Peyton Manning Rumors: Arizona Cardinals Are Perfect Destination for Manning

As each day passes, it looks more and more unlikely that Peyton Manning will be a member of the Indianapolis Colts next season.

And if he's available, the Arizona Cardinals are the perfect destination.

They're interested, at least according to Adam Schefter. Check out the following from Adam Green of ArizonaSports.com:

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"Arizona is expected to be in on Peyton Manning," ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter told ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike. "They have done due diligence."

If Schefter is to be believed, the Cardinals would have little problem parting with Kevin Kolb, who they made a significant investment in last summer, if it meant adding a future Hall of Famer like Manning. Kolb, who battled through injuries and ineffectiveness in his first season with the Cardinals, is due a $7 million roster bonus on March 17.

"If they're in on Peyton Manning I would guess they don't give Kevin Kolb the bonus and they set him free," Schefter said.

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Kolb didn't exactly set the desert on fire with his play this season, and letting John Skelton study under the tutelage of Manning could only be a good thing for Arizona. And with other teams out there looking for quarterbacks, Kolb will find a suitor on the market.

The Cardinals already have weapons in place like Larry Fitzgerald, Early Doucet, Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams (if his knee holds up), and will be able to add another piece either on the line or at the skill positions with the 13th-pick in the first round at the NFL draft.

That cadre of weapons wouldn't sound very impressive were it not for Fitzgerald, who could combine with a group of jockeys to form an effective receiving group.

Manning would be able to make the young Cardinals his team immediately and would instantly improve the offense. Remember, this Cardinals team went 7-2 over its last nine games—they figured something out last year.

And those weren't all cakewalk wins—that run included wins over the 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys and a close loss to the Ravens they probably should have won.

With Manning in town, you could be looking at a playoff team, especially as the young Cardinals defense continues to improve.

Plus, other teams that would be interested like the Washington Redskins or Miami Dolphins don't have a weapon to offer Manning like the Cardinals do with Fitzgerald. The Manning-Fitzgerald combo could be lethal. If I were Fitzgerald, I'd be begging Manning to come to town. Perhaps over dinner.

Manning may end up staying with the Colts, or—and this would really be a shame—he may have to retire given his injuries.

But if he plays football next year, Arizona makes a lot of sense as a destination to me. I'm sure Cardinals fans feel the exact same way.

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