Live Blog: Weekend Peyton Manning Tracker

We will update this page daily on the whereabouts of free agent quarterback Peyton Manning this weekend.  Re-fresh your browser accordingly.

7:00 p.m. (MT):  After 2,266 words, over 22,500 reads and over twenty-four hours of coverage, this live tracker will now end.  Manning is expected to return to his home in Miami this evening and is not expected to make any more visits before announcing his decision sometime before free agency beings at 2:00 p.m. (MT) on Tuesday.  For more updates and breaking coverage once he signs, check BroncoTalk.net daily.

6:54 p.m. (MT):  Klis has chimed in to say that it appears to be doubtful that Manning will make his decision on Monday.  It is still expected that he will choose between the Cardinals and Broncos before the start of free agency on Tuesday, however.

6:52 p.m. (MT):  You can read my take on the situation over on Broncos Zone.

6:38 p.m. (MT):  Great information on Manning’s visits can be found here.

6:08 p.m. (MT):  Somers reports that Manning is flying back to his home in Miami.

5:38 p.m. (MT):  Sources close to the Broncos tell CBS4‘s Vic Lombardi that Denver’s chances of signing Denver are about 80%, per MaxDenver.com‘s Andrew Mason. 

5:34 p.m. (MT):  Multiple sources are reporting that Manning is expected to choose between the Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals by Monday evening.

5:05 p.m. (MT):  Manning is expected to now visit the Miami Dolphins, but all reports have been based on speculation.  The Broncos expect Manning to make a decision by tomorrow evening.

4:44 p.m. (MT):  Manning is leaving Arizona now, per Bienvenu.  [Photo]

4:14 p.m. (MT):  Bienvenu:  “So Manning still in meeting with Cards… now that meeting has officially gone longer than the one at Broncos camp… if you’re keeping score.”

3:32 p.m. (MT):  As Mason points out, Manning’s meetings with the Broncos and Cardinals appear to have been similar.  In both cases Manning had dinner with team officials from both teams and spent more than five hours at Denver’s and Arizona’s respective facilities.

2:45 p.m. (MT):  Somers:  “Nothing to update here. Manning still here, been here about 4 1/2 hours.  I had a salad for lunch.”

2:30 p.m. (MT):  Cardinals wide receiver Andre Roberts has just left the facility, per Brad Cesmat.

2:27 p.m. (MT):  Denver Broncos fans have arrived at the Cardinals facility.  Nice.

2:21 p.m. (MT):  For the record, we’re not buying this, but Gambadoro has tweeted:  “Unless Bidwill screws this up Peyton should be a Card … promising!”

2:11 p.m. (MT):  “Archie Manning is consulting with Peyton Manning about where Peyton will play next,” writes Klis. 

1:41 p.m. (MT)  Somers:  “Larry Fitzgerald leaves facility. He is leaving today for Australia. Andre Roberts arrives. He’s a WR too.”

12:21 p.m. (MT):  Somers:  “For those asking for updates:  Peyton Manning entered the building two hours ago.  Still inside.  We’re still outside (and we) don’t expect much more (information) for a while.”

11:43 a.m. (MT)  The Arizona press is eagerly waiting for Manning.

11:31 a.m. (MT):  Do not read unto Gambadoro’s report — there have been many false reports over the past forty-eight hours, his may be yet another.  Denver, Arizona and Miami outlets are all reporting that Manning will sign with their respective teams.

11:29 a.m. (MT):  620 KTAR‘s John Gambadoro is reporting that Manning will sign with the Cardinals. 

11:25 a.m. (MT):  ESPN’s Pedro Gomez ‏is reporting that Manning has been in the Cardinals facility meeting with Ken Whisenhunt, Russ Grimm, Rod Graves and Larry Fitzgerald for the past hour.

11:12 a.m. (MT)  Lombardi has learned that the Broncos are expecting Manning to make a decision by Monday.  Obviously, Manning wouldn’t be able to visit many more teams than the Cardinals, Broncos and perhaps Dolphins before then.

11:08 a.m. (MT):  Lombardi:  “Do not discount the role Pat Bowlen will play in this. Manning wants to win another Super Bowl. Bowlen or Bidwill?”

11:03 a.m. (MT):  Schefter is reporting that Manning has narrowed it down to the Cardinals and Broncos.  One source told Schefter that Manning “is leaning toward Denver.”

11:00 a.m. (MT):  CBS4’s Gary Miller:  “Manning meeting with Cards right now. Let’s hope air-conditioning breaks down.”

Sun. 8:00 a.m. (MT):  Florio cites a source “with knowledge of the dynamics in Denver” that says the team will trade Tebow if Manning signs.

Sunday, 7:57 a.m. (MT):  104.3 The Fan’s Alfred Williams says the Broncos’ chances of landing Manning are 90%, despite the fact that Manning is in Arizona today.

Sat. 7:50 p.m. (MT):  Manning will soon be in Arizona, we’re signing off for the evening.  We don’t expect anything big will happen before tomorrow — we’ll be back then.

7:32 p.m. (MT):  As it turns out, Arizona is just as googly-eyed over Manning as we are (and who could blame them?).

5:38 p.m. (MT)  No word yet on Manning’s current whereabouts, or which flight he is taking.

5:13 p.m. (MT):  Manning will visit with the Cardinals tonight before going back home to Miami (presumably in the morning).  After that he currently has nothing scheduled.

4:32 p.m. (MT)  Multiple sources are reporting that the Broncos talked with Manning today and the vibe is that things went extremely well.

4:26 p.m. (MT):  Klis is reporting that the Broncos’ two days with Manning were very productive and the team is hopeful and encouraged after meeting with him.

4:23 p.m. (MT)  BT has learned that the Broncos are confident that Manning will sign with the team.  It has not been confirmed but we assume that the team has offered him a contract.

4:05 p.m. (MT):  Free agent quarterback Peyton Manning will now leave Denver this evening and fly to Arizona to visit with the Cardinals.  Manning is expected to visit several teams before making a decision (which will come before Tuesday).

4:00 p.m. (MT):  The Broncos have given Manning their best sales pitch and now all they can do is wait.  The ball is in Manning’s court.

3:58 p.m. (MT):  Glazer:  “Don’t read into him leaving Denver without a deal. He never wanted to just take one visit & sign. Cards up next. Still gonna be a fast process.”

3:53 p.m. (MT) Fox Sports‘ Jay Glazer is reporting that Manning is scheduled to fly to Arizona and visit with the Cardinals this evening.

3:32 p.m. (MT):  In Arizona, the media has been waiting all day for Manning to arrive, reports Pat Graham.  As far as we know, Manning is still in Denver.

3:03 p.m. (MT):  Spano:  “Apologies, confirmed Manning is not in building like earlier reported. As we know now, still in Denver though.”

2:57 p.m. (MT):  This is merely speculation, but with Manning still in Denver, the Broncos’ odds of landing him seem to be high.

2:53 p.m. (MT):  If the Arizona Cardinals are planning on “chasing ex-Colt star Peyton Manning,” receiver Larry Fitzgerald knows nothing about it, writes Marc Sessler.

2:46 p.m. (MT):  This post has reached 1,189 words and 6,113 reads since 10:30 this morning.

2:41 p.m. (MT):  Saccomano:  “Query response–no, not usually at office on a Saturday like today–but these are not usual times.”

2:37 p.m. (MT):  Beisner reports: “Per Broncos team source: There is speculation that talks could continue between Manning and the Broncos at some point on Saturday.”

2:27 p.m. (MT):  The Denver Post‘s Mike Klis has confirmed that Manning is still in Denver, although not at the team’s facility in Dove Valley.  Elway however is at the team’s headquarters, which is normal, says Klis, with free agency set to begin on Tuesday.  

2:21 p.m. (MT):  Beisner is reporting that the Broncos were “encouraged by their visit with Peyton yesterday,” and Manning is still in Denver.

2:18 p.m. (MT):  It sounds like Manning is still in Denver with a planned flight to Arizona this evening.  Reports are that he will meet with other teams before making a decision.

2:10 p.m. (MT):  Elsewhere in the NFL, there have been several transactions today.  The Falcons have signed linebacker Lofa Tatupu and the Vikings will part ways with cornerback Cedric Griffin, offensive lineman Anthony Herrera and veteran guard Steve Hutchinson.

1:53 p.m. (MT):  Although he is still in Denver, Lombardi says Manning is not at the Broncos’ facility.

1:50 p.m. (MT):  Lombardi has just confirmed Spano’s report — Manning is still in Denver.

1:44 p.m. (MT):  “Very reliable source has just told me that Peyton Manning is still at Broncos Headquarters at Dove Valley right now.” — Spano

1:35 p.m. (MT):  PFT‘s Michael David Smith says that quarterback Tim Tebow is “rattled” by the whole situation.  Update, 2:15 p.m. (MT):  The “Tebow is rattled” report was just speculation by a reporter.  H/T:  basdf

1:19 p.m. (MT):  Lombardi reports:  “You’re not gonna get an itinerary from anybody. This isn’t some sort of Goodwill Tour. No word on his next move — yet.”

1:13 p.m. (MT):  Lombardi spoke to a couple of veteran Broncos players who are “giddy about the prospects of landing Manning.”  Perhaps defensive backs Brian Dawkins and Champ Bailey?

12:55 p.m. (MT):  Bienvenu reports:  “Again I don’t think Manning would sign without exploring all options. Cardinals, Dolphins. Now private jet listed to Phoenix at 7:00.”

12:52 p.m. (MT):  NFLN‘s Michelle Beisner ‏is reporting that Bowlen, Vice President of Football Operations John Elway and General Manager Brian Xanders are all at the team’s facility in Dove Valley (presumably Head Coach John Fox is there as well).

12:49 p.m. (MT):  Mason reports: “Manning holds the cards & he’ll do due diligence, so don’t expect a resolution today. But Denver offers a combo others can’t match: cap room even after Manning gets his money, defensive play-makers, a like-minded leader in the front office, young WR’s with potential and a player-friendly coach with a winning playoff record. ”

12:43 p.m. (MT):  Affirming ESPN‘s report, Bienvenu ‏says that Manning’s visit in Denver is done.  There is a private jet flying back to Miami at 3:00 p.m., per Bienvenu.

12:38 p.m. (MT):  Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen just arrived in Dove Valley and parked his Porsche in the team’s private parking garage, per Jones.

12:30 p.m. (MT):  ESPN’s Bill Williamson is reporting that Manning’s visit in Denver is done and that he is now expected to visit the Cardinals and Dolphins.  However, no one has confirmed that Manning has even left Denver and Arizona Republic reporter Kent Somers says that Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald told him that he does not think Manning is visiting the team today and if he is, Fitzgerald wasn’t invited.

12:26 p.m. (MT):  NFL.com‘s Jeff Darlington says there is a “so far, so good” sentiment coming from a few Broncos sources in brief text exchanges today. Not very telling — only that optimism lives.

12:21 p.m. (MT)  We cannot confirm or deny that Peyton Manning is still in Denver, but no news is definitely good news.  With things so quiet and Manning presumably still in Denver, might the Broncos be negotiating a contract?

11:46 a.m. (MT): Broncos Vice President of Public Relations Jim Saccomano has been sending a series of tweets, which read:  “Every team trying to improve, each move like those in a chess match, one leading to another, in NFL. Critics are always there, but what Teddy Roosevelt said about the process remains true — the credit belongs to the one in the arena.  Broncos’ top guys in arena are Mr. Bowlen and John Elway — no question about their passionate desire to win, and win…”

11:25 a.m. (MT):  BT can confirm that Warner is holding a charity event at the Cardinals facility today and Manning will not visit them any sooner than this evening — if at all.  It looks like Manning will stay in Denver for the day.

11:08 a.m. (MT):  MaxDenver.com‘s Andrew Mason:  “A quiet morning would appear to be the best circumstance to increase the Broncos’ chances of landing Peyton Manning. As with many situations, the less we hear, the more likely it is that stuff gets done.”

10:59 a.m. (MT): 104.3 The Fan’s DMac has learned that former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner is holding a charity event at the team’s facility today and Manning is not expected to visit, according to “people in AZ.”

10:57 a.m. (MT):  As far as everyone knows, Peyton Manning is still in Denver, which is a good sign.

10:52 a.m. (MT):  ABC7’s Lionel Bievnenu is citing sources which say Manning wants to avoid drama and if he likes Denver’s situation, he may just sign here before visiting anyone else.  By drama, Bienvenu must mean the drama of dragging out his decision, because there would surely be Tebowmania drama in Denver is Manning signed here.  The report went on to say, “Then again hard to think he would not explore all his options before signing.”

10:48 a.m. (MT): The Denver Post‘s Lindsay Jones has chimed in, speculating that the longer Manning stays in the Denver, the better the chances are of him signing with the Broncos.  Until Manning talks however, nobody really knows.  The Broncos — and everyone — are waiting on Manning.

10:44 a.m. (MT): NFL Network‘s Albert Breer is piggy-backing on Cole/Florio’s report on Manning’s arm, noting that nerve regeneration is happening, which is huge.  Breer says to expect to see continued improvement, but clarifies that there are no guarantees.

10:42 a.m. (MT): PFT‘s Mike Florio is re-reporting that Manning’s arm strength is still far from being 100%, but he is making progress.  Of course, Florio also talked to kerry last night to confirm that a 50% healthy Peyton Manning arm would still be more accurate than a 100% healthy Tim Tebow arm.

10:33 a.m. (MT): Mile High Sports‘ Brandon Spano reports that Manning’s neck has made great progress in it’s recovery but is still not 100%.  There is still lots of time for it to heal, however.

Saturday, 10:29 a.m. (MT): CBS4‘s Vic Lombardi reports that free agent quarterback Peyton Manning had a long, productive evening with the Broncos last night and he is still in Denver.  Per Lombardi, Manning came away impressed with Owner Pat Bowlen and the Broncos are awaiting his next move.  He is expected to visit other teams before making a decision.