http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120 … img|Sports

Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams wants to sign Peyton Manning

Written by
Jim Wyatt
The Tennessean

   
Titans owner Bud Adams wants Peyton Manning, and says he is prepared to make a competitive offer to get him.

The issue, of course, is whether the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player wants the Titans.

Adams told The Tennessean on Sunday he has contacted Manning’s agent, Tom Condon, and is pushing for the quarterback to visit the Titans.

“He is the man I want. Period,” Adams said by phone from Houston. “And the people that work for me understand that. They know who I want. I want Mr. Manning with the Titans and I will be disappointed if it doesn’t happen.”

Titans General Manager Ruston Webster, Chief Operating Officer Mike Reinfeldt and Coach Mike Munchak could not be reached for comment on Sunday. Indications are they don’t share the owner’s passion to acquire the former University of Tennessee star, but they also understand this is a unique situation involving one of the greatest players of all-time and a living legend in the state.

Last month Webster said the Titans were happy with their current quarterbacks — Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker — when asked if the team might have interest in Manning.

The Colts released Manning on Wednesday and he has since visited two teams. After spending 6 hours with the Broncos in Denver on Friday, he flew to Arizona and met with the Cardinals for 6½ hours on Sunday. Several other teams have also expressed interest in Manning, who reportedly turned down invitations to visit the Seahawks and Chiefs.

Adams, who founded the then-Houston Oilers in 1959, stressed that the chance to acquire Manning is a special opportunity for a franchise yet to win a Super Bowl.

“I hope to be one of the teams he looks at,” the 89-year-old Adams said. “Since he went to school in Tennessee I think Tennessee is where he should be. I think he could play for two or three years. I think he’s the guy that could come in and turn this around for us.

“That’s why I am so anxious to get him to come visit with us and I want him on my team. I could sit down with him and show him what (we’d be willing to pay). If he would come (meet) with me he would be happy with what he’d get.”

It’s unclear what kind of contract Manning is seeking, but the Titans began the offseason around $30 million under the salary cap. The Broncos are about $50 million under the cap.

As for concerns about the 35-year-old Manning’s health — he is recovering from neck procedures and a weakened throwing arm — Adams was unwavering.

“I’m not worried about it,” he said. “We’ll see the doctors but they say it looks like he’ll be able to play.”

Condon could not be reached for comment on Sunday. Adams said the agent told him Manning hadn’t decided if he would visit the Titans.

“He is all for having him come see me,” Adams said. “He just wants to make sure my people in Tennessee want the same thing too — Ruston and Mike and Mike. I am 650 miles away (in Houston), but (they) will do what I say to do because that’s the guy I want and I am going to make the decision. … I think I will be able to work it out myself as far as the money angle goes.”

This isn’t the first time Adams has gotten involved in a quarterback decision.

In 2006, he made it known he wanted the Titans to draft Texas superstar Vince Young, while GM Floyd Reese and Coach Jeff Fisher wanted Southern Cal’s Matt Leinart.

Adams later ordered Young into the lineup when the Titans struggled behind veteran Kerry Collins. The Titans released Young in 2010.

Hasselbeck, who led the Titans to a 9-7 record last season, has two years left on his contract, and Locker, the eighth overall pick last year, was impressive in limited action last season. Attempts to reach the two quarterbacks on Sunday were unsuccessful.

Adams said he’s been satisfied with Hasselbeck and Locker, and acknowledged Locker is the future at the position.

“But I want Manning. I’d love to see him in Titan blue after watching him so many years with the Colts,” Adams said. “I will be upset because if I didn’t get him. I want him. I am ready to do what it takes to get him aboard and I think he’d be the guy to get us into the playoffs.”

Adams also said he would speak to Manning about eventually taking a role in the front office.

“I want him to be with me the rest of his working period of his life, even when he doesn’t want to play anymore,” Adams said. “I want him to come to work for us as long as he lives.”

Can't say I saw this coming AT ALL.  The GM of the Titans stated a few weeks ago that they had no interest in Manning.  I guess someone forgot to tell Bud Adams that.  There is a trainwreck quailty to Bud Adams' ownership of the Titans/Oilers that makes it almost fascinating to observe.  The guy is CHEAP but he is also somewhat insane.  You know all that shit I said about Jeff Fisher a year ago, well I take it back.  The guy might be an overrated coach but as a PR guy/face of franchise who had to deal with Bud on a weekly basis he gets an A from me.  He made the franchise seem normal and stable.

Yeah, I never had a real issue with him keeping the name.  At least around the early part of the decade it seemed that he wanted to try something new (ie rebuild the GNR brand/name).  I was actually pretty stoked at the prospect of new/different music coming from Axl at that time.

NY Jets extended Sanchez and gave him 27 million in guaranteed cash.  I don't get that one.  They must have needed the cap space BAD.

The one new/current guy I could see them involving here would be Dolph Ziggler.  He's one of the few guys who can wrestle and cut a promo (aside from CM Punk).  Hell they might as well bring back Ric Flair for a mouthpiece role while they are at it.

Kane is basically a jobber (to the upper card stars) at this point.  Jericho is gone for a Fozzy tour in the summer.

It's a sad state on the roster when 3 of the best promo guys are retired/part time wrestlers (HHH, HBK, The Rock).