Why Peyton Manning to the Washington Redskins Is the Disaster No One Wants

It's an interesting situation but not a good one.

According to Howard Eskin of 94-WIP and NBC-10 from Philadelphia, the Washington Redskins may be brewing something with Peyton Manning.

In addition, the Redskins may approach Manning according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Although it seems like a good idea at first, the Washington Redskins need to revamp their offense under center, not try to sign a player that's turning 36 years old this spring.

Not to mention it seems like Manning has neck surgery every other month, technically three in the past 19 months, but you get the idea. In other words, for Manning to still want to put the pads back on is quite a risk.

Now include a team who needs a quarterback but plays in a division (NFC East) that is filled with excellent pass-rushers and the Redskins are putting themselves in dire straits. For one, any wrong hit could ruin Manning or even a barrage of hits will eventually wear him down.

It's not like Washington's offensive line is miraculous at protecting the quarterback (allowed 41 sacks in 2011) and the Redskins don't have a consistently effective ground game to rely on (averaged 100.9 rush yards per game, rank No. 25).

Peyton Manning is walking into a desperate situation if he moves to our nation's capital for the 2012 NFL season. As for the Redskins, it's like like their going to get Manning for five or seven years.

At the most, Manning will likely play three seasons and that's if his health remains, the offensive line significantly improves and the ground game gets working. The only appealing aspect about this for anyone though, is that Peyton will be in the NFC East along with younger brother Eli.

The Redskins, however, need to take themselves out of his discussion and try to land Baylor's Robert Griffin III in the 2012 NFL draft. His mobility will work well with limited pass protection while also providing the receivers with more time to get open.

And best of all, he's young.

Sure, it's the most obvious of comparisons when weighing the pros and cons, however, why risk a to-be, 36-year-old quarterback with three neck surgeries and limited mobility versus a rookie with a tremendous upside and unlimited potential?

Peyton Manning would undoubtedly make the Redskins offense better but for how long? RG3 would also improve their offense and be under center with Mike Shanahan guiding him for the next 10-plus years.

At least, that's what we expect from a first-round quarterback taken in the top 10.

As we've come to realize in recent NFL history, having that long-term franchise quarterback paired with a great head coach is a big ingredient for success. Not signing an old veteran in the hopes of reviving his career only to see it end miserably.

We've already seen this movie with the Redskins and Donovan McNabb anyway. Now yes, McNabb is nowhere near the quarterback that Manning ever was/is, but he was still a great player with the Philadelphia Eagles (five NFC championship games, one Super Bowl appearance).

The Redskins have a golden opportunity to draft a franchise quarterback this spring and missing that will only set them back a few more years (at the very least) in the NFC East. Manning may be able to hold up the fort but not for another five years.

It'll definitely be one of the more intriguing situations to keep track of as we get closer to the draft, especially with the NFL combine and pro days yet to commence.

Still, if you're a Redskins fan, what's more appealing?

The Heisman Trophy winner or a legend who sat out all of 2011 because of a neck injury?

John Rozum on Twitter.