Arizona Cardinals out of race for free agent QB Peyton Manning’s signing-NFL News
The Arizona Cardinals have stepped out of the race for the free agent quarterback, Peyton Manning, few days after the player was linked to a visit of the team’s headquarters and meeting the officials.
Cardinals are reported to have locked in their quarterback, Kevin Kolb, to a $7 million deal, apparently being satisfied with him on the starting position.
So this has left Peyton Manning open to signing by the Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers or Tennessee Titans.
According to some reports he is expected to come out with his final decision on Tuesday, March 20, 2012.
Ken Whisenhunt, Cardinals’ head coach, said of the move:
"Since the end of last season we made it very clear that our plan was to head into 2012 with Kevin Kolb and John Skelton, let the process play out and -- like at every position -- go with the quarterback who gives us the best chance to win.”
He added:
"Obviously something very unique and unexpected presented itself. We've said it many times: if there's an opportunity to make our team better we'll explore it. In the end it didn't work out but from our perspective it was very positive and we certainly don't
have any regrets about it.”
Cardinals were reported to be pursuing Manning’s signing soon after the release by Colts and the player on the way back from Broncos met with their front office officials.
So for nothing has come out as to be the main reason for Cardinals giving the second thought to the plans, but it could be the higher demand for the QB in the market that they felt themselves unable to match a higher bid from another side.
Otherwise, all teams are said to be satisfied with the player’s health and fitness level, which could have been another reason for them to back out of the prospects.
The coach said that they were happy with the present quarterbacks and would like to carry on from the past season’s momentum of seven wins out of their last nine games. He said that the wins have set the future course for them and they were leaving things
unchanged.
Cardinals said to have had the plan to retain Kevin Kolb but since availability of Peyton Manning on the free agency doubts started emerging around the possibility.
All the confusion around it now stands clear, as the management has officially confirmed the new deal to the player. John Skelton is the other quarterback who will continue to playing along side Kolb.
Meanwhile, all contenders awaiting Peyton Manning are expecting a decision from him this week. This is the second week of the player’s availability on the free agency without a final and solid offer from any team.
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