Why Bill Polian's Report Should Have Redskins Speed-Dialing Peyton Manning

The latest salvo in the never-ending media frenzy that is the ongoing Peyton Manning saga, was fired Thursday evening, as Pro Football Talk reported that former Indianapolis Colts Vice Chairman Bill Polian refuted reports that Manning's rehab from two neck surgeries wasn't going well, stating that he believes Manning will not only return to the NFL but will play "at a high level."

Here is what Polian had to say to ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption" (love that show) in regards to Manning, who he last saw work out in December:

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"It’s marked [improvement] from where he was back in September. He threw it accurately, he threw it with a good, tight spiral, and he threw it with velocity. Generally, he looked like a pretty confident quarterback out there."

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Assuming for a moment that this is indeed the case, I can reasonably make two other assumptions.

1. If the Colts truly are prepared to move on from Manning, they are going to try like crazy to get Manning to push back the March 8 deadline for his $28 million roster bonus so they can try to swing some sort of trade involving the star signal-caller.

2. As soon as Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder saw this report, he went back to Photoshopping Manning into a Redskins jersey, a project he's been working on for weeks.

Should the Colts be able to accomplish the first of these assumptions, then the first (and possibly only) call that Indianapolis should make is to the Washington Redskins. They are the NFL team most likely to pay the sort of hefty price tag the Colts will desire for the four-time MVP, and for two very important reasons.

1. Rex Grossman is the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins, and 52.3 percent of Peyton Manning is better than 250 percent of Rex Grossman.

2. Daniel Snyder may be many things, but he's not afraid to make a big splash. Remember, this is the guy who gave defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth $100 million. If he wants something, he gets it, price be damned.

If the Colts are unable to convince Manning to extend the deadline and Indianapolis cuts him loose, then the parade of suitors stampeding to his door had best watch their step, as they may get run over by the burgundy and gold semi filled with money that Snyder will drive up to Peyton Manning's door.

Either way, keep on Photoshopping Danny—you may get that new toy yet.