A plea for Peyton to come to the AFC East @ The Fan Hub

by Sean Melia March 9th, 2012 9:46 AM

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning speaks at a press conference announcing his departure from the team at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

Peyton Manning is a free agent, and I want him to sign with the Miami Dolphins or even the New York Jets. Yes, I am a Pats fan, and I want this to happen.

I actually have a lot of reasons why I want Manning in the AFC East.

My main reason: it will make the Patriots have to take a really hard look at themselves in the mirror; their weakness, the defense, will have to be bolstered to defend their division domination.

We have heard the company line down in New England for years: "We want to win our division. That goal is first and foremost. It means you get into the playoffs." Well, the Patriots have dominated their division for the past decade. One big reason is Tom Brady. Another big reason is that every other quarterback in the division has been terrible or just simply inconsistent.

Do me a favor and name the last AFC East Pro Bowl quarterback not named Tom Brady.

Mark Sanchez? Nope.

Ryan Fitzpatrick? Nope.

J.P Losman? Nope.

Sage Rosenfels? Nope.

(you sensing a trend yet?)

Cleo Lemon? Nope

Chad Pennington? Nope

Vinny Testeverde? Yes!

The last QB to make the Pro Bowl from the AFC East was Vinny in 1998. That is awful.

I think this lack of good quarterback play has directly affected the Patriots and how they have built their team, especially in the last 6 years. There has been no real effort to focus on the secondary because within the division, the Pats had nothing to worry about. They knew they could usually win the division with a weak defense and with an explosive offense.

So please Peyton, choose New York or Miami. I am begging you. The Patriots need you.

There has been no real effort to focus on the secondary because within the division, the Pats had nothing to worry about.

If he ends up in the AFC East the Pats will have to adjust. They will need pass rushers, and they will need to improve their secondary. They won't admit it, but they cannot continue to win with a porous defense. They will have to react to the addition of Manning. If they don't, it could mean big problems, especially for the defense.

Would Peyton joining the AFC East mean the Pats would go and sign Mario Williams? Maybe. But probably not.

Would it mean they might use their first 4 picks (all in the top 2 rounds) on defense? It's very possible.

Would it make the AFC East completely awesome and fun to watch? Absolutely.

The AFC East would have some of the biggest personalities in the league: Peyton, Brady, Belichick, Rex Ryan, Ryan Fitzpatrick's beard, and Chan Gailey. Well, maybe not Gailey, but you get the point.

Also, wouldn't this finally put an end to the old debate about who is the better quarterback — Brady or Peyton? Wouldn't 3-4 years of divisional play and possibly 1-2 playoff games decide it once and for all? I think it would. Are you telling me that Manning and his new gang going up against Brady and Belichick wouldn't be riveting? I think it would be incredible.

So Peyton, please come to the AFC East. The Pats need a wake up call and it's been too long since we beat a Manning. It would be nice to have a few chances each year.