I hate to say it but why wouldn't SF be a strong possibility for Manning, if not the best? Because of Alex Smith? No way they pass on Manning esp after Smith's performance in the NFC Championship.
Heres why it wouldnt be the case:
1) Harbaugh just bought himself multiple years. They drafted Kapernick. You can bet the QB after Alex Smith would be a young guy Harbaugh can groom
2) Alex Smith didnt have a great championship game but he played well all season and its reasonable to believe he'll improve with more time with Harbaugh. I don't see him going anywhere for the forseeable future. I dont think the Niners are going to let him go after what a good soldier he has been
3) They have bad WR's and old RB's. Vernon Davis would be nice.
4) Harbaugh espouses a ball control running attack offense. Peyton doesn't fit that and he wouldn't want that anyway.
5) Play outside in windy poor conditions. People say this isn't a big deal and its not the forzen tundra, but Peyton is a shoot out QB and has played indoors his whole career. Why would he go outside now if he had a choice?
6) They rightfully will believe they don't need him. They were a couple punt return snafus from going to the Super Bowl without him. Doesnt make sense to commit financially to Peyton and be exposed to the risk when their perception is they aren't far away.
The most important points are the 49ers/Smith and his career renaissance and the offense and the way its designed.
Now that the 49ers didnt go to the Super Bowl, them having the season they did might be the best thing for us long term actually. Now A) They have no shot/need at Luck B) will not make wholesale changes because they we so close and the sentiment will be to bring this team back for another run C) and now they will talk themselves to Alex Smith long term.
That last one is my favorite part. Smith improved greatly this year but he still doesnt scare me by any stretch. To me it was ALL coaching.
If Harbaugh got a Luck or Peyton type QB? We might as well just switch divisions. Looks like what happened this year will mistakenly (IMO) cause them to stay the course.
I also think the fact that 49ers had such resounding success will be the spur the Cardinals need to say "we got to go all in to compete" and Kolb likely wont cut it. I.E. lets go for the big upgrade under center.
And if we get Manning.....well they are going to regret that decision.
We NEED Peyton to combat the 49ers going forward. Jim Harbaugh is not going to get dumb over night and we need to make a game changing move this offseason.
