In this week’s special “I Don’t Know a Ton About Sports” Bowl of Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Alex Wolfe, challenges Editor-in-Chief Brianna Gunter, Managing Editor Jamie Primeau and News Editor Kelly Johnson to answer questions about Peyton Manning’s crazy free agency, what trade should happen by the NBA trade deadline and whether the Miami Marlins will be successful this season.
1. Peyton Manning’s career as an Indianapolis Colt is over, after he was released by the Colts in favor of drafting either Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III to replace him at quarterback. The focus now shifts to where Manning will go. What’s the best (realistic) fit for him, and why?
BG: My friends were talking about this the other day, so I got this. Right now, Peyton Manning isn’t exactly a top prize — he’s 35 years old and sat out this past season due to neck surgeries — but a healthy Manning would still be an asset to many teams. It’s been thrown around that he’ll go to the Cardinals, the Redskins or even the Dolphins, but realistically I’m betting on the Seahawks. They finished 7-9 last season, but starting QB Tarvaris Jackson played only reasonably well. To become a real threat they’ll probably look to bring Manning in, and they have the funds and enthusiasm to do it. Hell, there’s even a Seahawks physician that specializes in neck and spine injuries — an obvious bonus! Manning may also choose the Seahawks if they’re willing to sign WR Reggie Wayne as well, and so far reports are saying they are.
JP: The best fit for Manning would be the Houston Texans. Since he’s older (apparently 35 is old in football years), he would need a team that doesn’t need to rebuild and is ready to win now. According to my father, the Texans are only a quarterback away from success. They have a great running back in Arian Foster and one of the best receivers with Andre Johnson. With a strong offensive line, and an even stronger defense, Manning would be the perfect addition and they could have a shot at the Super Bowl. The Texans are in the same division as the Colts, so that means it’d be familiar faces for Manning. Playing in the division that he is used to is a plus. It may not be an overly hyped option, but it would make a lot of sense for both sides.
KJ: The best and most realistic fit for Peyton Manning would be the Miami Dolphins for a couple of reasons. Manning is a great quarterback, as he proved in leading the Colts to the Super Bowl. Miami is in need of a good season, and Manning could definitely bring it to them. However, Manning has also been out of the game for a little while, and no one can definitively predict how he is going to play. At the very beginning of the past season there was a lot of speculation as to whether Manning would come back to the game at all. Therefore, if Manning returns with the Dolphins and it turns out that he lost his touch, it really won’t be much of an adjustment for Miami. But on a more serious analysis, Manning lives in South Florida and could also be reunited with former teammate, Reggie Wayne.
AW: Kelly gets 3 because of the lack of expectations Peyton would have in Miami (although I would have liked a Brandon Marshall reference). Brianna gets 2 for pointing out the physician in Seattle. Jamie gets 1 because it would be a good fit, but the Texans are already paying Matt Schaub over $7 million this year.
2. The NBA trade deadline is approaching, and of course Dwight Howard is the focus of most rumors. However, there’s a chance he might not even be on the move, so I ask this: what trade not involving D-12 do you think should go down?
BG: What’s a D-12? (Calm down, I’m just kidding). Some people won’t be happy with me for saying this, but the Knicks should trade Carmelo Anthony, probably for the Nets’ Deron Williams. As predicted and feared, Anthony just isn’t meshing with golden boy Jeremy Lin, and the harsh reality is that the Knicks are Lin’s team now, not Anthony’s. Plus Anthony never seems to be on the same page as coach Mike D’Antoni. He’s still a good player given the right climate, so Anthony could do well on another team. Personally I’ll be surprised if Anthony actually is traded, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be.
JP: So, I learned something new today: D-12 is a nickname for Dwight Howard and does not refer to that band led by Eminem in the early 2000s. Anyway, a trade that should occur is with Lamar Odom. Things haven’t been working out well with the Mavericks, so maybe he’ll move to the LA Clippers or the Toronto Raptors. Toronto has been playing poorly so they could benefit from new players. Also, one of Odom’s best friends Rasual Butler is on the Raptors, and I like to think that people play basketball better when their buddies are on the same team. Personally, I’d love for him to go up north. Who wouldn’t want to watch “Khloe and Lamar Take Kanada,” eh? I see a new E! spinoff in the future.
KJ: I don’t have a trade prediction for the NBA, but I do have an opinion, which is sometimes even better. Kris Humphries of the New Jersey Nets should be traded to any NBA team other than a New Jersey team. Immediately following the abrupt end of Humphries and Kim Kardashian’s 72-day marriage, the public heat was on Kardashian. However, the focus of the public eye has recently shifted to Humphries as he is allegedly trying to get as much money as he can out of Kardashian. N.J. has been the laughing stock of the country since the “guidos” landed on our shores and the obnoxious housewives took over our country clubs, and we could really do without another ass making our state look bad.
AW: Wow, I ask a simple basketball question and get mentions of not one but TWO Kardashians. Brianna gets 3 for taking the daring route, and for not mentioning any Kardashians. Kelly gets 2 because besides being a scourge to N.J., Humphries is also an $8 million expiring contract. Jamie gets 1 because although Odom could be useful for someone, the Raptors are beyond repair.
3. The Miami Marlins came out of nowhere to sign a pretty formidable team in the offseason, headlined by former Mets SS Jose Reyes. However, it’s not a team without problems, such as the Reyes signing forcing Hanley Ramirez to move to 3B. Will the positives outweigh the negatives for the Marlins this season, and what’s their ceiling?
BG: First of all, Hanley Ramirez’s move to third doesn’t seem to be too much of a problem. He may have made an error in Thursday’s game against the Mets, but he also hit a home run. If Ramirez was really bitter about his new position I doubt that would have happened. There were also health concerns surrounding both him and Josh Johnson, but so far they’re in great shape. With the new players the Marlins now have one of the best starting lineups, and they’ve undergone a name change, a new logo, new stadium and of course, a new manager, to complete the transformation. It’s a little early to be making big predictions, but two extra wild card spots are being added this year, so I say it’s ignorant to think the Marlins don’t have a chance at making the playoffs.
JP: Yes, the positives will outweigh the negatives because the negatives aren’t that bad. Hanley Ramirez was a good shortstop, so he can do well when moving to third. If A-Rod could move from shortstop to third base, Ramirez can do it too. As far as their ceiling, they could definitely make the playoffs. If their pitching stays healthy, they could make it to the division championship. Their new manager Ozzie Guillen is known for getting the most out of the players. When he was with Chicago, the team won a World Series title. The last time the Marlins won the World Series was in 2003, so maybe things will be looking up for them once again.
KJ: Ramirez has stated that he does not have a problem moving to third base, so that should not be a problem. The Marlins also added some pitchers to their already talented staff. With that being said, the positives will outweigh the negatives for the Marlins … and their ceiling is painted.
AW: Jamie gets 3 for mentioning that A-Rod managed to make a similar move when going to the Yankees, and that Ozzie is a manager that tends to mix well with players. Brianna gets 2 for pointing out that the Marlins have a better shot at the playoffs this year with the rule change. Kelly gets 1 because it’s entirely possible that the Marlins like a concrete look to their ceilings.
Brianna wins this week’s AtD, 7 - 6 - 5.
“Winning isn’t everything, but it still feels pretty sweet.” — Brianna
