Here it is Super Bowl Sunday and the Manning making news is still the one that hasn't played in over a year. If it wasn't for Eli proclaiming that he is an elite quarterback (when he is far from elite) at the start of the season I might actually feel bad. Anyway...

On the eve of the final football game for the next 5-6 months, the world is still wondering what is going to happen with Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Will he return to Nap Town or take his considerable talents elsewhere? Like South Beach maybe?

Rumors have been flying over Peyton's supposed interest in playing for the Miami Dolphins next season (assuming he doesn't return to the Colts). The Dolphins have already made it clear that they intend to bring in a quality veteran QB next year. Can you have a better one available than Peyton Manning?

One of the concerns over signing a guy like Peyton though has been finding someone willing to pay the freight even though the package may be damaged. How this became public knowledge I don't know (and since it is on the internet it must be true), but apparently that will not be a problem. According to the ever mysterious 'sources' Peyton is willing to be flexible with his contract. This means he'll take a low salary, but would want his contract to be heavy on performance based incentives.

So if he sucks or is too hurt you don't lose much (and your jersey sales will still go through the roof); should he rock then both you (the Dolphins) and him get paid. Sounds fair to me.

Someone from Peyton's camp (i.e. his agent) had to have leaked this info. There is no other reason for it to get there otherwise. Well, as long as it isn't someone taking advantage of the internet and people's thirst for gossip.

Assuming it is real, the stage isn't just set for Peyton's departure from Indy; it's already begun.

Shakespeare himself could not have written a better tragic comedy then the one that is unfolding in front of the football world about Peyton Manning.

In case you have been under a rock for the last year, the future Hall of Famer had to have a third surgery done on his neck, the last one a spinal fusion one, and sat out this past season (hence the Colts sucking in '11). Jim Irsay was foolish enough to give him a very generous contract prior to the start of '11, but then Peyton was kind/foolish enough in turn to give the team an easy out after just one season.

The time for that 'out' to be taken is coming up quick so all the world is a buzz trying to be the first to break the news. Is Jim Irsay going to release Peyton Manning? Will Peyton Manning ever play again? Is Peyton Manning set to retire?

Lately we've been privy to some entertaining he said/ he said from the two main players in this comedy, but what I love the most is all the stuff that the bit players have been chiming in.

I could go over the number of teams--or at least a significant number of the team's fans--that have been publicly lobbying for Peyton or declared an interest in the man, but it would almost be easier to mention the teams that have not expressed an interest in one of the greatest passers to ever play the game. While most of them don't have a real established or overly talented QB already it is not surprising. However, I have to say I feel a bit for Alex Smith of the San Francisco 49ers. The man only led your team to the NFC Championship game after all!

All this talk about who wants him could be pointless if he never plays again. Just this morning I read a story that said his velocity hasn't improved since December. About 30 minutes ago I read another that said he might sit another year and come back in '113. Then right before I started writing this I read another that said he is on track and expects to be cleared to play in '12.

My favorite piece of the comedy so far came just today during the Media Day for the Big Game. Eli, you know--the other Manning QB that has a game to play on Sunday, was asked quite often about the health of his brother and whether he was going to play again. yea, he got some questions of his own to answer to, but when the spotlight should have been on him and the Giants, it was really on Peyton and his neck.

It had to sting little bit when he had to pander to the crowd a little by proclaiming his brother the best he's ever seen, especially after claiming to be in the same class as his brother is in the preseason (which he is nowhere near). Sorry Eli, but just like Daffy Duck was always second fiddle to Bugs Bunny, you'll always be second fiddle to your big bro.

Whether Peyton plays is still up in the air. It will not shock me if he is done, although it would be nice to see him get one more year so that he can go out on his own terms. What will be interesting is to see how the bidding develops for him once the Colts do release him. On one hand, his talent is worth the small fortune that some teams will dish out for him. On the other, there is a serious injury risk with him too. Who wants to pay the freight, but not get the package?