Have you heard? Peyton Manning is going to be a free agent!
If this is the first you have heard of this, you have either been freeze dried or been doing hard time in maximum security. Either way, welcome back to society.
What we are going to do here, is look at the possible scenarios of what the Peyton Manning effect will have on the Cleveland Browns and our Quarterback position. This isn't another thread to argue on whether or not RG3 is tall enough or anything like that. These are guesses into the future.
So, let's try our best "Carnac the Magnificent" impersonations, and try to figure this out.
SCENARIO 1: Peyton Manning stays with the Indianapolis Colts
Let's get the far fetched out of the way first. Manning decides that he wants to make it work in Indy and makes nice with Irsay. Colts still want to draft Andrew Luck, but that doesn't jive with the Luck camp. He demands that the Colts not take him.
Colts put up the first overall pick for auction: The Browns give up two firsts, second round selection, third round selection and next years second round pick. Browns select Andrew Luck.
Rams auction off 2nd overall pick, but without the Browns to leverage, the Redskins trade the 6th overall pick and their second round selection to take Robert Griffin III.
Colts then select Justin Blackmon at four and pair him with Reggie Wayne. In the second round they select Brock Osweiler.
Dolphins miss out on Manning, so they sit tight and draft Ryan Tannehill in the first round.
Seahawks sign Matt Flynn to be their starter.
Cardinals stay with Kevin Kolb and John Skelton.
SCENARIO 2: Peyton Manning signs with Washington Redskins
Shanahan is starting to feel some heat. Manning likes the defense in Washington and Shanahan's ability to create a running game out of thin air. Redskins stay at pick #6 and take BPA.
Colts select Andrew Luck and usher in a new era for the "Horseshoe".
Rams auction off second overall pick, but without the Redskins, the only interested parties are the Browns and the Seahawks. Browns move up to #2 with the 4th overall, 3rd round and 4th round selection. Cleveland ends up with Robert Griffin III.
Dolphins end up with Ryan Tannehill, allow Tannehill to compete with Matt Moore for the job. Brandon Marshall takes up punting again.
Seahawks sign Matt Flynn and install him as starter.
Cardinals stick with Kolb and Skelton as starter.
SCENARIO 3: Peyton Manning signs with Arizona Cardinals
Peyton decides that the Arizona Cardinals are the easiest route to the Super Bowl. With Larry Fitz, and possibly bringing in Reggie Wayne, the Cards have the weapons on the outside to make Manning very happy. Plus the Cards play in the NFC West, which still sucks (pipe down 49er fans, you still have Alex Smith). Arizona keeps Skelton as a long term project to take over down the road.
Colts select Andrew Luck
Rams auction off second overall pick, Redskins sell the farm to move up. Redskins give up this years first rounder, second rounder and fourth rounder plus next years first and fourth. Skins end up with Robert Griffin III.
Browns send a fourth round pick to Arizona for Kevin Kolb, who redoes his deal when he arrives. Browns sit tight at 4th overall pick and take Justin Blackmon. With the 22nd overall pick Browns draft highest rated defensive player and use cap space to sign Pierre Garcon.
Dolphins drafts Tannehill, competes for starer gig with Matt Moore.
Seahawks signs Matt Flynn to be starter.
SCENARIO 4: Peyton Manning signs with Seattle Seahawks
Peyton again thinks the NFC West is the path of least resistance. Seattle brings back Marshawn Lynch and Sidney Rice recovers from his 4,000 surgeries to become a relevant target again.
Colts select Andrew Luck
Rams auction off second overall pick, Browns give up both first rounders plus third rounder to make the jump to pick number two, and they take Robert Griffin III.
Redskins miss out on RG3, decide to gamble on Ryan Tannehill, but bring in Orton to compete with Tannehill and Grossman for starer position.
Dolphins sign Matt Flynn to be starter
Seahawks sign Jason Campbell to compete with Tarvaris Jackson
Cardinals decide to stick and stay with Kolb and Skelton
SCENARIO 5: Peyton Manning signs with New York Jets
Peyton decides to make the big move. He wants to go to New York and have it be Manning vs. Manning. This move has the biggest chain reaction. I personally thinkk this is the smartest place for Peyton. The Jets could use their first round pick on Trent Richardson or a high impact defender. Free agents would love to come to NY and chase rings with Peyton and Rex.
Colts select Andrew Luck
Rams auction off second overall pick, Browns trade both first rounders and 4th round pick to move up and take Robert Griffin III.
Washington Redskins miss out on Manning and RG3, but end up with Ryan Tannehill with 6th overall pick and sign Kyle Orton.
Dolphins sign Matt Flynn to compete with Matt Moore.
Seahawks send a third round pick to the New York Jets for Mark Sanchez to reunite him with Pete Carroll.
Cardinals stick with Kolb and Skelton.
SCENARIO 6: Peyton Manning signs with Miami Dolphins
Manning decides to take his talents to South Beach. Brandon Marshall returns to being one of the best WR's walking the earth. Reggie Wayne becomes a package deal with Manning and returns home to his college hometown. The move makes the Dolphins instant contenders.
Colts select Andrew Luck
Rams auction off the second overall pick, and like most of the others, it comes down to the Redskins and the Browns. Browns give up both first rounders and 4th round pick to move up. Cleveland ends up with Robert Griffin III.
Washington Redskins miss out on Manning and RG3, they select Ryan Tannehill with the 6th overall pick and bring in Kyle Orton.
Seahawks sign Matt Flynn to be the starer
Cardinals stick with Kolb and Skelton
So, what do you think? What is the best scenario for the Browns? Which one do you see as being the most likely? What obvious solution did I leave off?
Anyway you slice it, Peyton Manning will be the first domino to fall in this seasons Quarterback carousel. Where it stops, nobody knows.