Forget about the "5 reasons Manning should sign with this team or that team"...just look at it form his perspective and what is agenda is.
At Mannings age and having been forced to sit out last season, he is focused on one thing and one thing only - winning the Super Bowl within the next 3 years (maybe 2). So his decision on which team to play for will be all about that teams ability to get him there. Its not about who needs a QB, who has money to spend...
What's important to Manning:
Confrence - He is not inclined to play in the NFC as he does not want to duel with his brother prior to reaching the SB.
Playoffs - Can the Team win its division and seccure home feild advantage for playoffs?
Organizational Structure - are there people in place who he trusts and is it stable?
Coaching Philosophy - Can Manning fit with the system/bring his system and call the plays he wants on offence?
Defence - Is the team defence good enough on its own or will it undermine the work of the offence?
Personel - Can the team afford some of the castoff players from the Colts (Wayne, Clarke etc.) who will make the transition easier/faster?
With this in mind, and assuming it's a 3 team race for Manning - Denver, Arizona and Miami, who is the favorite?
Confrence - Denver and Miami are in AFC. Arizona NFC
Playoffs - AFC West very winnable, only underperforming Chargers are a threat. AFC East belongs to Pats, Jets imploding, Bills improving. NFC West - 49's team to beat, they have it all.
Organizational Structure - Denver - Relationship with Elway and Coach Fox, Miami - no history with anyone, Arizona - strong personal relationship with coach.
Coaching Philosophy - This is less of an issue with all three teams - who wouldn't want to give Manning the freedom he wants - that's what makes him great!
Defence - Denver and Miami have very good pieces in place, Arizona...not so much.
Personel - Denver has the most money to spend followed by Miami then Arizona.
So in my mind, even being a lifelong Fins fan, I think the best place for Manning to play, based on the criteria I've set out, is Denver. Mile High stadium is a great home feild advantage and he will exploit it to the max.
And just to be clear, this has nothing to do with Ross, Ireland or Philbin "striking out" of just being "lame" at their jobs. Its just the circumstances as there are right now.
And who knows, maybe Miami blows Manning away with some super presentations that wins him over and he does infact sign with Miami! That would be great!!
But lets keep things in perspective as we move along the process.
