By my estimation, the Dolphins are in first place, the 49ers are out of the running, Cards are very unlikely, and the Redskins are a mixed bag.

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Kravitz: Manning not "throwing like an NFL quarterback yet" | PFT
"I know some of the people that have seen him throw," Indianapolis Star columnist Bob Kravitz said Tuesday on the Tony Kornheiser show on 980 ESPN. "They say he’s not throwing like an NFL quarterback yet. That doesn’t mean he never will. This thing is going to take down. Structurally, he’s sound. Structurally, he can take a hit."

Report: Manning working out at Duke | National Football Post
That Manning would go to Duke to work out and recover from his neck surgery is not that big of a surprise since Blue Devils coach David Cutcliffe was his offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee. Cutcliffe was also head coach at Ole Miss when Eli Manning quarterbacked the Rebels.

Cardinals____________________

Twitter / @AdamSchefter: Let the speculation begin: ...
Cardinals hired Frank Reich, Peyton Manning's QB coach the past six years in Indianapolis, as their QB coach.

ESPN insider: Money could be sticking point with Cardinals, Manning - ArizonaSports.com
John Clayton told Arizona Sports 620 that Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill would not pay for two quarterbacks in two years.

Dolphins____________________

Peyton Manning Rumored To Be Eyeing Miami Dolphins As Team On Short List - SB Nation Arizona
Manning and his wife own a condo on South Beach and a source said they'd love to relocate to South Florida if the fit is right. A second source confirmed Manning's interest in the Dolphins. Playing for the Dolphins would allow Manning to remain in the AFC, and the Colts are on Miami's schedule next season, which is an added bonus.

Redskins________________________________

Pro Bowl 2009: Manning lauds Mike Shanahan - The Denver Post
"I would be hard-pressed to find a better offensive mind than Mike Shanahan," Manning said. (Note, this was before Manning got to play with Jim Caldwell).

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Sticking to my theme of guards last week when I profiled Ben Grubbs, this week I decided to have a look at Saints soon-to-be free agent, Carl Nicks. Nicks is a big (6'5", 343 lbs), powerful guard. On paper, when you see a guard that weights in at nearly 350 pounds, then you think he's not going to be light on his feet, which is what is required by a lineman in Mike Shanahans' zone-blocking scheme. But you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, so lets have a look at the film.

Run Blocking:

The Saints have different aspects to their run game. But when you have powerful guards like Nicks and Jahri Evans, you'll see a lot of power runs.

This is the Saints bread and butter. Power run up the middle. Nicks is going to angle Texans defensive end Antonio Smith (who is going to the pro bowl next week) to the outside and then completely cut him off from making a play.

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For perhaps the first time in his career, there is a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the head of Peyton Manning. Manning missed the entire 2011 season with a neck injury and without him, the Indianapolis Colts fell to a 2-14 season and the number one pick in the draft. This draft just happens to contain quarterback Andrew Luck, rated by most as the best quarterback prospect since Manning himself. Before the season started, the Colts signed Manning to a 5-year, $90million contract. This leaves the Colts in quite the predicament... Keep a 35 year old (will be 36 in March) quarterback who has been the face of your franchise for the last decade and trade the rights to Luck and build up around Manning for another few years of Super Bowl runs; or cut ties with Manning and move on into the future with Luck.

It appears that in all likelihood the Colts will draft Luck, making Manning a very expensive back-up option. Manning is due a $28million roster bonus in March before the window for trading players opens. This means that the Colts will have to make the decision to either pay Manning and keep him as that very expensive back-up, or cut him and get nothing in return. There is debate as to exactly what the Colts will do, but there's a pretty good chance Manning hits the open market.

That is where the Washington Redskins come in. Rumor has it that they are interested. In years gone by, Vinny Cerrato would have taken Dan Snyder's checkbook and given Manning a blank check to come play in D.C. (Or Maryland, as the case may be). Hell, even this new regime would do similar. I mean, one of their first moves was to go and make a trade for Donovan McNabb, so they could easily make a similar move and go get Manning right?

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The first 12 hours of free agency may not have been as crazy as fans expected, nonetheless some big moves have been made and there is still plenty more to come in the coming days. The Redskins have not been very active but have signed Santana Moss, two futures contracts, and four undrafted free agents.

Redskins Signings
Santana Moss (3 Years, $15 mil)

Futures
Edgar Jones, LB
Jeff Stehle, DE

UDFAs
Willie Smith, OT (ECU)
Ben Chappell, QB (Indiana)
Shaun Draughn, RB (UNC)
Kevin Gidrey, FB (USF)

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With the lockout over and rumors really starting to heat up, nearly all the speculation around Redskins Park today has circulated around the wide receiver position. Many thought the Redskins would target a veteran wide receiver one way or another, but it is becoming increasingly clear that WR will most likely be priority number one for the Skins once deals can be made.

Adding fuel to the fire NFL Draft Monster (@NFLDraftMonster) has confirmation with numerous sources that the Redskins have legitimate interest in Vikings receiver Sidney Rice. Rice, who will turn 25 before the start of the season, has been plagued by injuries throughout his career and only started 5 games last year. His best year came in 2009 when he went for over 1,300 yards and 8 TDs, helping the Vikings to the NFC Championship game.

This is the second instance of the Redskins interest peaking at the WR position, earlier today the club was linked to Santonio Holmes being their top target.

As much as we like to follow Skins rumors here at HH, we will also be keeping a keen eye on division rivals. I'm sure most have heard the Brett Favre rumors, where he would be potentially be going to Philadelphia to back up Michael Vick, really Brett? REALLY.

But something more substantive came today when D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution wrote that the Atlanta Falcons will drop their pursuit of Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards, and that Edwards likely has a deal in place with the Eagles.

Ray Edwards is headed elsewhere: The Falcons reportedly have had a change of heart. They are going to focus on retaining their 11 free agents and will not be a player in the Ray Edwards derby. The defensive end is expected to land in Philadelphia.

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Via Rotoworld:

Sources are confirming one of the first moves from the Bengals will be cutting ties with Ochocinco - Getting word this will happen before Saturday.. Add Ochocinco to the list of potential WR options for other teams looking for a 3rd WR (Dolphins / Raiders / Patriots) will all have possible interest.

I originally saw this rumor from Incarcerated Bob, who is a sports radio host for the THE FAN in New York City. He is not 100% on his rumors, but he does get a lot right. If the Redskins did bring in Ocho, do not expect a positive post for me. The Redskins do not have any kind of answer at Quarterback, so why bring in a guy that brings attention to himself? Ocho should be playing for a playoff contender as his career is waning. The only reason he'd be coming to D.C. is for a paycheck.

So that leads to an interesting question. Who would get #85...Hankerson or Ocho? 

Evan Silva, a popular NFL writer for Pro Football Talk, NBC Sports, and Rotoworld, recently tweeted:

ESPN's John Clayton on free agent Braylon Edwards: "Watch for Washington to make a big bid." #Redskins

A few thoughts. How would anyone know this? Is this simply the media doing the same ole, "The Redskins always go after big named players, so expect them to go after Braylon?" Or, as Rick Snider said, is this agents working their magic through the media to drive up the price for the clients? So many big-named players are linked to The Danny. It is what it is. If the Redskins don't bring back Santana Moss, then they certainly need a non-rookie there. 

The former Jet and Brown has only had one 1000 yard season in his career. That's not too much of a knock since he was with Cleveland 5 years and got 904 yards last year with the Jets. Edwards led the league in dropped balls in 2009 with 16, but it appears last year he only dropped 1. 

Also well known are his legal issues, which include: driving 120 in a 65mph, punching a party promoter in the face (I'm OK with this one since the promoter was a friend of Lebron), and a DWI, which he is still on probation for. Based on the Redskins move to bring in high-character guys, the Edwards signing would surprise me a little.

Last year he signed a 1-year, $6.1million and is a free agent currently.