Archie says Peyton 'likes his roots' in Indy. (Getty Images)

By Will Brinson

With three games remaining in the 2011 NFL season, it's just about time to flip into full "Where will Peyton Manning play in 2012?" mode. (Trust me: from February 8th to March 8th, you'll hear a lot about it.) His father Archie Manning said Sunday that Peyton would prefer to stay with the Colts.

Of course, as long as Eli Manning is playing -- he beat Green Bay at Lambeau on Sunday with Archie watching -- the Manning machine might as well already be started.

"Peyton kind of likes his roots in Indy,” Archie told the New York Post after watching his other son beat the Packers at Lambeau Field. "We’ll see what happens there. If that doesn’t work and he can get healthy we’ll see. That’ll all work out. He’s just trying to get healthy."

Archie was asked specifically about the rumors that the Jets could be interested in Peyton and declined to discuss that.

“I’m not going to get into that," Archie replied.

It shouldn't be surprising that Peyton wants to stay with the Colts. He's due a lot of money, it's the only team he's ever played for, he's comfortable with the organization and the idea of being discarded by the one team he's ever played for so they can draft a rookie with the first pick can't be comforting.

But Peyton has little control over whether or not he stays with the Colts. That boils down to his health, their specific plan to rebuild the roster and myriad other factors that will be fleshed out over the next month or so.

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, Like Us on Facebook, subscribe to our NFL newsletter, and while you're add it, add our RSS Feed.

By Will Brinson & Ryan Wilson

Despite there being no lockout, the NFLPA's been under fire for a number of issues (a lack of HGH testing, the suspensions of some Redskins, Cedric Benson) and union spokesman George Atallah was kind enough to join the show in break down where the union stands on those issues.

We also discuss in depth some of the issues surrounding HGH testing and whether or not it's a viable option for 2011.

Then Ryan and Will break down the Thursday night matchup between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, wondering if the Browns have any shot at all to upset the Steelers and if the trade that gave Atlanta Julio Jones (and the Browns Greg Little) is already a bust for Cleveland, and if Pittsburgh is the best team in the AFC.

The guys also break down Archie Manning's latest comments about Peyton and Andrew Luck and how they relate to the Colts future.

Did we mention that you should subscribe to the podcast via iTunes?

If you can't listen to the podcast below, download it here. And if you'd like to keep working while listening in your browser, pop that puppy out in a new tab here.


For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, subscribe to our NFL newsletter, and while you're at it, add our RSS Feed.

By Will Brinson

Archie Manning's on a media tour for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award these days and over the past 48 hours, he's probably been asked about Peyton Manning's future no less than 50 times, particularly as it relates to the strong possibility of the Colts drafting Andrew Luck.

One such time was Tuesday morning, when I spoke with Archie about the future of his oldest son with Indy.

"Well, you know, we'll just kind of have to see how that all plays out," Archie told CBSSports.com. "I think so much as far as what happens with Peyton will be about his health. And with the Colts, certainly understanding they're having a tough year and they'll have a high pick. I think Andrew Luck is a great prospect, somebody you can bring into your team and be a franchise quarterback and have a long career so you gotta to appreciate what the Colts are going through.

"It'll all work out. It'll all work out, seeing how they finish the season, seeing how they do, seeing how Peyton's health is, it'll shake out and be fine."


Archie later stated that he didn't "think [having Luck and Peyton on the same roster] would necessarily be a great fit for either one," a comment that drew plenty of skepticism about Peyton's future with the Colts. (And, perhaps, a text message or two from Peyton to his pops.)

The elder Manning clarified those remarks on ESPN radio Wednesday morning, when asked why he didn't believe the two could co-exist.

"I'm sure they could," Archie said Wednesday. "Andrew is a great young man and we've enjoyed getting to know him. He and Peyton have a friendship, and I'm one of the few people out there that's not really concerned about this deal. All good people respect each other and I'm sure this will all shake out."

The reality of Archie's comment that drew skepticism is probably this: he believes Peyton can play a few more years, and he believes Luck, as he told me, can step right in and be a franchise quarterback.

Keeping both guys on the same roster isn't just difficult from a financial perspective (though it's certainly possible), it's difficult from a football perspective, because it means limiting the number of years in which Luck can receive on-field training as a starting quarterback.

And it's precisely why the Colts are likely to have a difficult decision in the coming months.

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, Like Us on Facebook, subscribe to our NFL newsletter, and while you're add it, add our RSS Feed.

Posted by Will Brinson & Ryan Wilson

Week 13 is all wrapped up, and we break down the Chargers-Jaguars matchup.

We've got a special guest this week though, and Archie Manning joins the show to talk about the BCS matchup, the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award (click to vote), the status of Peyton Manning's health, why Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin are more vulnerable to critcism than other people (and if they deserve it), how Eli's developed wide receivers this year, the Ole Miss coaching search, and how Peyton and Andrew Luck would work on the same team.

Then we break down whether or not Tim Tebow can be an MVP candidate and bring on our good friend Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk to discuss Tebow's candidacy, whether the Lions are a shinking ship, and much, much more.

Did we mention that you should subscribe to the podcast via iTunes?

If you can't listen to the podcast below, download it here. And if you'd like to keep working while listening in your browser, pop that puppy out in a new tab here.


For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, subscribe to our NFL newsletter, and while you're at it, add our RSS Feed.

Artist rendering of what Manning would look like as a slightly overweight SEC head coach.

Posted by Ryan Wilson

This much we know: Houston Nutt won't be coaching the Ole Miss football team after the 2011 season. Former Rebels signal caller and progenitor of the modern NFL quarterback, Archie Manning, is on the search committee to find the next coach.

Seems reasonable given Archie's legacy and his stature. Less reasonable, however: the calls for Peyton Manning to succeed Nutt. But that hasn't stopped fans from suggesting as much.

"I've gotten about 20 or 25 e-mails from people in that regard," Archie told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "I passed that on to Peyton. He said, 'Just tell them that I'm 0-10 as an assistant for Indianapolis.'"

Incidentally, the oh-for-2011 start hasn't slowed Jim Caldwell any. In fact, Caldwell has applauded his team's hard work this year, which hasn't gone over well with owner Jim Irsay. (“We will never accept this kind of chronic losing. It’s an unwelcome visitor, that we will not tolerate,” Irsay said recently via Twitter.)

Manning has missed the 2011 season while he recovers from multiple neck surgeries. But unlike some players who choose to rehab away from the team, Manning has been seen on the sidelines and in the coaches booth during games. He's even helped with the game-planning. And once he's healthy, there's every reason to believe that he'll resuming his playing career. Even if the Colts go winless and draft Andrew Luck.

Meanwhile, Archie's search continues.

"I know a lot of people in football, you get names of possible coaches and you take them down," he said. "We'll turn the names we have over to the search firm and they'll have more names. …

"A proven name (as a head coach) is good," the elder Manning continued. "But at the same time, every head coach out there has been an assistant at one time. So it wouldn't be wise for us to look away from assistants. We're looking at everyone, even in the pro ranks."

Echoing the thoughts of our buddy MDS at PFT.com, we wonder if Jim Caldwell's name is on Archie's list.

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, subscribe to our NFL newsletter, and while you're at it, add our RSS Feed.

Posted by Will Brinson

Today's podcast entry features a pretty timely guest: Archie Manning.

After all, his two sons just did metaphorical battle in Indianapolis on Sunday night and then last evening, his team, the New Orleans Saints, won their second close game of the year as they took down the 49ers in Candlestick Park.

So we talked to Archie about those two fairly large events, what he thinks about NFL coaches replacing quarterbacks after just two weeks how the looming lockout will effect the NFL in 2011, and his role with the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year (fun fact: they're giving away $1 million to two college teams that can manage to go an entire game without penalties combined).

Hit the play button to see what he has to say and don't forget to subscribe via iTunes .

If you can't view the podcast, click here to download .


For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow  @cbssportsnfl   on Twitter   and subscribe to our  RSS Feed .

Posted by Josh Katzowitz

If you’re like me, you love the prop bets put out by Vegas during Super Bowl week. Well, we’ve got the Week 2 release from bodog.com, and they’ve got some pretty solid prop bets as well.

For your satisfaction, here are a few (with – what the hell? – some of my analysis).

How many times will Archie Manning be shown on the Live Broadcast of the Sunday Night Football game between the Giants & Colts?

Over/Under: 1.5

I think this is low. If I was setting the O/U, I’d make it something like 4.5.

Michael Vick – Total Rushing Yards Week 2 vs. Detroit (must start)

Over/Under: 34.5

If he’s under 34 yards, I’d be shocked.

Will Mark Sanchez be the starter for every game that he is active for in the 2010 NFL Regular Season?

Yes -200

No +150

What, you’d rather have Mark Brunell out there?

Arian Foster – Total Rushing Yards Week 2 vs. Washington?

Over/Under: 85.5

Dallas’ Marion Barber rushed for 39 yards on eight carries last Sunday, and Felix Jones had eight and 38. For what it’s worth.

Alex Barron – Total Penalties Week 2 vs. Chicago?

Over/Under: 1

I guess it’s so low because of how little he might play. Notice it says “Total Penalties” and not “Holding Penalties.”

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter and subscribe to our RSS Feed .