Peyton Manning Rumors: Why Former Colt Should Stay Far Away from Tennessee

Word broke today that Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams desperately wants to sign free agent quarterback Peyton Manning. While I like the Titans and think they have a nice team, the four-time MVP would be a much better fit elsewhere. 

Tennessee has a great running back in Chris Johnson but after a lengthy holdout the three-time Pro Bowler only gained 1,047 rushing yards in 2011. The Titans have a lot of money invested in Johnson and if he doesn't get back to tearing up the field like he did during his record-breaking 2009 season the franchise could be in serious trouble.

Aside from Johnson, Tennessee has a number of question marks on offense. Kenny Britt has the makings of a stud receiver, but he will be recovering from season-ending surgery on his right knee, Nate Washington had a career year in 2011 but doesn't blow anyone away with his skill set and Damian Williams and Lavelle Hawkins have yet to emerge as consistent NFL players.

While all four of those guys have the potential to be fantastic receivers in the NFL they aren't sure things. 

The problem for the Titans is that teams like the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals already have the framework in place to compete now, all they need is quarterback help. The Titans had Matt Hasselbeck last season—a mid-level NFL signal-caller—and finished 9-7.

The team's big problem was not with the passing offense, which finished 12th in the NFL averaging 245.2 yards per game. Instead, the Titans' rushing offense finished 31st league-wide at an average of just 89.9 yards per game, while their run defense ranked 24th, surrendering a dismal 128.3 yards per game.

The Titans might turn things around on both sides of the ball next season but simply adding a quarterback won't change the team's fortunes. In addition to that, Manning seems averse to looking over his shoulder and Tennessee spent a first-round pick on quarterback Jake Locker during last year's draft.

Sadly for Bud Adams his team just doesn't appear to be a fit for what Manning is looking for and the 11-time Pro Bowler would be much better suited elsewhere.