I really don't get the "Peyton wants to play in the AFC" stuff.

[Lomax to Green 84]

I mean, why should that freaking matter? It's not like this is professional baseball with a designated hitter rule.

I'm just amazed at some of the BS being floated out there right now. On NFL Network right now they are showing highlights of the 2 Miami Super Bowls championships (just coincidence right!!).

I look at all of this stuff as just fluff to increase the ratings. So Peyton has made a comment about wanting to play in the AFC. So freaking what. So Peyton is a NFL history buff. If Peyton wants to make history, how about coming to the NFC and making history by winning a super bowl for 2 different teams from different conferences. Or going to a team like the Cardinals and winning them their first ever Super Bowl. Isn't history going to judge Manning more favorably if he wins one in Arizona which never wins versus a team like Miami or Denver who have won multiple Super Bowls?

What happens if the Manning experiment fails? What if he isn't the player he once was and doesn't lead a team to the promised land? Where would Manning be judged more harshly: failing to win a Super Bowl with the armpit of the NFL Arizona (the opinion of many in the media) or in Denver/ Miami?

I keep coming back to the entire issue of Manning and his legacy. Would Peyton want Tom Brady to finish his career in Indianapolis and tarnish Manning's Colts legacy? What happens if Manning goes to Miami and wins 3 Super Bowls? Everyone who ever doubted Dan Marino will now really doubt his greatness. Why aren't the talking heads at ESPN and NFL Network discussing these types of scenerios? I know why, because all of that leads to Arizona and they don't want that.

 

[crisper57]

I understand the preference because he is more familiar with those teams. That is it. But he wouldn't be visiting us if it was a deal breaker.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Why is it hard to grasp that he wants to play against his brother in a SB?

 

[DakotaCardsFan]

I mean, why should that freaking matter? It's not like this is professional baseball with a designated hitter rule.

Agreed!

I think his decision is driven by
money,
legacy,
winning.

The wanting to play his brother in the Superbowl makes for good soundbites, but I can't believe it's really a legitimate factor in PM's decision making.

 

[Shane]

I think it has to do with familiarity!

And more importantly I think it has to do with him and his brtohers desire to hopefully play one another IN a Superbowl! Cant happen if he goes to NFC.

 

[Evil Ash]

I mean, why should that freaking matter? It's not like this is professional baseball with a designated hitter rule.

I'm just amazed at some of the BS being floated out there right now. On NFL Network right now they are showing highlights of the 2 Miami Super Bowls championships (just coincidence right!!).

I look at all of this stuff as just fluff to increase the ratings. So Peyton has made a comment about wanting to play in the AFC. So freaking what. So Peyton is a NFL history buff. If Peyton wants to make history, how about coming to the NFC and making history by winning a super bowl for 2 different teams from different conferences. Or going to a team like the Cardinals and winning them their first ever Super Bowl. Isn't history going to judge Manning more favorably if he wins one in Arizona which never wins versus a team like Miami or Denver who have won multiple Super Bowls.

What happens if the Manning experiment fails? What if he isn't the player he once was and doesn't lead a team to the promised land? Where would Manning be judged more harshly: failing to win a Super Bowl with the armpit of the NFL Arizona (the opinion of many in the media) or in Denver/ Miami?

I keep coming back to the entire issue of Manning and his legacy. Would Peyton want Tom Brady to finish his career in Indianapolis and tarnish Manning's Colts legacy? What happens if Manning goes to Miami and wins 3 Super Bowls? Everyone who ever doubted Dan Marino will now really doubt his greatness. Why aren't the talking heads at ESPN and NFL Network discussing these types of scenerios? I know why, because all of that leads to Arizona and they don't want that.

There are number of reasons why he would want to stay in the AFC including familiarity of teams' defensive coaching staffs and personnel as well as the outside shot of a all Manning Superbowl. I have no doubt that it is on his list for those dream scenarios. However I don't think its as high on that list as some are claiming it to be otherwise he wouldn't even give us a shot/visit here

 

[Shane]

Why is it hard to grasp that he wants to play against his brother in a SB?

I think it has to do with familiarity!

And more importantly I think it has to do with him and his brtohers desire to hopefully play one another IN a Superbowl! Cant happen if he goes to NFC.

Great minds!

 

[cardsfanmd]

Great minds!

Yup. No wonder we are the only ones on the board who have already accepted that Manning will not be wearing red this year lol.

 

[Goldfield]

Isn't there less great QB's to face in the AFC?

I feel Arizona has a lot to offer that makes sense to Manning. Everything but a pair of OT's, that is.

Manning is a laid back down to earth guy. I believe that fits in here with Fitz, and Whiz perfectly.
Not to mention Whiz is a pass happy coach.

Maybe Im wrong but I don't think playing in his home town is as important as going to the best fit to win now.

 

[DakotaCardsFan]

Yup. No wonder we are the only ones on the board who have already accepted that Manning will not be wearing red this year lol.

I've accepted it. I just don't think the chance to play his brother in the superbowl is seriously part of that decision.

 

[Lomax to Green 84]

I think it has to do with familiarity!

And more importantly I think it has to do with him and his brtohers desire to hopefully play one another IN a Superbowl! Cant happen if he goes to NFC.

I heard last night that part of the reason Peyton won't go the the NFC East is because of the unbelievable amount of stress Eli vs. Peyton games put on the entire family (mostly his mom and dad) and yet they would want an Eli vs. Peyton Super Bowl?

As for familiarity, outside of the NFC South and playing in the AFC playoffs, why would he have more familiarity with the rest of the AFC then the NFC? NFL schedules dictate that outside of your own division, you play a mixed schedule of AFC/NFC teams. I'm not buying that as a huge reason, but I could be wrong.

 

[Evil Ash]

Isn't there less great QB's to face in the AFC?

Well there is that Brady guy who would be in the same division as him

I feel Arizona has a lot to offer that makes sense to Manning. Everything but a pair of OT's, that is.

Manning is a laid back down to earth guy. I believe that fits in here with Fitz, and Whiz perfectly.
Not to mention Whiz is a pass happy coach.

Maybe Im wrong but I don't think playing in his home town is as important as going to the best fit to win now.

and those are also factors that could affect his decision on where to go. There is a list of things that he wants from whoever he's going to play for its just a matter of him prioritizing what is the most important to him.

 

[Cardinal Bob]

I've heard it's simply a case of he doesn't want to be in a situation where he might block Eli's path to get to a Super Bowl.

I'm sure if they ended up facing each other's teams in the Super Bowl, they'd both try & kick each other's arses!

 

[Renz]

I heard last night that part of the reason Peyton won't go the the NFC East is because of the unbelievable amount of stress Eli vs. Peyton games put on the entire family and yet they would want an Eli vs. Peyton Super Bowl?

This. Where is a quote where either Manning brother said they want to face off in the Super Bowl? That's a media fantasy.

 

[Lomax to Green 84]

Why is it hard to grasp that he wants to play against his brother in a SB?

Peyton and Eli played in different conferences for 8 years and never once played each other in a Super Bowl. I would say that odds of them ever doing so are pretty slim the way the NFL landscape changes every year. It might be a factor, but I can't imagine it's a big determining factor in his decision.

 

[Buckybird]

Yup. No wonder we are the only ones on the board who have already accepted that Manning will not be wearing red this year lol.

x3 Shane knows what Ive said all along

 

[Kel Varnsen]

I understand the preference because he is more familiar with those teams. That is it. But he wouldn't be visiting us if it was a deal breaker.

I think it has to do with familiarity!

And more importantly I think it has to do with him and his brtohers desire to hopefully play one another IN a Superbowl! Cant happen if he goes to NFC.

Doesn't the familiarity argument go both ways, though?

The AFC defenses would be more familiar with him than the NFC defenses.

 

[CardsFan88]

I think it has to do with his brother mostly. Like others have said, they will only face each other in the playoffs if it's the superbowl...where one of them will win it.

But backtracking it, each can win a division, even a conference championship right now without butting heads. On top of that, on most weeks, one will be on cbs and one will be on fox. Both can be 'game of the week' or whatever for each station.

Another thing is that he's familiar with the AFC. He's a student of the game. He probably knows the 3rd stringers of any AFC team (and their tendencies) more than most starters in the NFC. Not to mention the coaching staffs, and probably has a routine of where to eat and most of those cities.

Of course all of these things are very minor overall, but they are there.

He has to play everywhere every what 4 years? (and has been in the league since '97) so he's probably familiar with most NFL cities by now.

Being in a different division is probably way more important than different conference, thus NFC West isn't a big deal. But he still might have to face his brother in the first round of the playoffs.

After that he'd just have to learn more players and coaches. Something that will have to happen somewhat anyways as he won't be IND division anymore.

Overall the reasons imo are there, but they shouldn't weigh too much. But only PM knows.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I think it has to do with familiarity!

And more importantly I think it has to do with him and his brtohers desire to hopefully play one another IN a Superbowl! Cant happen if he goes to NFC.

More importantly!

So in the end this a deal breaker / maker?

They've been in opposing conferences for approaching a decade now. Perhaps it's time to put aside the "media manufactured" dream. I've yet to find a quote attributable to any member of the family on this or the expressed desire to stay in the AFC.

 

[Lomax to Green 84]

What if the "I prefer to play in the AFC" comment is just a negotiating tactic by Peyton and his agent? You could say that and definitely up the ante with the NFC teams in pursuit.

It may be a factor, but no way it's the #1 factor in his decision.

 

[Proteus]

I've heard it's simply a case of he doesn't want to be in a situation where he might block Eli's path to get to a Super Bowl.

I'm sure if they ended up facing each other's teams in the Super Bowl, they'd both try & kick each other's arses!

Considering that Eli now has 2 rings, I don't think that potentially blocking Eli's path to the Super Bowl is that big a deal if it ever was.

 

[Vermont Maverick]

AFC: I agree that he would have more familiarity with the AFC, and think that is valid.

How about this one though? He's targeted an NFC team, and by saying "I'd rather play in the AFC, but wouldn't be against a move to the NFC", he drives up the dollars from said NFC team.

 

[crisper57]

AFC: I agree that he would have more familiarity with the AFC, and think that is valid.

How about this one though? He's targeted an NFC team, and by saying "I'd rather play in the AFC, but wouldn't be against a move to the NFC", he drives up the dollars from said NFC team.

I think it drives up the AFC price. For example, the Broncos have to throw the bank at him or they may be facing him twice a year as a member of the Chiefs.

 

[overseascardfan]

Forget conferences, if I was Peyton I'd be looking at 1) Which team has the best OL and 2) Which division has the least amount of pass rushers

 

[Vermont Maverick]

I think it drives up the AFC price. For example, the Broncos have to throw the bank at him or they may be facing him twice a year as a member of the Chiefs.

Certainly possible this could drive up the price for anyone. But assuming this is the Final 3, the Broncos aren't competing against the Chiefs, just the Dolphins regarding the AFC.

My point is, it Manning's way of saying "I'd LIKE to play in the AFC, but I COULD be convinced to go to the NFC (hint, hint, wink wink)" I like your team and situtation, Arizona, but you might want to make extra sure that you convince me to go there, becuase I am really an AFC guy."