This Manning stuff has all the markings of a Pyrrhic victory. If we win, what have we won? Manning is nearly done, even if he's healthy. The Chiefs got 2-years out of Montana. So we successfully court Manning. It'll sell tickets, but it doesn't get us anywhere long-term even if it works out as well as it possibly could. Everyone is happy clappy about the prospect of Manning, Clark and Wayne in Dolphins' uniforms, like they're getting the triumvirate from 5-years ago. Chances are such a re-teaming would look more like Kenny Stabler and Dave Casper in Oilers' uniforms, then in Raiders' uniforms.
This ownership is trying to make a short-term decision that it hopes will take the heat off the front office and the owner himself and at least temporarily restore the financial viability of the team by selling more tickets and jerseys. I cannot for the life of me understand why people would be excited by Manning throwing to Clark and Wayne. Wayne is in decline and Clark is just washed up. He's only started 16-games in the last 2-years. He's done. Yet guys are pretending that this re-teaming would somehow vault us into contention, so it must happen at any cost. From a perception standpoint signing Manning is probably necessary for this franchise, so low has it sunk, but from a competitive standpoint it's more likely to end with a broken Manning wincing in pain on the sideline.
If you were going to sign someone like Manning, at his age, with his injury concerns, why on earth would you sign such a guy to a team that is clearly rebuilding? At least when the Chiefs made a play for Joe Montana they were already there. They were ready for Super Bowl contention, they just needed a veteran quarterback, they had everything else. When the Steelers considered making a play for Marino at the end, they had a contender already, they just needed the QB, Marino at least had the good sense to nix the idea, but apparently Manning will not be dissuaded and neither will a desperate
franchise and owner.
