With the official announcement of the release of Peyton Manning from the Indianapolis Colts, a collective gasp of excitement blasted through the ownership of nearly a dozen teams in the National Football League, yesterday.

I personally feel, as well as I am sure others do too, that the release of Manning cast sad commentary towards the business of football. I try hard to live in a fantasy world where money has nothing to do with the actual game.

One popular line of thinking is that Peyton should have retired graciously. I personally am not one that ever believes retirement is a good idea. In an occupation where a player’s pinnacle of success is so time limited, the internal drive to continue to play football is understandable. My instincts tell me that with four neck surgeries in under 24 months there may be some physical jeopardy that Peyton is willing to assume that players of lesser caliber would not. The guy’s driven, no doubt about it. Peyton is a warrior. I just hope that the stabilization of his cervical spine is as rock solid as his will to play the game. I worry that once he gets hit with one bad sandwich tackle the ending could be ugly.

I’m selfish. I still want to see Peyton play. I lived in Tennessee when Peyton was playing at UT. I remember how the sky and the grass grew orange in those parts. What I really want to see is Peyton play with a quality, elite wide receiver. I think a Manning-Fitzgerald combination would be crushing. Then there’s the other side of me that would love to see Peyton Manning and Hines Ward end up at the same place. With over 30 years of NFL experience combined, the march of the “veterans” could be truly remarkable. That would be something to watch.

I’m really wondering what Peyton’s inner circle has to say about him continuing to play. I understand the Manning family eats, breathes and sleeps football. I know they are hard-core and that all of them, women included, can probably take a big hit. With that said, I would imagine that his Wife and Mother, though externally supportive, are more than a little concerned about his safety. He’s been medically cleared to play ball, but has he been cleared to take the biggest hit of his career? It could be coming. I’m assuming that when August rolls around, there will be covered eyes and averted stares from the family box, each time Peyton gets tackled. Especially the first time. Being a professional athlete in his mid-30s, I wonder if he doesn’t view himself as more invincible than he truly is.

My hope is that he can fulfill his desire to continue to play and get a starting role behind an offense that operates like Secret Service agents protecting the President. Nobody gets near Peyton—EVER! In addition, what he needs is a wide receiver they can out-run his arm. You don’t want to have to watch as he dances in the pocket, waiting for his receiver to run his route.

I think the highest interest factor will occur if he ends up on the Jet’s roster. The jockeying for the New York market would take family competition to a whole new level.  Overall, Arizona is probably the best place for him. Besides Fitzy, it’s warm and dry down there year-round. He won’t have to brave the crazy elements of the Northeast with such regularity. That nice weather should help his neck. Maybe even extend his career.