Peyton Manning to Arizona Cardinals: Veteran QB Would Fail Miserably in Desert

Forget about the prospects of Peyton Manning throwing the ball deep to Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and lighting up scoreboards in Arizona and around the league in 2012, because that scenario is not as promising as it seems.

In fact, Manning would fail miserably with the Cardinals for more reasons than one. We will get to those in a minute. 

According to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic, Manning is in the Phoenix area this weekend to talk with the Arizona Cardinals about his situation as a free agent.

The 35-year-old quarterback could very well sign with the Cardinals if they decide to open some space by waving goodbye to Kevin Kolb, who played only nine games in 2011 because of a mid-season turf-toe injury and late-season concussion-related symptoms.

Somers cites the following as Arizona's motivation to move soon on Manning:

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"The Cardinals likely want the process to proceed quickly. They are motivated not only by the start of free agency Tuesday, but by a bonus of $7 million they are due to pay quarterback Kevin Kolb if he's on the roster March 17."

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Although flashbacks of Kurt Warner and the Cardinals' magical 2008 run to Super Bowl XLIII arise when we think of a skilled veteran passer like Manning calling the shots in Arizona's presumed weapon-heavy offense, it must be pointed out that this Arizona team is different, much different.

Take the offensive line for example. Before Warner called it quits after the 2009 season, he was facing an increasing amount of pressure and contact from defensive fronts. Look at this disturbing trend from the Cardinals over the past three regular seasons:

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Sacks Allowed by Season (Regular Season Result)

2009 - 26 (10-6, Lost in Divisional Playoffs)

2010 - 50 (5-11, Missed Playoffs)

2011 - 54 (8-8, Missed Playoffs)

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That sort of protection, or lack thereof bodes horribly for Manning and his sensitive neck and throwing arm. Unless his only goal is to sit on the sideline and collect a paycheck from the Cardinals, he would be wise to look for work elsewhere.

Also realize that the Cardinals' wide receiving corps is hardly the armory it was in 2008 when Arizona passed itself to the Super Bowl. That season Warner had three separate 1,000-plus yard wideouts at his disposal, but Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston have since departed. Only Fitzgerald remains.

Sure, Manning can make just about any wide receiver look like a stud, but how realistic is it to expect him to do that with one of the league's worst offensive lines, the NFL's 24th-ranked rushing attack, and not to mention a below average defense at his back?

The Cardinals defense forced only 19 turnovers in 2011, compared to 30 during the their Super Bowl season. That lack of contribution will be impossible for Manning to overcome all by himself. 

Peyton Manning to the Arizona Cardinals is a disaster waiting to happen. Manning would fail miserably in such a situation, falling victim to constant pressure and hits and perhaps his first losing season in what seems like ages.