Peyton Manning Rumors: Arizona Cardinals Have Emerged as Favorites to Sign Him

Peyton Manning is expected to meet with the Arizona Cardinals today, according to NBC's Evan Silva per NFL Network's Jason La Canfora. 

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"NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reports that free agent Peyton Manning has “nothing scheduled” after his Saturday night and Sunday visit in Arizona. Manning is expected to return to his Miami condo following the meeting with Cardinals brass."

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As rumors, reports and speculation run rampant regarding the next National Football League destination for quarterback Peyton Manning no fewer than a dozen NFL teams have been mentioned as potential landing spots for the four-time NFL MVP, and while some of the horses in race to procure his services have pulled up lame or fallen to the back of the pack, the Arizona Cardinals appear to have nosed their way into the lead.

Two of the teams originally mentioned among the leading suitors for Manning have apparently been all but been eliminated as possibilities, as reports are already circulating that Manning's camp has made it clear that he has no intention of playing for the New York Jets or Washington Redskins, including a tweet Friday from ESPN's Rich Cimini.

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From all indications, #Jets are out of the Manning sweepstakes. Looks like Mia, Den and Ariz.

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) March 9, 2012"

Manning will make his first visit Friday night to the Denver Broncos in a trip that has likely sent Tim Tebow's legions of fans into an apoplectic fit, but the Miami Herald's Armando Salguero believes that Manning's visit to the Broncos is cursory and more a matter of the 14-year veteran doing his due diligence than an indication of his genuine interest in playing in Denver, and that it would take a monster offer for Manning to join the broncos.

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I've been told Manning's decision is basically Arizona or Miami. Denver's John Elway would have to fashion a DRIVE type rally to get him.

— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) March 9, 2012"

Peyton Manning has also reportedly scheduled visits with the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals, and while the Dolphins have been rumored as one of the front-runners to sign Manning since his release Wednesday and owner Stephen Ross is prepared to make a big push for the future Hall of Famer, the odds of Manning signing in South Florida may have taken a hit according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

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I think there are certain circumstances that prevented certain people from choosing Miami. And I think that those factors will come into play with Peyton Manning. I think their chances right now are dwindling some. ... Miami doesn't seem to have an advantage that it did a few days ago, in the estimation of many people around the league.

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That brings us to the Arizona Cardinals, and as Arizona Republic reporter Kent Somers, who is one of the more respected beat writers in the country, points out to ESPN the Redbirds should have plenty to show Manning when he arrives in the Valley of the Sun this weekend.

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The Cardinals have as much going for them in the competition as any of the cities mentioned. The've got a coach who has proven he can adapt an offense to fit a veteran quarterback. They have an elite receiver, an up-and-coming young defense. They are going to play maybe 11, 13 dome games next year. Who knows? The one guy we haven't heard from in all this is Peyton and what is important to him. The rest of us are just speculating. But since we're speculating, I think the Cardinals should be right in it.

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The thing is, if a report by FOX Sports Adam Schein is to be believed we may have heard from Manning after a fact, and if Schein is correct the interest that the Cardinals have in Peyton Manning may be far from one-sided.

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Sources tell us the Arizona Cardinals want to sign Manning. They would eradicate Kevin Kolb from the roster. John Skelton, a quarterback whom Ken Whisenhunt likes a lot and won with in the second half last year, would be the backup and insurance in case Manning got hurt. Manning, according to different sources, has put out feelers about the Cardinals. He is very intrigued by playing with Larry Fitzgerald and bringing Wayne along as his wingman.

Make no mistake; part of the Cardinals' plan would be to sign Wayne if they brought Manning on board. It has been discussed at length internally. Manning is said to respect and like Whisenhunt and has reached out via intermediaries to learn more about him. Sources say Manning also likes Arizona’s young, talented defense.

There is legit mutual interest in a Manning-Cardinals marriage.

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For what it's worth the city of Phoenix appears to also be doing its part to lure Peyton Manning to the desert, and as KPHO-TV in Phoenix reports Cardinals fans are doing their best to roll out the red carpet in an effort to lure the superstar signal-caller to Arizona.

"R&S mattress erected a billboard in his name off of Interstate 10 near 40th Street, inviting him to call Phoenix his new home. Websites like Peyton2AZ.com are popping up with petitions - or 'Peytitions' - that fans can sign to entice the former Colt to don a Cardinals jersey."

There are certainly other teams in play, such as the Kansas City Chiefs (who have reportedly offered Peyton Manning a contract sight unseen) and Seattle Seahawks, but as the Peyton Manning saga unfolds it appears that the stars may be aligning for Peyton Manning to join Kurt Warner as quarterbacks destined for Canton that rose from the ashes in Phoenix.

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