The Peyton Manning publicity caravan has officially arrived at their next stop: the Arizona Cardinals. Kent Somers is reporting that Ken Whisenhunt, the team’s head coach, is accompanying Manning as he begins his visit there today. Manning also spent significant time with the Denver Broncos earlier this week.
The Cardinals went in big last season with a contract and NFL Draft assets to acquire back-up quarterback Kevin Kolb from the Philadephia Eagles, but that move didn’t work out as planned. He is still the fallback option (like Tim Tebow) if Manning were to sign elsewhere, but certainly Whisenhunt and company have to hope that Manning is interested in pulling a Kurt Warner and spending the last few years of his Hall of Fame career in Phoenix.
The Cardinals have a number of things working in their direction. Elements like having a top flight receiver like Larry Fitzgerald will not hurt. The weak division of the NFC West and the nice weather in Phoenix, including a new domed stadium, will not hurt their cause either.
The Chiefs and Dolphins also await to see if Manning will come their way after all or whether the former Colts quarterback will make his decision sooner than later.