This year, the NFL offseason has been anything but boring.
In perhaps the biggest move of the year, the Denver Broncos landed a proven winner in Peyton Manning. The on-field general has led the league in quarterback winning percentage over the last decade with the Indianapolis Colts, and boasts a championship ring from Super Bowl XLI. With that being said, can both the Broncos and the Colts prove themselves to be winners in 2012?
Manning showed his true character through his release from the Colts, and throughout the whole free agency ordeal that saw him land in the Mile High City. Now, only time will tell if his tenure at the helm in Denver — where he will try to reassert himself as a dominant force in the NFL — will be as fruitful as his tenure in Indianapolis.
San Francisco may have been Manning’s best chance to win a Super Bowl. The 2011 49ers arguably have the better defence and better receivers, although a healthy Manning is capable of making average receivers great. The ’Niners also have solid coach in Jim Harbaugh, who has helped turn the franchise around in the short time he has been with the team.
The arrival of Manning meant that Tim Tebow, the young quarterback with a penchant for late game winning drives, was likely on the move. On March 21, the Broncos officially traded away the object of Tebowmania to the New York Jets, in exchange for draft picks. There, he joins current Jets starting QB Mark Sanchez, in what should turn out to be the most interesting quarterback controversy of the year.
Which player can be expected to find more success in their given situations now, Manning or Tebow? The Jets made it to the AFC Championship game in both 2009 and 2010 before faltering last year, so the argument could be made that the Jets are likely to be back in the playoff picture this year, with or without Tebow at the helm.
Manning brings his veteran leadership and a proven track record of excellence to Denver. We know that Manning will be the starting quarterback for the Broncos come opening day, but no one knows who will start in New York, or how much playing time will be afforded Tebow.
Tebow, although exciting and prolific, is young and relatively unproven. Meanwhile Manning is coming off the most difficult year of his professional playing career, in which he was sidelined with serious neck issues.
Tebow is hungry to prove himself, and Manning wants to re-establish himself as a dominant NFL quarterback. The stage is set for yet another thrilling NFL season.
