My bet is for the Redskins…with San Francisco a close second. 

Redskins owner Dan Snyder has no issue spending money and gambling on Peyton’s health.  As the below analysis states…longtime Colts center Jeff Saturday could go with Manning to DC….the ‘Skins have a veteran coach Peyton would respect, a solid defense and they can use draft picks and free agency to upgrade the offensvie players around Manning.  In DC Peyton would play little brother Eli twice a year and make an already high profile division even more exciting.

I think Manning is a perfect fit in San Fran but I’m not sure they’ll give up on Alex Smith to gamble on Peyton.  But if Peyton is healthy and he goes to the bay area….watch out because the 49ers have all the pieces in place. 

BELOW ANALYSIS COURTESY: ESPN INSIDER

Arizona Cardinals. Peyton — and really, any QB — would likely enjoy the Cards’ arsenal of skill position players led by Larry Fitzgerald (and Fitzgerald would certainly be open to having another future Hall of Famer come to the desert). Though the Cards have somewhat of a suspect offensive line, Manning has made it work in Indy with questionable O-lines in the past.

Cleveland Browns. Certainly a team in the market for an upgrade at QB over Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace, a potential problem here could be that the Browns may not be able to sell Manning on their collection of receivers. Then again, if Manning is signed before the draft, the Browns would have the ability to add some help in that department at No. 4 overall (Justin Blackmon?) and/or No. 22 (Alshon Jeffery? Michael Floyd? Kendall Wright?).

Miami Dolphins. New head coach, new OC, new QB? It’s possible. And according to a report this week, the Dolphins would prefer Peyton over Matt Flynn, who head coach Joe Philbin just coached in Green Bay and who isn’t coming off life-altering neck fusion surgery. Would Peyton want to play in Miami? There are some solid pieces in place, and he’d be guaranteed a home-and-home series against Tom Brady.

New York Jets. This is the one that’s caused the most uproar, following the report that certain anonymous Jets players would opt for Peyton over current Jets QB Mark Sanchez. If healthy, Peyton is a clear upgrade — though that’s the big question in all of this — and the possibility of the Manning brothers both playing in the New York market is an exciting one for fans and observers alike.

San Francisco 49ers. With Alex Smith likely re-signing, it doesn’t appear as though the Niners are a likely destination; however, until Smith is officially back, the speculation will continue that Manning could land with Jim Harbaugh‘s team. An already strong run game and defense coupled with an all-time great at QB? San Francisco would instantly be amongst the favorites for next year’s Super Bowl.

Seattle Seahawks. Perhaps the dark horse candidate for Manning, they’ve seldom been mentioned in the reports on Peyton’s potential landing spots, though Mike Sando of the NFC West blog thinks that of the teams in his division, Seattle makes the most sense from a pure QB need perspective. With talent on the O-line, in the backfield (assuming Marshawn Lynch comes back) and receiving corps, Pete Carroll’s team may be one to watch in the process.

Washington Redskins. With Mike Shanahan’s job possibly on the line in 2012, the Redskins are pretty desperate for some help at QB, and a rumor back on Jan. 13 linked both Peyton and long-time teammate Jeff Saturday to the Redskins in a package deal of sorts. Washington owner Daniel Snyder has been relatively silent on the free agent market recently, but this opportunity may be too much for him to pass up.

- Tim Kavanagh

***I’m also writing this assuming that the Saints will re-sign offensive guard Carl Nicks….and that Steve Spagnuolo (or Jack Del Rio or a 4-3 scheme coach) will be hired as the team’s defensive coordinator.  If these two things don’t happen then this mock draft will change greatly*** 

1st Round: NO 1ST ROUND PICK.  TRADED TO NEW ENGLAND FOR A 2011 1ST ROUND SELECTION (Mark Ingram)

2nd Round (61st Overall Pick): 

Shea McClellin/Defensive End/Boise State

WHY:  In my 2011 Saints mock draft I had the Saints selecting University of Arizona DE Brooks Reed in the 1st round.  I thought Reed would help the Saints pass rush as a situtational rusher.  Cam Jordan was too good to pass up in 2011 but he’s not an elite pass rusher.  If Steve Spagnuolo is hired as Saints defensive coordinator…a player like McClellin in the 2nd round makes sense to me.  Spagnuolo used multiple DE’s on his defensive line in 2007 while with the Giants to put more pressure on the quarterback.  I could easily see a defensive line rotation with McClellin being used as a rush specialist.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/11/10/1872495/boise-state-footballs-shea-mcclellin.html

Other Possible 2nd Round Picks for Saints in 2012:

Sean Spence/WLB/Miami

-Undersized playmaker who excelled at “The U” for 4 seasons. 

Tank Carder/LB/TCU

-A safe pick who can play multiple LB positions.  Possible replacment for Jonathan Vilma if JV becomes a salary cap casualty.

————————————————————————————————

3rd Round (92nd Overall Pick):  

Brian Quick/Wide Receiver/Appalachian State

WHY: A big (6’4), productive college player who could help ease the pain of losing Marques Colston or Robert Meachem….or both.

————————————————————————————————

4th Round (124th Overall Pick): 

Ladarius Green, Tight End, Louisiana-Lafayette

WHY: With Dave Thomas’ future uncertain due to multiple concussions it would not hurt the Saints to draft another tight end.  Green can create mismatches and would add yet another weapon to the Payton/Brees arsenal.

————————————————————————————————

5th Round (156th Overall Pick):

Isaiah Frey/Cornerback/Nevada

WHY: Frey has been super productive at Nevada and would add depth to a position group that may lose Tracy Porter to free agency.

————————————————————————————————

6th Round (166th Overall Pick):

Hebron Fangupo, DT, BYU

WHY: A bit of a developmental player who could one day be a nice run stopper for the Saints. 

————————————————————————————————

6th Round 187 th Overall (From Redskins, part of Jammal Brown deal)

Janzen Jackson/Safety/McNeese State

WHY: A Lake Charles resident (and former Tennessee Volunteer) who a year ago was a can’t miss 2nd-3rd round talent is worth the risk in the 6th round.  If Jackson has dealt with all his off-the-field issues the Saints are getting a steal.

———————————————————————————————–

7th Round (219th Overall Pick)  

Patrick Witt/Quarterback/Yale

WHY:  Why not?  Sean Payton loves developing quarterbacks.  Witt is a Rhodes scholar who started his career at the University of Nebraska and reportedly has all the physical tools needed to compete for an NFL roster spot.

***The Saints are also getting an undisclosed draft pick from the Miami Dolphins for Reggie Bush but the teams have not released details of that selection.***

*****BONUS*****

2012 Hornets Mock Draft

As I type this the Hornets and Wizards have the worst records in the NBA.  As part of the Chris Paul trade the Hornets also acquired the Minnesota Timberwolves 1st round draft pick in 2012.  The T’wolves selection is projected to be a top 10 pick.  The NBA lottery is unpredictable but right now, based on records, the Hornets would own the #2 and the #9 pick in the NBA draft. 

Hornets Mock Draft:

1st Round (2nd Overall Pick)

Harrison Barnes/Small Forward/North Carolina

6’8, 210 lbs.

WHY:  Kentucky freshman Anthony Davis seems to be the clear cut #1 choice but I think Barnes is the better player.  A lot of people also like UConn big man Andre Drummond.  But If the Hornets were picking 1st/2nd/3rd I’d take Barnes.  He’s a smart, classy kid who can immediately become the face of the franchise.  Harrison Barnes is a scoring machine with the potential to be a good defender.  One NBA expert says at best he’s a bigger Dwyane Wade…at worst he’s Danny Granger.  I’m good with that!!!  I’m also more of a fan of guys who can play right now at a high level than long term projects…so while I see the enormous potential of Anthony Davis and Andre Drummond…when I think of them I think of former draft prospects just like them…Anthony Randolph and DeMarcus Cousins.    

————————————————————————————————

1st Round (9th Overall Pick)

Meyers Leonard/Center/University of Illinois

7’0, 240 lbs.

WHY:  I’d love to think the Hornets could get a player like Thomas Robinson from Kansas at #9….but by the time the NCAA season ends Robinson may be a lock as a top 5 pick….so unless the Hornets luck out in the lottery and have two top five selections Robinson may be an impossible acquisition.  My prediction…Robinson earns NCAA player of the year honors and goes top 3 (like Arizona’s Derrick Williams in 2011).  After watching the Baylor/Kansas game the other night I was blown away by this guy.  Reports also say Robinson is a class act with a work ethic second to none. 

With that said…my pick for the Hornets at #9 is Leonard.  The guy reminds me of Tyson Chandler.  A crazy athletic big man who’s offensive game is encouraging and who can play defense (which Monty Williams loves) immediately. 

———————————————————————————————-

***I should also add that I’m a huge fan of St. Mary’s PG Matthew Dellavedova.  I know some people think he’s exactly the same player as Greivis Vasquez but I disagree.  I think he has a chance to be more Steve Nash-like.  I know comparing anyone to Nash is crazy but I really like this guy.  If the Gaels make a run deep into the NCAA tournament (which is likely) don’t be surprised if this Aussie leaves school for the NBA draft…and hopefully the Hornets see something special and pick him to run the show in NOLA.

So, if the Hornets make several trades before the NBA trade deadline in March to acquire more 1st round picks (probably a late lottery pick for Kaman/Landry and a late 1st rounder for Ariza/Jack)***

1st Round (Possible late lottery pick acquired via a trade)

Matthew Dellavedova/Point Guard/ St. Mary’s College of California

6’4, 185 lbs. 

If the Hornets aren’t sold on Dellavedova:

Thomas Machado/Point Guard/Iona

6’1, 180 lbs.

WHY: America’s best college point guard?  Based on stats…yes!  The Hornets need a young floor leader and if Matthew Dellavedova does not enter the draft or if the Hornets are not sold on him than Machado should be the guy.   

————————————————————————————————

1st Round (late 1st round pick acquired via a trade)

Tomas Satoransky/Shooting Guard/Czech Republic

6’7, 205 lbs.

WHY:  Maybe the best international player in the draft.

2012-2013 Hornets:

PG: Matthew Dellavedova (backup: Greivis Vasquez, Tomas Satoransky)

SG: Eric Gordon (backup: Xavier Henry, Tomas Satoransky)

SF: Harrison Barnes (backup: Al-Farouq Aminu)

PF: Gustavo Ayon (backup: Jason Smith)

C: Meyers Leonard (backup: Emeka Okafor)

*Kaman, Landry, Ariza and Jack go in trades….which hopefully bring back picks and young players.  If future blog I’ll breakdown some trades and young players the Hornets could receive for veteran players.

Happy New Year everyone!

Have a great 2012!

Below are 2 trades that might work perfectly for the Hornets:

Weather deals like this happen soon or at the trade deadline…I expect Trevor Ariza, Emeka Okafor and Chris Kaman to be dealt as the Hornets rebuild.  I don’t have a trade right now involving Kaman because I think he’ll be with the team until the trade deadline.  Kaman has an expiring contract so serious contenders looking for a former all-star big man at the deadline (Dallas, Chicago) should come calling allowing the Hornets to pickup more young players/draft picks.   

Trade #1:

Emeka Okafor to Houston for Goran Dragic, Patrick Patterson, Chandler Parsons & the rights to Donatas Montiejunas

WHY:  Houston is desperate for a center…the only one they have on their roster right now is Hasheem Thabeet.  Okafor is a Houston native who’d be joining a playoff ready starting 5.  The Hornets get four very nice young players.

Trade #2:

Trevor Ariza to Minnesota Timberwolves for Anthony Randolph and Nikola Pekovic

WHY: Ariza will only stunt the growth of newly acquired Al-Farouq Aminu.  Minnesota has a ton of big men…way too many big men…so dumping a few and picking up a classy veteran who can be a good influence on all the young players the T’wolves have would work for both teams.

VERY Young & Rebuilding…yet competative 2011-2012 Hornets:

PG: Jarrett Jack/Goran Dragic

SG: Eric Gordon/Marco Belinelli

SF: Al-Farouq Aminu/Quincy Pondexter/Chandler Parsons

PF: Carl Landry/Patrick Patterson/Anthony Randolph

C: Chris Kaman, Nikola Pekovic, Jason Smith

*Montiejunas is playing over seas and will come to the NBA next season

*Two 1st round selections in 2012 NBA draft

LSU vs. Alabama

——————————————————————————————–

Sugar Bowl:

Michigan vs. Houston

———————————————————————————————–

Orange Bowl:

Clemson vs. Louisville

———————————————————————————————

Fiesta Bowl:

Oklahoma State vs. Stanford

———————————————————————————————-

Rose Bowl:

Oregon vs. Michigan State

BCS National Championship Game:

LSU vs. Oklahoma State

WHY:  In a perfect world, both of these teams run the table and meet as unbeatens.  Great offense vs. amazing defense.  What happens when an unstoppable force runs into an immovable object?  LET’S FIND OUT!

——————————————————————————————–

Sugar Bowl:

Alabama vs. Houston

———————————————————————————————

Fiesta Bowl:

Oklahoma vs. Stanford

————————————————————————————————

Rose Bowl:

Oregon vs. Michigan State

———————————————————————————————-

Orange Bowl:

Clemson vs. Cincinnati

———————————————————————————————

LOUISIANA BOWL GAMES:

AdvoCare V100 Independence

Miami vs. Wyoming

——————————————————————————————-

R+L Carriers New Orleans

Arkansas State vs. Temple

———————————————————————————————-

Go Daddy.com Mobile Bowl

Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Northern Illinois

Goodbye P.H. Burke

Tulane fans have already taken to twitter and are hash-tagging every tweet with #InRichRodWeTrust.

But is Rich Rod the answer?

The arguement can certainly be made that Rodriguez knows Tulane.  He was an assistant on the most successful team in school history.  Rodriguez is also a proven commodity and a big name that people everywhere will recgonize.

It would be hard to argue the hiring of Rich Rodriguez.

But for fun…let’s try!

If hired, it seems Tulane fans are expecting Rich Rod to do what he and Tommy Bowden did in ’97-’98…go from 2-9 (1996, Buddy Teevans last season) to 7-4 (1997) and then 12-0 (1998).

That’s not realistic today. 

During Buddy Teevens last season uptown (1996) the Wave finished with a 2-9 overall record…but 5 of those losses were by a touchdown or less.

Rodriguez and Bowden also inherited an NFL caliber quarterback who was perfect to run the offense they installed. 

The 2011 Tulane team seems destined to finish 2-11 overall…nearly every loss has been a horrific blowout!  Tulane’s only wins are against a winless UAB team and Southeastern.

If “RR” is hired which quarterback runs his spread offense next season?  Could “RR” lure a top flight prep QB who runs the spread to Tulane?     

College football has also changed a lot over the past 13 years…the gap between the have’s (BCS schools) and have-not’s (Non-automatic qualifiers) has grown. 

The next Tulane coach will have a major rebuilding job on his hands.

I’m not saying Rodriguez can’t win or won’t win if hired…I’m just saying that the ‘savior’ expectations that Tulane fans have regarding him should be tempered.

I’d also like to add that Rodriguez won big at West Virginia University with some unsavory characters that would never be part of the Tulane program (most notably Pacman Jones and Chris Henry).

Also, look at the BCS top 25.  How many head coaches on that list have been fired for losing?  I can’t find one.

Look at Conference-USA…how many of the good (bowl eligible in 2011) head coaches in that league have been fired?  Larry Fedora? Nope! Kevin Sumlin? No Way. June Jones? Fired in the NFL but not as a college coach. Tulsa’s Bill Blankenship?  Negative, he was a high school coaching legend in OKC before joining the staff at Tulsa. 

I’m all about second chances and I know the situation at Michigan was tough for Rich Rod but college head coaches fired from the highest levels for losing just don’t seem to ever find the success they once had.

Personally, if Tulane goes with a fired, former head coach I’d put all my eggs in the Mike Leach or Mike Haywood basket…both were fired for off the field issues…not because of losing.

Look, Tulane fans can agree with me or disagree with me (most disagree) but I’ve been consistent since 2006.  In 2006 I lobbied for the Wave to hire a head coach from a subdivision or an up-and-coming assistant coach.  Like many, the subdivision head coach I wrote about was Jim Harbaugh…one of the assistants I wrote about was Dana Holgorsen (who was an assistant at Houston at the time).

Tulane hired Bob Toledo.  From day one I said it was a trash hire the school would regret.  They did.

Tulane could also go the way of SMU and lure a big winner to New Orleans.  In 2008, June Jones had just taken Hawaii to a BCS bowl game…he had numerous options but chose SMU because of the financial package, new stadium and commitment to winning.

I’ve said this name before and I’ll say it again…Tulane should perhaps contact Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo.   The 46 year old has won at Navy and makes $750,000 at the academy.  If Tulane doubled his salary (reportedly Tulane will pay a coach a 7-figure salary) and used the lure of the new on-campus stadium and building a program from the ground up his way with the resources to be successful perhaps Niumatalolo would come.

If  Tulane goes with an assistant than I stand by the guy I’ve been lobbying for all along….LSU’s Frank Wilson.  He knows New Orleans, is a great coach and will recruit this state like no Green Wave coach before him.     

#InFrankWilsonITrust

Bonus: If Frank is hired….he should consider former Saints backup QB and current University of Houston co-offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury as his associate head coach/offensive coordinator.  Terry Joseph (University of Tennessee) should also garner consideration as recruiting coordinator/defensive coordinator. 

This staff would be young, exciting and start Tulane down a fresh Path!