Throughout the week March Madness started, Linsanity ended and Andy Pettitte wrapped up by emerging from a short-lived retirement, the NFL proved football still reigns supreme in the sporting world.
Friday morning began with a steady stream of breaking news updates regarding Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen boarding his private jet with coach John Fox to fly to Durham, N.C., where Peyton Manning is working out with his former college offensive coordinator from Tennessee and current Duke coach, David Cutcliffe.
That development, as well as the first sign of contract talks (all involved teams are reportedly comfortable working around Manning's previous five-year, $90 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts), seemed to position the Broncos ahead of the competition in pursuit of the 11-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl XLI MVP.
That sentiment only lasted so long, however. Shortly after the reports of the Denver contingent traveling to Durham were confirmed, news broke that Manning had already threw passes Tuesday night and taken a physical Wednesday for the San Francisco 49ers. Coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman reportedly witnessed a "very impressive" showing from Manning, leading the 49ers to conduct the physical the next day.
Of course, before anyone even made it to lunchtime, NFL Network's Michael Lombardi then reported that Manning would also work out for the Tennessee Titans, though a date has not been set. Somewhere in between it all, ESPN also reported that Manning will provide any team that signs him with ample financial protection in the event he suffers a setback in his rehabilitation from neck surgeries.
Consequently, the lone certifiable conclusion that can be drawn from Friday's events is that "Peyton Manning's Magical Mystery Tour," as SI.com's Don Banks wonderfully termed it, as narrowed to a three-team derby between the Broncos, 49ers and Titans.
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