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All signs point to 49ers landing Manning

Mar 18, 2012 at 5:26 PM


On the heels of a surprising, uncharacteristic acquisition of Randy Moss, the 49ers are in voracious pursuit of future Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning. In the beginning of the weekend, Manning announced that he would make a decision on Monday or Tuesday.

In an approximate 24-hour span following:

  • The 49ers signed Mario Manningham
  • News broke that Smith was parting ways with agent Tom Condon (who also represent Manning)
  • Alex Smith flew to Miami
  • Alex Smith scheduled a visit with the Seahawks
  • Matt Flynn signed with the Seahawks
  • Alex Smith began negotiating with Miami

Unless the 49ers are truly taking a wild gamble, all of this movement in such a short span of time would suggest that the 49ers and Manning have an imminent verbal agreement that has leaked to circles within the NFL. Especially to Smith, who sat motionless throughout free agency and suddenly hit the road in a fury looking for work.

Should Manning sign elsewhere and Smith head to South Beach, the 49ers will have an awful lot of explaining to do and need a firm backup plan in place.

Please see Matt Barrows' article that explores some extremely compelling points in the Manning-to-SF debate.
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.


19 Comments

  • overthemiddle
    This is now a moot point - Manning to Denver and Smith is still talking to the Dolphins
    Mar 19, 2012 at 1:34 PM
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    Response: Very true. Looks like I was off base on this one. Pretty surprised. After reading news of Manning not wanting to be in SF under the "Super Bowl or Bust" mentality that would surround the transaction, I've lost respect for him and his competitiveness.
  • dumpsterrider
    As a life long niner fan i am disapointed with the 49ers the character and integrity are gone. I hope we don't get Manning and Smith goes elsewhere he deserves better. The greed has exploded in San Francisco. Harbaugh has shown his true colors. Not a team guy aa "ME" guy.
    Mar 19, 2012 at 6:26 AM
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  • King
    Smith wont sign with no other team unless we sign manning. So if we don't sign manning then we have smith its a win win.
    Mar 19, 2012 at 4:32 AM
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  • Darryl B.
    Alex Smith needs to sit on the bench and learn from the legend (Manning). just like Steve Young sat on the bench and learn from Joe Montana, and Young became a great legend!! (smile)
    Mar 19, 2012 at 12:55 AM
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  • candelario
    I think manning is just playing his cards because he will not go to nfc, that means he would play his brother in divisonal playoffs instead of the superbowl.
    Mar 18, 2012 at 11:11 PM
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  • Jk
    I hope there's egg on your face. Your wrong as are moat of the writers. Alex going to Miami does not make it a sure or close ro sure bet Peyton comes here. It's that management truly realizes Alex isn't the qb to lead us in our new stadium. He had a chance last year, and did well. Now it's time to cut the chord and move on. Josh Johnson or whoever else I'm fine with. I will take the opinion and evaluation of harbaugh all you webzone writers and bloggers.
    Mar 18, 2012 at 9:59 PM
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    Response: This was a fairly incoherent comment but thanks for reaching out anyway. It's clearly speculation at this point on my part, but there's some strong evidence suggesting that P. Manning will go to San Francisco. It's his best chance to win.
  • Duff
    Might as well take the gamble, not like Alex smith is that great of a qb. Even if we don't get manning and smith leaves it will be the best thing to happen to the 49ers in a decade.
    Mar 18, 2012 at 8:55 PM
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  • Todd
    If Manning signs with the Titans, I don't see him winning a Super Bowl!
    Mar 18, 2012 at 7:45 PM
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  • xenis
    i have a question for you all out there. how long do you think J,H. OR BALKE is willing to hold ALEX SMITHS hand in order to guide him through the traffic so he does nt get hit by a car? the niners need Manning ,he does nt need any one to hold his hand .he can navigate the game all by himself. go niners SUPER BOWL OR BUST BABY. like the old days of WALSH AND DE BARTOLO. WOW THOSE WERE THE DAYS.
    Mar 18, 2012 at 7:37 PM
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    Response: Absolutely, this team went from doing everything in its power to NOT improve the team, to doing the exact opposite over this past year. The front office has really pulled a 180-degree turnaround under Baalke/Harbaugh.
  • Dave
    Yes, those of you who have speculated that Manning will go to the Titans, you are right.....Associated Press has just leaked information that the Titans and Manning have reached a verbal agreement and will announce his sigining on Tuesday....the 49ers must give a sigh of relief that Alex Smith is coming back to SF and did not sign with the Dolphins. The AP story said that Harbaugh called Smith today (Sunday) in Miami and told him that Manning would not sigh with the 49ers and to get his butt back to SF!
    Mar 18, 2012 at 7:25 PM
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  • Diamond
    YES YES YES!!!! I AM LOVING THIS MORE AND MORE!!! CAN YOU SAY SUPER BOWL!!!!! WHO'S GOT IT BETTER THEN US..... NOBODY!!!! LMFAO!!! LETS GO 49ERS!!!!
    Mar 18, 2012 at 7:10 PM
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  • Nick S.
    "S" is for speculation.
    Mar 18, 2012 at 6:18 PM
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    Response: That's all anyone has until Peyton gives the word my friend.
  • Jon
    I seriously think this is hypothetical. Now, as a 9ers fan, I hope you're right. I'm afraid the Titans are gonna tak'em.
    Mar 18, 2012 at 6:16 PM
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  • Andrew
    None of those 6 "events" tell me that the 49ers are about to sign Manning.
    Mar 18, 2012 at 6:06 PM
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  • Paul_Hofer
    The Flynn and Manningham signings have nothing to do with Manning. Smith's activity could be taking place without Manning making a verbal agreement with anyone. News didn't break about Smith parting ways with Condon, but only a rumor that he was "considering" it. Your speculation is a "wild gamble." Kind of sad hysteria.
    Mar 18, 2012 at 6:01 PM
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  • Sergio
    We better get alex or manning i dont think colin kaepicnick is ready to start
    Mar 18, 2012 at 5:42 PM
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  • steve
    This my thought, Smith has been told about Manning coming to SF and is now going to get another job. The only other option is they think CK is ready and want to go that route.
    Mar 18, 2012 at 5:40 PM
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  • Matt
    This seems a little premature. If Smith signs with Miami then I would see that as a sign that he has inside info that Manning will be coming to SF. Otherwise, I can't see him giving up on SF so quickly. He knows SF is the best situation for him.
    Mar 18, 2012 at 5:39 PM
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  • Patrick
    Either that, or an epic fail that will leave the 49ers without a quality starting QB! In my opinion, I think Peyton Manning will sign with the Tennessee Titans.
    Mar 18, 2012 at 5:38 PM
    0

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