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Let’s take a look at the Jets and Peyton Manning, and whether this marriage is feasible.
The Jet have about $7 million in cap space, and if they release Mark Sanchez (knowing they are getting Manning), they will double that.
So while other teams might have more space, the Jets have enough room to make this happen.
The Miami Dolphins have more space, somewhere around $17-20 million, so they do have the power to blow the Jets away with an offer than Manning can’t refuse.
Also, another advantage the Dolphins have over the Jets is that Manning has a condo on Miami Beach, and is actually there right now, as we speak. And let’s not forget, Florida has no state income tax.
The Jets can only hope that Marshall Faulk’s statement today is true.
Faulk said, on NFL Network, that Peyton wants to play in the AFC, so he can possible face his brother in the Super Bowl.
If that is accurate, this theory knocks out three very serious contenders – the Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals.
The Jets are going for the gusto on this one, for a couple of reasons.
First of all, while there was plenty of blame to go around on offense last year, Mark Sanchez had a bad season, and took a step back.
“According to my sources, the real concern with the New York Jets is their franchise quarterback may never be a franchise quarterback,” said Pro Football Weekly publisher Hub Arkush. “According to one of my sources, very close to the ball club, when Peyton Manning becomes a free agent, the New York Jets will absolutely be kicking the tires. The Jets realize where they are at with Mark Sanchez.”
Hub has been around the game a long time, and has very good sources.
So while it’s possible Sanchez could improve in the future, you get the sense the Jets have a strong feeling of what they have.
According to a reliable source close to the team, Woody Johnson, in moment of sheer frustration, after a bad Sanchez play, yelled during a game, “My quarterback is a journeyman?”
And in a division with Tom Brady, at least for a few more years, they need more from the quarterback position.
The chance to get a quarterback of Manning’s standing is so rare. Players of this magnitude don’t hit the street very often.
The Jets are going to reach for the brass ring.
And not just for football reasons, but also for business reasons.
They have luxury boxes and club seats to fill, advertising to sell (in a market with a Super Bowl champ) and Manning will fill seats and attract sponsors, Sanchez won’t.
Remember, what we reported here about the two VP’s that quit – Ira Axelrad and Woody Johnson were putting intense financial pressure on them, perhaps unrealistic pressure in some regards.
So if the Jets want to fix their football product and their cash flow issues, Manning is the answer.
And they are going to go after him with all their might.
We will have more on the Manning sweepstakes on Thursday, by 9 pm.