For the record, I have always been of the opinion the Redskins should use their 1st round pick on a QB (Originally I had been in the Jones camp, but switched over to Barkley after the Oregon game), But I’ve been thinking…which is a dangerous thing…what if the Colts and Manning agreed to part ways and the Colts decided to release him before paying him the $28 million, thus making him a free agent. If this happens, I am starting to change my thinking and believe the best course of action for the Redskins might be to sign him and not draft a QB in this year’s draft. So, as Tiller gets his baseball bat and jumps into his car to drive down i-95 to find me down here in New York City, let me explain my thinking.

1. Manning’s skills have not diminished that much, and in my opinion, Manning at 70% is 4x times Rex Grossman. We would be a play-off contender next year.

2. I think he is a true leader. He will discipline and teach the youngsters on the offense side of the ball over the next two years and keep guys like Davis and Trent in line. He will be the London Fletcher on offense in that sense. Just imagine what his influence and skill will do for Hank, Paul, Austin, and any draft picks we might select.

3. On a side note, that type of commitment by the Skins should help in keeping London around for a couple of years.

4. In terms of the draft, we could trade down, get extra picks in 2012 (and maybe in 2013) and really focus on the OL, WR, CB, and other positions.

5. Then we can address QB in 2013 or 2014 in the first round- and that QB would have a year or so under Manning.

6. Manning might not only be a good influence on the players, but a tremendous influence on Kyle.

Well, just a thought…and let me be clear, I would not make a trade for Manning, but I would now be tempted to go after him if he were a FA. Financial implications of this would be interesting- If we signed him, could we keep our FAs, and go after Nicks (or Grubbs), Bowe, etc?