Manning HAS BEEN a great quarterback. The nature of his injury is likely to affect that. Reports are that he sustained nerve damage that left him with little strength in his throwing hand and arm. Those who are counting on his return are expecting that nerve to regenerate and for that process to be complete in less than a year.
I don't believe it to be in the Dolphins' best interests to invest their entire rebuilding process in a quarterback who is close to the end of his career AND is trying to rehabilitate from a catastrophic injury. If the Colts let him go, it will be because he is no longer the Peyton Manning he once was. Remember Daunte Culpepper, Trent Green and other veteran hopes of salvation who were brought in and even in the middle term left us with nothing. We need to invest in someone who will have time to pay dividends.