Peyton Manning Rumors: Why Washington Redskins Are a Perfect Fit for QB

For Peyton Manning, the best place to play in 2012 is with the Washington Redskins. There is no place he could go that would have a realistic chance to win.

This all comes on the heels of news that was broken on Tuesday by ESPN's Chris Mortensen, saying that the Colts and Manning will reportedly go their separate ways on Wednesday. 

"

Colts and Manning will part ways, per team sources #NFL32

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) March 6, 2012"

In light of that, Dan Graziano of ESPN wrote that the Redskins are an interested suitor, which they need to be.  

"

It [Manning] has been discussed among Redskins decision-makers and has not at all been ruled out. 

"

The show must go on for Manning, and no place makes more sense for that show to go on than in the nation's capital with the Redskins. 

The Division Is Winnable

Let's not get too caught up in the fact that the New York Giants won the Super Bowl or that the "Dream Team" Philadelphia Eagles will now have a full training camp to get their team in order. The fact of the matter is that this division was won with a 9-7 record by a team that the Redskins beat twice. 

As if that wasn't enough, look at some of the losses that the Redskins (who finished 5-11) suffered in 2011:

Week 3	at Dallas Cowboys	18-16
Week 6	vs. Philadelphia	20-13
Week 9	vs. San Francisco	19-11
Week 11	vs. Dallas	27-24 (OT)
Week 14	vs. New England	34-27
Week 16	vs. Minnesota	33-26

One play (two if you count the PAT or two-point conversion) was all that separated those games from at least overtime. If you don't think Manning could have made a difference in at least four of those games, I suggest you examine his resume, and then do a little research on the careers of Rex Grossman and John Beck. 

There Is Talent in Place

Given a full year with Tim Hightower and Roy Helu, the Redskins have a solid duo of running backs to take some of the heat off of Manning. 

On top of that, they have offensive players like Jabbar Gaffney and Santana Moss. Both are veterans, and even though Manning hasn't worked with either in the past, it's hard to imagine them having a problem stepping in to work well with No. 18.

While we're on the subject of veteran talent, here is something else to think about...

This Is Peyton Manning

Okay, not terribly complicated here. Take a guy like Reggie Wayne, who's also a free agent. It seems likely that he would be interested in going to play with the man who's made him a star in the NFL. 

Even without Wayne, Manning is a Hall of Fame player. Veteran players with only a few years left would certainly be inclined to make a move to Washington and join him.

Yes, that all pure speculation. However, looking at Manning's career and how tight windows are to win, it makes an awful lot of sense to think that Manning would not go to Washington alone. 

No. 6 Pick in the Draft

The Redskins will be able to bring in a rookie ready to make an immediate impact in the NFL. It most likely won't be anyone like Trent Richardson or Justin Blackmon, but neither one is out of the question. 

Still, even without those guys, we're talking about a rookie that will be ready to step in immediately. It wouldn't have to be a project pick that Manning has to spend time grooming. 

Follow @mdixon1985