BY: JORDAN KAPLAN
Should the Miami Dolphins sign Peyton Manning? This is the
question that many in South Florida have been asking over the past couple of
weeks. A billboard
popped up a few weeks ago on the side of I-595 down the street from the Miami
Dolphins training camp urging the Dolphins to sign Manning. Various websites,
such as manningtomiami.com, have
become ways for South Floridians to urge the Dolphins to sign Manning. But what
should the inexperienced Stephen Ross do with his franchise? Will he keep it
about glitz and glamour, or will he get down to business and play some
football?
At first glance Peyton Manning on the Miami Dolphins seems
like a great idea. 4 time NFL MVP (most all time), fastest player to 50,000
yards, and not to mention he’s thrown for over 4,000 yards in 11 of his 13 seasons
played. The other two seasons he threw for 3,7000+ yards. Not too shabby if you
ask me. So why wouldn’t the Dolphins want this guy?
For starters, Robert Griffin III looks like he will be a
star for many years to come. Of course this is all just speculation but the
dude burns it up as a former track star and is just ridiculously gifted. On top
of all that he comes off as a player that is eager to learn and has a great
attitude. When you mix all these ingredients together you are cooking up a
recipe for success. RG3 truly looks like he is a gamble any GM would be willing
to take. The only problem is that the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins
are rumored to be going after the rookie QB. A trade for St. Louis’ #2 pick
would give them the ability to draft Robert Griffin III. Each of these teams
has a higher draft choice to trade St. Louis and the Redskins in particular are
likely willing to give up everything for him. Dan Snyder, the owner of the
‘Skins, has made crazier moves in the past. Snyder would mortgage the franchise
for RG3 who looks like he will be a franchise QB for the next decade and
beyond. Herein lies the obstacle the Miami Dolphins will have to overcome if
they want Griffin. Take a step back South Florida and you’ll realize that the Dolphins
should be willing to mortgage it all. Dol-Fans might not think so but I’ll tell
you why.
Peyton Manning has just had 4 neck surgeries in just under 2
years. Nobody knows how he will hold up over an NFL season. No one knows if
that one good hit will end his career. Even his own doctors would tell you that
there is always a risk Manning reinjures his neck. But lets assume that Peyton
is 100% healthy. Best-case scenario he gives the Dolphins 2-3 years of a truly
productive player. But take a look at things a little deeper. Peyton Manning
comes in and makes the Miami Dolphins a much better team. They have one of the
better records in the AFC for the years he is their QB. What happens though
when he retires? The Dolphins will be stuck with a mid to late round draft
choice and still no QB for their franchise. By signing Peyton Manning the Miami
Dolphins could be dooming themselves to 3 years of relevancy and another decade
of mediocrity.
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