NFL Rumors: Best, Worst Rumors of the Week

What NFL rumor hasn't been about Peyton Manning this week?

It's a huge story that Manning doesn't know who he'll play for in the fall for the first time in 14 years. However, there are more things to cover, as free agency is a mere five days away.

Sure, Manning dominated the NFL conversation this week. Which team should he go to? Which team is the best fit for him? Which teams should he stay away from?

There have been other rumors concerning the Rams' second overall pick, who might trade up to get it and how much the Rams believe it's worth.

Also, Randy Moss worked out for the Saints this week, and reportedly "looked like the old Randy." Even if Moss is in good shape, is he still able to do what we've seen him do over the years?

Here is my take on the three best and the three worst rumors of the week.

Let the debate begin.

First Best: Manning to Miami

While I've been saying Manning should go to another team in an Eastern division, this makes the most sense on the surface.

Dolphins new head coach Joe Philbin comes over from Green Bay, where he coordinated an offense that relied heavily on the quarterback and the quarterback's ability to tweak plays and coverages on the fly, while having limited support from the running game.

Miami is a team that has a very good nucleus in place, one that boasts players that are in their prime, or quickly approaching their prime.

If Manning signed with the Dolphins, he would be protected on his blind side by All-Pro left tackle Jake Long. He could throw to Brandon Marshall (above), who holds the NFL's all-time record for receptions in a single game (21). Furthermore, Reggie Bush is a dynamic runner who has added between-the-tackles running to his repertoire.

That's just the beginning. Odds are wherever Manning goes, Reggie Wayne will follow. Manning and Wayne played together for 10 years, and won Super Bowl XLI together in 2006.

That game was played in Miami. Manning has a house in Miami. Wayne went to college at the University of Miami.

The Dolphins also have young defensive stars such as Cameron Wake and Vontae Davis, which could entice Manning even more, seeing as how the Colts' defense held him back more often than not.

Second Best: Manning to Washington

For a long time, I've been saying Peyton Manning should sign with the Redskins. Owner Dan Snyder has really deep pockets, and head coach Mike Shanahan knows what it's like to coach a Hall of Fame quarterback to multiple Super Bowl victories.

Of course, the Redskins would have to draft players and sign free agents that are very talented and take football as seriously as Manning does.

Even though most every game Manning played in was nationally televised, imagine the exposure he'd get in a city like Washington D.C., and in a division like the NFC East. Manning against the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants a total of six times each year would be a ratings eruption.

Now, Santana Moss and Fred Davis aren't Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, but Washington's defense (13th in 2011) is much better than the defense Peyton had in Indy (25th in 2011).

After all, even though the Redskins did lose to the Cowboys twice in 2011, it was by a combined five points. And the same New York Giants team that won Super Bowl XLVI got swept by Washington, losing those two games by a combined score of 51-24.

Folks, say what you want about the Redskins, but they are not far away. If they had any semblance of consistency from the quarterback position and could keep their running backs on the field, they'd probably be in the playoffs.

Manning will make average players very good (maybe even great). He doesn't need a wealth of offensive talent. He ought to sign with a team that has a strong, young defense.

I don't know if having to play his brother twice a year would deter Peyton from taking advantage of a situation like this. I mean, if he played in Miami, he'd have to go against Tom Brady twice a year.

Eli Manning is great, but I'd rather not have to compete with Tom Brady for a divisional title.

Third Best: Manning to Kansas City

Like I previously wrote, Peyton Manning would be well served to play for a team that has a young group of defensive stars. Eric Berry, Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson make up the core of the Chiefs' defense. At every level on defense, Kansas City has Pro Bowl potential.

On offense, the Chiefs welcome back Jamaal Charles, who missed all but two games last year with a torn left ACL. He still managed to gain an average of 6.9 yards per carry. Charles and the Chiefs excel at the stretch play, a running scheme Manning and the Colts used extensively in his 14 years there.

The success of Charles running would enable Manning to pick defenses apart via the play action pass.

Manning's main threats in the passing game would be Dwayne Bowe (6'2", 221 pounds), Jonathan Baldwin (6'4", 230 pounds) and Tony Moeaki (6'3", 252 pounds).

In Indianapolis, Manning's biggest receiver was Reggie Wayne (6'0", 198 pounds).

The Chiefs will have a new head coach in 2012, Romeo Crennel. From 2001-04, Crennel was the defensive coordinator of the New England Patriots, which was the main team in Manning's way throughout his career.

During that span, Crennel's defense ranked first in interceptions returned for touchdowns (14), second in points allowed (16.3 points per game) and third in sacks (45 per season).

Who was the coach that led Manning to a Super Bowl victory? Tony Dungy, a calm, personable, defensive coach.

Who is Romeo Crennel? A calm, personable, defensive coach.

First Worst: Manning to New York (Jets)

Okay, I promise this is that last part about Peyton Manning.

Mark Sanchez is a good quarterback. Nothing more, nothing less.

He was the quarterback of the team that went to two straight AFC Championships. While you have to be good to be playing on a team that gets that far, that doesn't mean you were the reason for the team's success.

If Manning were to play for the Jets, he'd clearly be an upgrade over Sanchez. However, it simply wouldn't work. The media circus, heck the locker room circus, that would ensue each daily would be too much.

Forget the offensive line problems and the defensive issues, and forget (if possible) the Santonio Holmes saga. Even though Manning has thrown for over seven times more touchdowns than Sanchez (399-55) and almost six times as many passing yards (54,828-9,209), the Jets have too much invested in Sanchez for him not to start.

New York traded up 12 spots in the 2009 draft to select Sanchez, and will owe him $14.25 million in 2012.

There has also been talk about Manning not wanting to play against or near his brother Eli, if possible.

Even if Manning played for the Dolphins, Miami and Manhattan are about 1,400 miles apart.

If Manning played for the Jets, he'd play in the same city and in the same stadium as his brother plays in. That could be too close for comfort.

Seond Worst: Browns Trade Up for RGIII

I'm not saying Colt McCoy is the answer for the Browns, but he does need more time.

Yes, the Browns went 0-6 in the AFC North last year, but they didn't lose a game by more than 11 points. I know that's not a ringing endorsement, but the other three teams in the division went to the playoffs.

In my opinion, he should get at least one more year as Cleveland's starter.

While I think Robert Griffin III could be better than McCoy in the not-too-distant future, I think the Browns have more pressing needs than quarterback.

Running back, safety, wide receiver and tight end are all places where Cleveland could improve.

Cleveland currently holds the No. 4 and the No. 22 selections in the first round. If they were to trade up to No. 2 and select Griffin, they would certainly have to give up both of those first-round picks, which would be a huge mistake.

Why do you think St. Louis is so happy about their position? They think Sam Bradford is going to be their long-term starter, but they know trading down in the draft is the best type of insurance.

Consider this:

• Bradford's career record, in the NFL's worst division (NFC West): 8-18
• McCoy's career record, in the NFL's best division (AFC North): 6-15

If the Browns stayed with McCoy, they could almost certainly select Trent Richardson and either Ryan Tannehill, Michael Floyd or Kendall Wright, without having to give up anything.

If they traded up for Griffin, they would not only lose their two first-round picks this year, but would probably lose a premier pick (or two) in 2013 as well.

I hope Griffin does very well, but the Oklahoma and Texas defenses are not the Ravens' and Steelers' defenses.

McCoy may not be very good now, but with Richardson, a dynamic wide receiver and his two years of experience in the NFL, he has a better shot to win than Griffin would as a rookie with none of that help.

Third Worst: Randy Moss to the Saints

Randy Moss is the most talented wide receiver in NFL history.

Jerry Rice worked harder, but I believe Moss has the most talent of anyone who ever played the position.

Moss' all-time ranks in all major receiving categories:

• Ninth in receptions (954)
• Fifth in receiving yards (14,858)
• Tied for second in touchdown receptions (153)

According to multiple sources, 13-year NFL great Randy Moss worked out for the Saints on Tuesday. The sources say he looked very good and ran a lot of different routes.

While I think Moss could come back in 2012 and be a good player, and while I think he's the most talented receiver ever, I would caution the Saints about making this move (if they are seriously considering it).

First of all, there's a reason why he played for three different teams in a seven week span in 2010. That 2010 season was Moss' worst in terms of receptions (28), yards (393) and was his second worst touchdown output (5) in his 13 NFL seasons.

Considering those facts, and that Moss didn't play at all in 2011, with all the distractions and discord currently in New Orleans, how would signing Moss be a step in the right direction?

Your franchise player, the all-time single-season passing leader and one of the top three quarterbacks in the NFL (Drew Brees) is unhappy with you for not paying him well enough. You've been accused of paying your defenders for big hits via a 'bounty' program. You just had Randy Moss in town for a workout.

Maybe it's just me, but I feel like it's a bad time for the Saints to be exploring the possibility of signing Moss.