datetime="2012-03-14T21:54:26+00:00">March 14, 2012</a>
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<p>Snyder was drafted in 2005 by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>, and he signed the contract extension in 2009 to finish things up in 2011. He was the starting right guard for the Niners last season on a solid offensive line unit. Could he help upgrade Arizona along their offensive line and make Manning consider Arizona more strongly?</p>
<p><i><b>To discuss Snyder signing up with the Cardinals, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com">head on over to Revenge of the Birds</a>. </b></i></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2012/3/14/2872155/arizona-cardinals-free-agents-adam-snyderAvinash Kunnath2012-03-14T14:23:28-07:002012-03-14T14:23:28-07:00Peyton Manning Final 4: Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans
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<p>Quarterback <span>Peyton Manning</span> continues his journey through free agency. There are plenty of teams interested in grabbing his services, but it appears a pecking order has emerged.<a target="_blank" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/peyton-manning-final-list-two-teams-includes-denver-130104449.html;_ylt=Am0TU.RMYspbcCIDPiuEePxDubYF"> Chris Chase of Shutdown Corner has the report</a>.</p>
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<p>The Denver Post reports Peyton Manning has <a href="http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_20166207/peyton-manning-has-broncos-among-top-two-choices?source=rss">narrowed his list of free-agent destinations</a> to four teams and could make a decision as early as Wednesday. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> are reportedly one of Manning's top two choices. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a> are rumored to be next on the list, in varying order. Manning could also pull a last-minute surprise and sign with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>.</p>
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<p>There's plenty to like about all these teams. Manning would be able to run the Broncos offense on his own. Manning always has liked Miami, although the trade of <span>Brandon Marshall</span> might change things up. Manning on the Titans would also be a solid fit, as they do have the requisite talent to succeed and just need a quarterback to fit in.</p>
<p>And of course, Manning on the Cardinals would be a natural fit with all the strong receiving talent.</p>
<p><i><b>To discuss Manning and the Cardinals, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com">head on over to Revenge of the Birds</a>. To think about Manning and the Dolphins, </b><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thephinsider.com/">check out Phinsider</a>. To talk about Manning and the Broncos, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighreport.com">hit up Mile High Report</a></b></i><i><b>. To discuss Manning and the Titans, </b><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">look up Music City Miracles</a></b></i><i><b>. </b></i></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2012/3/14/2871941/peyton-manning-arizona-cardinals-denver-broncos-miami-dolphins-tennessee-titansAvinash Kunnath