2012 NFL Free Agents: Latest on Peyton Manning and More Offseason Questions

There has never been a more volatile free-agency market, and that has everything to do with one of the best quarterbacks to ever play in Peyton Manning. 

The former Indianapolis Colts star is on the open market and that means the landscape of the NFL is about to shift in a major way. 

He is but one story among a myriad of interesting subplots to make note of at this moment. Here is the latest on Manning and other players that are now looking for new homes in the NFL. 

Peyton Manning

ESPN reports there are still a couple more meetings that need to happen before Manning decides on his next football team. 

Chris Mortensen writes the following: 

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Among the coaches Peyton Manning plans to personally meet with during the next three days include Joe Philbin of the Miami Dolphins and Mike Munchak of the Tennessee Titans, according to sources...

Manning, a free agent, definitely will not be choosing a team by 4 p.m. Tuesday, the commencement of the new league year...

Despite those sources' contention about the Broncos and Cardinals as favorites, Manning has not engaged either in contract negotiations.

Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs failed in their attempts to get Manning to visit their facilities and are no longer considered contenders for the quarterback, sources said.

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There is simply no way of knowing who is a favorite as of this time, but you can eliminate the Seahawks and the Chiefs for the time being. 

There are a handful of teams still in play for the best quarterback on the market. 

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys need an upgrade at corner and have shuffled who they are concentrating on for that end. 

Here is a report from Fox Sports Southwest's Matt Mosley via tweet.

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I'm hearing that Brandon Carr is no longer the Cowboys' top target at CB in free agency. Cortland Finnegan is in pole position as of today.

— Matt Mosley (@mattmosley) March 12, 2012"

The Cowboys would get one of the fiercest competitors as well as one of the most polarizing corners in the league. 

Finnegan is a player that you loathe until he is suiting up for your squad. 

New York Giants

The Giants have parted ways with Brandon Jacobs and are looking at adding a seasoned vet to play behind Ahmad Bradshaw. 

We now have another name among the many that have already been rumored. Mike Tolbert was on Sirius NFL radio and had this to say. Via Adam Schein.

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Tolbert: "With Jacobs leaving I think I could fit that void pretty well." He also raved about Eli. #GIANTS #SIZZLE

— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) March 12, 2012"

There have been a few running backs rumored. ESPN's Tim Kavanagh rumors that Ronnie Brown, Michael Bush, Ryan Grant, Peyton Hillis and BenJarvus Green-Ellis may all be under consideration. 

Tolbert brings certain intangibles to his next team as a stout pass protector and receiver out of the backfield. He may be the best option of the lot. 

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