4 Teams That Could Ruin Peyton Manning's Legacy and Reputation in 2012

In an interview with ESPN, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is feeling optimistic about 2012:

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Peyton Manning, speaking at length for the first time since the 2011 season ended, told ESPN on Tuesday that he plans to return to football, but he and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay have not discussed his future.

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That said, with the Colts still holding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Manning's future in Indianapolis remains uncertain.

Therefore, if Manning parts ways with Circle City, here are four teams he should defer from moving to.

Washington Redskins

Although Manning would be under the instruction of head coach Mike Shanahan, who's orchestrated other great quarterbacks such as Steve Young and John Elway, there's not many other selling points for Manning to Washington.

The defense is definitely solid, but there's no well-established receivers or running game and the Redskins are in the need of youth. Pro Bowl linebacker London Fletcher will be 37 years old before 2012 kicks off, and despite being a great player, there's limited time for Manning with limited offensive talent.

Manning would no doubt love to compete against his brother in the same division but Washington—even with Peyton—is still a few steps behind everyone else in the NFC East.

Not to mention, it would be very surprising to see Mike Shanahan at the helm if the Redskins have another poor, underachieving season.

Cleveland Browns

With hardly any offensive talent other than blindside left tackle Joe Thomas, the Cleveland Browns are in the need of some changes but they are not the answer for Peyton Manning.

For one, can we really expect a guy like Manning to listen to Pat Shurmur and run a West Coast offense that got obliterated in 2011?

No.

Manning likes to spread the field, dish the ball around and manipulate defenses all game long—not throw little dump off screens, flats and quick outs to methodically move up field.

Plus, the Browns lack any receiving talent that Manning would be able to help improve. None of them can beat single coverage on a consistent basis, so Manning would be under pressure and having to pinpoint the rock on every down.

Simply too much energy would be wasted for Manning in Cleveland.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This is a questionable hire for a team needing to completely revamp on both sides of the ball.

Now, Josh Freeman no doubt has potential and would learn a lot under the wing of Peyton Manning; however, would Manning be interested in playing for a coach who basically has no NFL experience?

No.

With minimal NFL experience as an assistant and being just 10 years older than Manning, who's going to have the locker room?

The obvious answer is Peyton Manning because of what he's done in the pros compared to Schiano. The decision would likely implode on itself, because with no legit targets to throw to, how appealing are the Buccaneers for Manning?

Tampa Bay needs to improve across the board—especially on defense—but, pursuing a veteran quarterback with literally no talent back him and a rookie head coach, it's just not the most ideal situation.

Oakland Raiders

Doesn't it seem like the Oakland Raiders have a new head coach every year?

The level of patience in the organization is rather low, and can we really picture Peyton Manning in the Silver and Black?

Oakland's been going through quarterbacks like crazy the past few years and although the Raiders have some speedy receivers with a reliable ground game, another rookie head coach situation is not appealing.

Manning needs to go somewhere with a stud receiver like Houston or Arizona and a head coach who can work on his level. Raiders new head coach Dennis Allen not only is defensive-minded but was a defensive coordinator for just one season before taking the head coach leap.

In addition, Oakland does not have a first or second-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, so it only keeps getting less appealing in The Bay Area.

John Rozum on Twitter.