NFL Rumors: Jeff Saturday Confident Peyton Manning Will Play in 2012

Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday was recently asked whether or not his close friend Peyton Manning is going to be able to play in the NFL in 2012, to which he confidently responded, "Absolutely."

Saturday is working as an analyst for NFL Network this weekend at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. His comments clarify the inevitable truth that Manning is going to play, for better or for worse. Saturday told NFL Network, via ProFootballTalk:

"

I talk to him regularly. I love 18. He’s my guy, so I communicate with him regularly. He’s doing his deal, and he’s getting ready, and he’ll be playing football. I can assure you of that. I hope it’s here. But he’ll be playing somewhere. Absolutely.

"

The likelihood of Manning returning in 2012 to the Colts isn't looking good, though. Remember, there is a monstrous $28 million roster bonus that will be automatically due to Manning on March 8, 2012. 

It's almost certain that the Colts are going to draft Andrew Luck with the first overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft, so I don't see Jim Irsay getting too excited about paying Manning that kind of cash.

There is no guarantee that Manning will be able to withstand the rigors of an NFL training camp or a blindside hit, even if he does become fully capable of throwing at full strength.

Manning has been seriously linked to at least five different teams lately: the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets.

According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, via Rotoworld: "The popular sentiment at the Combine is that the Dolphins, Cardinals and Redskins are the top three possibilities, in that order."

Some team will go all-in to acquire Manning's Hall of Fame talents, but it remains to be seen if it will be to its benefit or not. 

The only thing I know for sure is that the guys at NFL Network are going to get sick and tired of talking about Manning by the time training camp rolls around, and "Manning Watch" is going to make "Favre Watch" look like child's play.

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