It's really not even close.

[Cbus cardsfan]

Look at Denver's offensive personnel, and I mean offensive, and it doesn't compare to the weapons on the Cards.

WR:Fitz vs. Demaryius Thomas- I'll give that one to Fitz.
Roberts vs Royal- Royal is a FA and not as good as Roberts anyway. It's close though.

TE: What is a Daniel Fells and Virgil Green?
The Cards crew isn't great, although I like Housler's potential, but they are more proven and better than Denver's group.

RB: Wells, LSH, and the return of Ryan Williams compared to a 52 year old one-legged McGahee and a Lance Ball. Moreno is a bust. No comparison the Cards group is superior.

OL: This is where Denver gets the nod. But, other than Ryan Clady, is it that much better than the Cards. Franklin was a rookie, and the other guys can pretty much be a wash. Denver gets the nod because of Clady.

Still, the Cards offense with a legit QB is miles ahead of Denver's.

 

[CtCardinals78]

But the road to the Super Bowl is much easier in the AFC which could give DEN the advantage.

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

I think Fitz, AZ's warm weather/dome, and Whisenhunt's heavy pass offense will be the determining factors in Peyton's decision.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

But the road to the Super Bowl is much easier in the AFC which could give DEN the advantage.

NE, Pitt, Balt, improving Houston, Jets, are as good if not better than anyone in the NFC. Green Bay is the only NFC team you cna put in that group. I know NYG won the SB but they were a game from not making the playoffs. New Orleans is going to be decimated by fines draft picks, and FA losses. I'll give you the AFC West is probably an easier division.

 

[TJ]

75 degree winters v. 15 degree winters.

Easier on the old neck

 

[Buckybird]

But the road to the Super Bowl is much easier in the AFC which could give DEN the advantage.

yep.

Throw in the salary cap as of today (Denver has 50 mil I believe) & not playing the NFC, if true. It's gonna be close & possibly a coin toss, that could ultimately come down to the instability on the Oline.

 

[JeffGollin]

Since when does logic enter into this?

We're all just guessing.

 

[GatorAZ]

75 degree winters v. 15 degree winters.

Easier on the old neck

Yeah that's why i don't understand it. I mean we play 11 games under a roof next year.

 

[Darkside]

Since when does logic enter into this?

We're all just guessing.

I'm certainly not guessing: I form my opinions based on rumors and innuendo and unfounded suppositions on Twitter and ESPN.

 

[JAB]

But the road to the Super Bowl is much easier in the AFC which could give DEN the advantage.

A lot of people say this and I think it's completely untrue. He's played in AFC 14 seasons and has only made it to the Super Bowl 2 times. I don't see going through Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Houston, New York Jets and New England as something so easy it would have a lot to do with his decision. Not to mention he couldn't seem to beat San Diego. Besides the Green Bay Packers lately every team is up and down each year. When was the last time the number one seed made it to the Super Bowl from the NFC? I don't believe the 49ers are as good as their record last year and with our defense playing the way I did the second half of the season we easily with him at quarterback can honestly say we have as good a chance or better than what he ever had in Indianapolis.

 

[Pariah]

To point a few things out that I see as flawed thinking in this thread:

1. Our RBs might be better, but our running game is not.
2. You desert dwellers have a skewed perspective on Denver winters. Yes, Manning might have a couple of home games in bitter cold, but most would be mild as "cold weather" towns go.
3. Everyone keeps talking about which division would make for an "easier" road to the Super Bowl. I don't think Manning is the type to look for the easy way out--I think he's looking for the best football team/fit.

JMHO

EDIT: And the answer to "what is a Daniel Fells?" is "an up-and-coming, super-athletic pass-catching TE." He's going to be very good.

 

[TruColor]

75 degree winters v. 15 degree winters.

Easier on the old neck

My gosh...do you guys REALLY think Denver's winters are that harsh?

I lived there for 12 years...extremely mild compared to the Midwest or East.

However - I guess they're harsh compared to AZ. Keep telling Peyton that the winters in CO are horrible and maybe he'll believe it and run to the Cards.

 

[ActingWild]

But the road to the Super Bowl is much easier in the AFC which could give DEN the advantage.

I don't necessarily agree with this. I mean, the Giants went 9-7 and won the Super Bowl coming out of the NFC. Sure the Saints and Packers are in the NFC but who knows what the Saints will look like next year after bounty gate. Houston, Pittsburgh, New England, Baltimore and New York in the AFC. Plus, wouldn't you rather have the opportunity to host a game in your domed stadium in January instead of in Mile High? If you have a road game in the playoffs in the AFC you can be looking at playing outdoors in New York, New England, Baltimore or Pittsburgh. Houston has a dome at least if you traveled there. Greenbay in the NFC would have a bad road match up but New Orleans is domed at least and really, it's New Orleans and Green Bay that everyone cites for the difficulty of the NFC. (San Fran was great last year, but even we split with them).

I think a good case can be made that the road to the Super Bowl may be easier for Peyton Manning through the NFC.

 

[Darkside]

My gosh...do you guys REALLY think Denver's winters are that harsh?

I lived there for 12 years...extremely mild compared to the Midwest or East.

However - I guess they're harsh compared to AZ. Keep telling Peyton that the winters in CO are horrible and maybe he'll believe it and run to the Cards.

If he runs to us he's gonna be over 40 by the time he gets here.

 

[DoTheDew]

But the road to the Super Bowl is much easier in the AFC which could give DEN the advantage.

I disagree with this. If the NFC was more difficult, then it wouldn't have a different team in the SB every year. The AFC has been dominated by Pitt and NE for the past decade. They represent a massive barrier to everyone else getting to the SB and is the reason Peyton has only been to 2 so far. If he was in the NFC all that time he'd probably have been to 4 or 5.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I disagree with this. If the NFC was more difficult, then it wouldn't have a different team in the SB every year. The AFC has been dominated by Pitt and NE for the past decade. They represent a massive barrier to everyone else getting to the SB and is the reason Peyton has only been to 2 so far. If he was in the NFC all that time he'd probably have been to 4 or 5.

See thats EXACTLY how I see it too. I think this is people trying to apply thier logic to Manning.

The NFC is more wide open to me.

Pats and Steelers year to year > Everyone in the NFC

 

[DoTheDew]

See thats EXACTLY how I see it too. I think this is people trying to apply thier logic to Manning.

The NFC is more wide open to me.

Pats and Steelers year to year > Everyone in the NFC

The only caveat I'd put on that is that the Steelers just cleaned house. We'll find out this year whether or not they maintain their dominance. The Patriots managed to get to the SB with the worst defense in the league so I expect them to only get better for the next couple of years.

 

[100%CardsFan]

It doesnt matter about the winters. It matters about the weather. It rains..roof closed, its windy...roof closed in DEN you play in whatever it is outside. Plus AZ is great for rehab and having previous injuries. And I beleive the players voted the UOFP grass the best feild in the NFL

 

[TJ]

My gosh...do you guys REALLY think Denver's winters are that harsh?

Just muddying the waters for Denver

 

[Jersey Girl]

I've been on interviews where everyone thought it was a given that I'd take the job ... and it wasn't. Ultimately, it comes down to what does Peyton want? Nothing else matters. All the predictions mean nothing.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

To point a few things out that I see as flawed thinking in this thread:

1. Our RBs might be better, but our running game is not.
A 22 year old 1 legged RB has to better than a 52 year old one legged RB .
2. You desert dwellers have a skewed perspective on Denver winters. Yes, Manning might have a couple of home games in bitter cold, but most would be mild as "cold weather" towns go.
3. Everyone keeps talking about which division would make for an "easier" road to the Super Bowl. I don't think Manning is the type to look for the easy way out--I think he's looking for the best football team/fit.

JMHO

EDIT: And the answer to "what is a Daniel Fells?" is "an up-and-coming, super-athletic pass-catching TE." He's going to be very good.
The same can be said about Housler. Both are very unproven. At least the Cards have some established guys at the position.

 

[Pariah]

My point re: Fells was that he's not just some scrub. He's being looked at as potentially the next Antonio Gates type of player.

And, say what you will about the Denver running backs, their running GAME is better because that's where the focus has been--despite the fact that teams are often crowding the box.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

My point re: Fells was that he's not just some scrub. He's being looked at as potentially the next Antonio Gates type of player.

And, say what you will about the Denver running backs, their running GAME is better because that's where the focus has been--despite the fact that teams are often crowding the box.

Take Tebow out of their running game, and how good is it?

 

[Pariah]

Take Tebow out of their running game, and how good is it?

Again, better than ours.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Again, better than ours.

Well, with 156 more attempts on the ground Denver generated 11 tds, one less than the Cards.

4.8 vs 4.2yd av. on running plays, but with Tebow.