Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young, now an analyst for ESPN, says the Niners are clearly the best fit for Peyton Manning among the three contending teams.
San Francisco surfaced in the Manning Sweepstakes this week as a third finalist along with Denver and Tennessee. Coach Jim Harbaugh watched Manning throw on Tuesday and the team gave him a physical on Wednesday.
“They (49ers) know that they’re the best answer for Peyton Manning,” Young said on ESPN SportsCenter Friday, as reported by the San Jose Mercury News. “They know they have the best defense in the league to offer. They know they have the offensive weapons. They know they have a plan. They know they have Jim Harbaugh. They know all the things are in place for a guy like Peyton Manning.”
Manning worked out for the Broncos on Friday and the Titans on Saturday, and both teams said he threw well. He is expected to decide on his new team on Monday or Tuesday. The 49ers (13-3 last season) had been expected to re-sign quarterback Alex Smith, who helped lead the team to the NFC championship game, where they lost to the Giants.
But ESPN reported Friday that Manning had worked out for the 49ers and were in contention for his services. The throwing sessions have given Manning an opportunity to prove he is moving closer to 100 percent in his recovery from multiple neck surgeries.
“It is the best opportunity for Peyton Manning,” Young said of the 49ers. “They knew it, and they waited until all the wannabes kind of exhausted themselves, then they came in right at the end, and that’s probably why they will land him at this point. Unless somebody does something unusual. Or maybe Peyton is looking for something different than I think.
“But I know Peyton Manning is looking for a team to join now, and win a division now, and go to a Super Bowl now. And that’s the San Francisco 49ers.”
However, it is believed that Manning would prefer to remain in the AFC, where he has deep knowledge of the teams. If he signed with the 49ers, he also would have to face his brother, Eli Manning, and the Giants, who are scheduled to play at San Francisco this season.
source: http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2012-03-17/peyton-manning-steve-young-san-francisco-49ers-tennessee-titans-denver-broncos
