Peyton Manning Rumors: Growing Arm Strength Makes QB Key to 2012 Season

Peyton Manning will turn whatever team that lands him into an instant contender. He is likely to be cut loose by the Colts, which will turn him into one of the biggest free agents in the history of the league. 

The only thing that would temper teams' interest in the four-time MVP is the matter of his recovery. Recently, people have suggested that Manning has not been able to recapture his arm strength. 

Indy Star columnist Bob Kravitz was on the Tony Kornheiser Show and went as far as to say Manning's arm was a "noodle." 

However, there have been comments that suggest this is not an accurate assessment and that Peyton's arm is returning to the mighty weapon that has terrorized opposing defenses. 

The Rumors

Former Colts' exec Bill Polian was on ESPN's PTI and was quoted on NFL.com as saying:

"

"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."

"

NFL.com also noted that he said Manning will return "at a high level."

He is not the only one claiming Manning is making progress. Adam Vinatieri was on WAXY 790 AM and quoted on NFL.com

"

"I haven't watched him the last few weeks, but I did see him at the end of the season. He was developing nicely. Was he quite all the way back yet? No, probably not. Not to his standards.

"But he definitely is not that far off."

"

Obviously, comments on someone's arm strength can be a very subjective thing and it leaves a lot of room for interpretation, but the fact that two experienced NFL minds that know Peyton's arm well are willing to go on record saying his arm looked good is a promising thing for Peyton's future.  

Peyton's 2012 Impact

Manning is one of the greatest QBs to ever play the game. Yes, he is getting up there in years at 35, but as long as his arm is ready to go he still has a few years of elite play. 

In 2010, the last season Peyton played, he set a career high in yards and posted his second most TDs. 

It will take him a moment to knock off the rust, but once he acclimates to the speed of the game he will be ready to dominate. 

Any team that lands him will have an elite offense. This is a QB that can function behind a poor offensive line and turns mediocre receivers into extremely productive ones.