Let’s see if we understand this.
• Miami was the front-runner for Peyton. Then we heard the media scared him off.
• Peyton owns a condo on South Beach. Then we heard the condo is 45 minutes to an hour from the Dolphins facility.
• South Florida media pointed out why Miami-Manning might be a perfect marriage. Then we heard none of the coaching staff knows Peyton well.
• The Broncos weren’t a real contender. Then we heard Elway and his coach spoke Peyton’s language.
• Peyton preferred the AFC. Then we heard he spent a lot of time with the Cardinals.
• The Cardinals also weren’t real contenders. Then we heard they might have the Manning sweepstakes wrapped up and their coach was one of Peyton’s golfing buddies.
• Peyton was done visiting teams. Then we heard he met the Dolphins for five to six hours.
• Peyton would likely decide before free agency started. Then we heard that was unlikely.
Throughout the reporting on Peyton’s next place, the one word I heard most often than his name was a media outlet showing us the word “source.” Everyone seems to have a source with keen insight into Peyton’s plans. After all, what’s the point of calling yourself a sports reporter if your contacts don’t include sources who know what Peyton is thinking before he does? Who needs two reliable sources when just having one gives you something to Tweet about? Don’t worry. Reporters don’t have egos, so there’s no pressure to prove anything to their peers. Don’t worry. Sources don’t have egos, so there’s no pressure to prove they’re in football’s inner circle. Don’t worry. Those involved have no financial stake, so there’s no reason to spread misinformation.
Let’s be real. Who wants to simply report facts? Journalism is about predicting the future and telling us what will happen before it happens and until something different happens.
Reporting is no fun if you say “I have no clue what he will decide” or “each of these teams has something positive to offer him. It’s a toss up.”
And when it’s all over and Peyton picks his place, the experts will explain how the chosen city was the obvious one all along. “What, you didn’t figure it out already? What kind of reporter are you? Who’s your source?”