Count ESPN expert and former NFL quarterback Ron Jaworski among those who think the New York Jets should sign Peyton Manning if the soon-to-be former Indianapolis Colts quarterback is physically able to play.
Jaworski, recently removed from the ESPN 'Monday Night Football' broadcast booth, said the Jets are the best fit for Manning. From USA Today:
"I think it's best for Peyton to go and play on a team that can compete for a Super Bowl, a team that might be a quarterback away from elevating that team to Super Bowl status, and I think that would be a win-win situation."
And who might that would-be Super Bowl team that best fits Manning be?
"The New York Jets," opined Jaworski. "I love (Jets QB) Mark Sanchez, and there are 25 other quarterbacks in this league that I would take Peyton Manning over. (But) there's a turf war in New York. The Giants just won the Super Bowl. The Jets are fighting for every inch of space they can get in the newspaper. How do you get that inch? How do you get the headlines? You sign Peyton Manning."
I wrote weeks ago that the Jets would be foolish not to investigate bringing in Manning. If he is healthy enough to play I still feel that way. Manning, if he is close to the Manning of old, gives the Jets a better shot at that Super Bowl coach Rex Ryan wants so badly. Despite whatever the Jets organization says about Sanchez that fact alone make pursuing Manning the right move.