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Sunday notes, thoughts and observations on the Jets and the NFL:

1. Let's make a deal. If the Jets want to trade up, the highest logical target is the Jaguars (No. 7 overall), who may be looking to deal out. What would it take to go up nine spots? According to the trade value chart, which serves as a guide to teams, the Jets would have to give up their first-, second- and fifth-round picks -- plus maybe a seventh-round throw-in. There's speculation the Jets are willing to move up to No. 7 for South Carolina OLB Melvin Ingram. In my opinion, that would be too much to surrender for a short-armed pass rusher who started only one season. Don't get me wrong, he's a terrific prospect, but he's not one of the elite players. For Alabama RB Trent Richardson, I'd do it. He could change the entire offense.

2. The gang's all here. Monday is the start of the off-season program, which means the Jets will be together for the first time since the Miami meltdown on Jan. 1. Technically, these are "voluntary" workouts, but attendance is critical, especially for the Jets. They need to rebuild their chemistry and start learning Tony Sparano's offense. So far, no word on any disgruntled players that are planning to skip. Yes, CB Darrelle Revis, who is seeking a new contract, will be there on Day 1.

3. Darrelle's dollars. A few days ago, I wrote about the Revis contract, which has two years, $13.5 million remaining. Two years ago, the two sides failed to hammer out a long-term deal, settling for a one-year extension. The Jets expressed two legitimate concerns during those negotiations -- uncertainty with the NFL collective bargaining agreement and the lack of a naming-rights deal for the new stadium. Well, the naming rights came a year later (MetLife reportedly is paying $17 million to $20 million a year), as did a new CBA. With those two issues resolved, it'll be interesting to see how the Jets handle the Revis situation.

4. Tim-bucks. File this under "better late than never," but here are some numbers on Tim Tebow's contract (inherited from the Broncos): In 2012, he will make $1.1 million in base pay, plus a $472,500 roster bonus, due on the second day of training camp. His cap number is $2.572 million, which includes a $1 million payment to the Broncos to satisfy the agreement the two teams made with regard to salary advances. In 2013, he will make $1.055 million in base salary, but his cap figure will be $2.586 million because of a $1.531 million payment due the Broncos. In 2014, his cap charge drops to $895,000, his base salary.

5. Tim-sanity. Those were eye-opening comments by Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas, who questioned Tebow's passing skill and said "some players" were bothered by all the attention lavished upon Tebow. You can bet Jets players will be paying close attention to Tebow and how he handles everything. He certainly hasn't been publicity shy since the trade; did you catch his sitdown on "Good Morning America"? I wonder how Bill Parcells would coach Tebow. Remember, Parcells is famous for saying he dislikes celebrity QBs. I assume that goes for celebrity backup QBs as well.

6. The '03 debacle. Not happy with the Jets' offseason? Relax, it could be worse. It could be 2003. That was a comedy of errors, culminating with one of the worst drafts in team history. It started when they lost WR Laveranues Coles to the Redskins. They received a first-round pick as compensation, but when they found out DT Josh Evans was facing a drug suspension, they panicked. They used the pick, and their own first-rounder, to trade up for DT Dewayne Robertson (No. 4 overall), who had a chronic knee condition. He was a bust; his career lasted only six years.

In fact, all seven players from the '03 draft are out of the league. The Titans and Bucs are the only other teams whose '03 drafts are wiped out -- and the Bucs didn't have a first-rounder. In case you're wondering, the Jets' top three picks that year were Robertson, LB Victor Hobson and FB B.J. Askew. Ah, nostalgia.

7. Irish eyes. I know Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd is one of the hot names in the draft, but I don't think the Jets would take him at 16. Nor should they. There's too much quality depth at receiver to take one that high. Plus, I'm not sold on Floyd. At 16, the Jets are looking at Alabama S Mark Barron, Alabama OLB Courtney Upshaw and Syracuse OLB Chandler Jones, whose stock is rising.

8. Class act. Phillip Wilson, a Colts beat writer for the Indianapolis Star, tweeted the other day that he received an unexpected phone call from Peyton Manning. The former Colts QB called to thank Wilson for years of coverage. That rarely happens in this business, folks, and it says a lot about Manning.

9. A good turn. Agents sometimes get a bad rap; they're not all shadowy characters. Example: Priority Sports, a Chicago-based firm, held a symposium for its clients last week that was designed to educate them on real-life matters -- everything from money management to divorce to nutrition. Jets G Brandon Moore was one of 45 attendees. The speakers included former MSG exec Steve Mills and several other CEOs from large companies. It's a great idea; maybe they should've invited Warren Sapp.

10. Miami's heat. I think one of the most compelling teams in the draft is the Dolphins, who still haven't found their quarterback. They flirted with a couple of free agents and, somehow, ended up with David Garrard. Now, picking eighth, there's pressure to land Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill, who could go as high as fourth. Do they make the move for Tannehill, satisfying a restless fan base, or do they stand pat and risk losing him? It should be great theater.

Sunday notes, thoughts and observations -- a total of 15, in honor of you-know-who's number:

1. The world waits for Mark Sanchez to comment on his new teammate, Tim Tebow. If he wants to be the leader of the Jets, Sanchez needs to say something -- anything. He can't wait two months, the amount of time that elapsed before he fired back at the unnamed teammates that ripped him after the season. He needs to be decisive. From what I'm told, Sanchez was stunned by the Tebow trade, coming so soon after the contract extension. He never saw it coming. Not many did, but now it's time to take control of the situation.

2. Sanchez, who took a physical beating last season, is taking a different approach to training in the offseason. His California-based trainer wants him to add muscle to help protect him from the wear and tear. As a result, Sanchez is up to 230, five pounds heavier than last season's playing weight.

3. The Jets are taking a lot of heat for the trade, but how about the Broncos? Tebow was their only viable backup. All they have now is a 36-year-old quarterback coming off four neck surgeries and former Bears backup Caleb Hanie, whom they signed Saturday. He proved last season he can't play. Not too smart for the Broncos. Why was John Elway in such a rush to get Tebow out of town? Said one former GM: "Who gives up a (former) first-round pick that just took your team to the playoffs? They should be at a podium, with a cigarette in their mouth, explaining that one." It was the first time in history that a QB, in his first or second year, won a playoff start and changed teams that offseason, according to Elias.

4. I spoke to Eagles WR Riley Cooper, Tebow's old college roommate, and asked (half-jokingly) to give me some dirt on his close friend. "Everybody always asks for dirt on him," Cooper said. "Tim Tebow is the closest thing to perfect as I've ever been around. The only thing I can think of is that he didn't clean up his dishes. He left dishes and cereal bowls all around our living room. That's all I've got for you."

5. Don't be surprised if Tebow has a small role on special teams. Coach Mike Westhoff probably already is scheming up ways to utilize Tebow's versatility. Coach-turned-analyst Eric Mangini said he expects to see Tebow on teams, saying: "When you look at Mike Westhoff and what he did with Brad Smith as a personal protector, I think that’s an excellent role because there’s always the threat of a fake, and it’s going to change the dynamic on that team. That’s the quarterback of the punt team."

6. So here's the short version of the Jets' offseason: They've added two backups (Tebow and WR Chaz Schilens) and a starting safety (LaRon Landry) with durability concerns.

7. I don't have an issue with the Jets wanting to use a wildcat package, but they didn't have to make a trade to find a guy to run it. They have three capable players on the roster -- Jeremy Kerley, Shonn Greene and Joe McKnight.

8. The Jets also acquired Tebow to help in the red zone and in short-yardage situations. But get this: The Jets led the league in red-zone efficiency and, over the final 11 weeks, they produced the second-best success rate (80 percent) in short-yardage.

9. Now we know why Antonio Cromartie is a good cornerback -- he can backpedal with the best of them.

10. Let's do some number crunching: The Jets had to cough up $2.5 million to close the Tebow deal and they ate a $500,000 signing bonus with Drew Stanton, who lasted a week on the roster. With that $3 million, they could've made a strong play for free-agent WR Mario Manningham, who received $3.55 million in total first-year compensation from the 49ers. He would've filled a huge need.

11. That said, the Jets did right by Stanton, trading him to the Colts after Tebow-ing him.

12. The Jets signed Landry, he of the Achilles-tendon troubles, to a favorable contract that provides protection in the event of an injury. It's a one-year, $3.5 million deal. He received a $950,000 signing bonus, a $700,000 base salary and $1.75 million in roster bonuses, according to The Star-Ledger of Newark. The roster bonus is paid out on a game-by-game basis. In other words, every time he plays a game, he receives a $109,000 bonus.

13. Landry's attendance in the off-season program bears watching. When he played for the Redskins, he "never showed up," according to former Washington GM Vinny Cerrato. "He only showed up for the mandatory stuff. He wouldn't return any calls." Landry has incentive to show up -- a $100,000 workout bonus.

14. The Dolphins didn't get Manning or Matt Flynn or Alex Smith, so you have to think they really like Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Here's the problem: The Dolphins own the eighth pick; they'd better hope the Browns don't take him at 4. Otherwise, it's Matt Moore vs. David Garrard in camp. Yawn.

15. Arrogance could ruin the Saints. A couple of years ago, they were the NFL's darlings, but they let it go to their head. Sean Payton, thinking he was above everybody, defied Roger Goodell and allowed to the team's bountry program to continue. Payton got his, a one-year suspension. Now the Saints are playing negotiating games with Drew Brees, the face of the franchise. They used to be easy to root for, but not anymore.

Notes, thoughts and observations on the Jets and the NFL:

1. If the Jets sign a veteran safety in free agency -- Reggie Nelson? -- it will give them more flexibility in the draft. The No. 1 item on their wish list is pass rusher. Rex Ryan has told friends he absolutely wants to add a blue-chip rusher to his defense, sources said. They really like Courtney Upshaw (Alabama), Melvin Ingram (South Carolina) and Andre Branch (Clemson). This is a must-get for the Jets, who have ignored the pass rush for too long.

2. The Jets have seven draft picks, one in each round, according to the team. There's also a chance they could receive a compensatory pick for free-agent losses in 2011.

3. The team continues to shop LB Bart Scott in trade talks, source said, but his $4.2 million guaranteed salary is a deal breaker. Scott's days with the team appear numbered. If they dump Scott, you have to wonder if ILB Luke Kuechly (Boston College) becomes a consideration with the 16th pick.

4. Drew Stanton, the Jets' new backup QB, already has won a game for the Jets. In Week 9 of the 2010 season, he replaced an injured Matthew Stafford with about six minutes to go, with the Lions leading, 20-10. Coming out of the two-minute warning, Stanton ran a third-down bootleg, but instead of simply falling down and taking the sack, he threw an ill-advised incompletion to stop the clock. His brain cramp saved the Jets, who had no timeouts remaining, from certain defeat -- and they rallied to win in OT. Maybe the Jets felt like they owed him one.

5. Loved Ralph Wilson's comments to the Buffalo News the other day on the signing of stud DE Mario Williams. "I'd like to see us make the playoffs and possibly the Super Bowl while I'm around," Wilson, 93, told the newspaper. "I don't expect to be around that many years ... I don't give a darn about the money. I can't take it with me." It reminded me of Leon Hess's famous news conference in 1995, when he pronounced, "I'm 80 years old and I want results now." For the Bills' sake, they'd better hope it works out better than the Hess declaration. That news conference was to introduced Rich Kotite and ... well, you know the rest.

6. Speaking of Williams, the Bills said they will use him at left end. That could be a problem for the Jets, considering their issues at right tackle. Wayne Hunter remains on the roster, but I'm told Vladimir Ducasse will get every opportunity to win the starting job.

7. Woody Johnson took some grief (at least in the twitter-sphere) for saying in a TV interview that the Jets "passed on" Peyton Manning. It probably wasn't the best choice of words, but he was right. As I wrote at the start of the Peyton sweepstakes, the Jets formulated their entire off-season blueprint around Mark Sanchez and would've tossed it only if Manning threw himself at the Jets -- and that was NEVER going to happen.

8. The Jets must feel confident in Bryan Thomas's Achilles-tendon rehab because they guaranteed about $600,000 on his one-year contract. He's only five months removed from surgery, but he still has four months to training camp. This signing sends a positive message to the locker room, a departure from last year when they dumped elder statesman-type leaders -- i.e. Shaun Ellis, Damien Woody, et al.

9. Hey, Peyton, decide already. This is getting old.

10. Nice signing by the Patriots, picking up WR Brandon Lloyd. He's the outside threat that Tom Brady has lacked. Adios, Ochocinco.

Who needs Peyton Manning when we've got Mark Sanchez?

That, essentially, was how Jets owner Woody Johnson put it, explaining the recent flirtation with Manning and decision to extend Sanchez's contract.

"We passed on him," Johnson said of Manning, commenting during an interview Tuesday night on the Fox Business Network. "We’re signed up with our quarterback. Sanchez is not leaving. We’ve got a pretty good tether, we’ve got five years. We like Mark."

The Jets inquired about Manning, Johnson acknowledged, adding: "Our fans expect us to look at every opportunity. We looked at the body of work of Mark Sanchez and wanted to put our faith in him. We have a new offensive coordinator, Tony Sparano, who loves Mark and the team he has around him."

Johnson also said of Sanchez, "Mark is a very confident guy, but not confident to a fault. I think he’s going to be an excellent leader. I think we’ll see a so-called growth spurt this year. I think he’ll be very good with Tony’s offense."

Sunday notes, thoughts and observations on the Jets and the rest of the NFL:

1. Now that the Jets have some cap room to be serious players in free agency, I expect them to show interest in S LaRon Landry. They need a safety and Landry probably is the best one in a market watered down by three franchise tags. The Redskins' former first-round pick (sixth overall in 2007) is coming off two injury-plagued seasons, so maybe his asking price won't be crazy. He's a beast as an in-the-box safety, but there are questions about his coverage ability -- and that's where the Jets need help.

2. Quarterback-turned-analyst Chad Pennington is worth a listen because he makes a lot of sense. The other day, I asked him if the Jets should chase Peyton Manning. His response:

"I don’t think so. I don't think he's the right fit for New York. Both New York teams have their quarterback. For crying out loud, over the next three years, if you knew (Mark Sanchez) would take you to two AFC championship games and an 8-8 record ... come on, now. You'd take that. He's been one or two plays away from the big dance. He's right where he needs to be.

"The key is stability at quarterback, and stability around the quarterback. Look at (Tom) Brady and (Eli) Manning, (Drew) Brees and (Aaron) Rodgers. What's the key? Stability, that's the key."

3. Peyton Manning now has blown off the Jets twice. The first time occurred in 1997, when the Jets owned the No. 1 pick in the draft. He could've been the first Manning in New York, seven years ahead of his brother, but he wanted no part of the Jets and opted to stay in school. I'd say it worked out for him.

4. The folks in the Florham Park bunker are Bronco and Cardinal fans this week. They do not want Manning with the Dolphins in the AFC East. My prediction: He chooses 'Zona.

5. Now that Sanchez has his contract extension, what other players are coming up soon? Players with one year remaining on their current deal: TE Dustin Keller, RB Shonn Greene, RG Brandon Moore, LG Matt Slauson and DT Mike DeVito. Players with two years remaining: CB Darrelle Revis, LB Calvin Pace, RB/KR Joe McKnight and FB John Conner.

6. When Rex Ryan shows up on a college campus for a pro day, it's news. Reporters seek him out, prospects seek him out. The other day at Clemson, former Clemson QB Willy Korn made sure to tap Ryan on the shoulder and introduce himself. "Of course he didn't know who I was, but maybe he'll remember my face," Korn told the Charlotte Observer. For the record, he's a draft-eligible QB from Division II North Greenville (S.C.).

7. Nothing new on the Bart Scott situation. He's had several conversations with Ryan, according to a source, but they've yet to come to any sort of resolution. I can imagine the conversation. Bart: I want to play more. Rex: No, and we want you to take a pay cut. Bart: No way. End of conversation. I still think there's a good chance he's not back with the team.

8. The Redskins gave up three No. 1 picks and a No. 2 pick to move up four spots to draft their new quarterback, presumably Robert Griffin III. Mike Shanahan is a desperate man, having won only one playoff game since John Elway retired after the 1998 season. And now we know why Jeff Fisher picked the Rams over the Dolphins.

9. Peyton's classy farewell press conference in Indianapolis was a rarity in professional sports. How many guys show up to talk about their own firing? Got me to thinking about firings in Jets history. Of all the coaches I've covered, Joe Walton is the only one who agreed to a press conference after his ouster. Rich Kotite also had a presser, but it came before his final game. Of the quarterback firings, the classiest came from Pennington, who spoke via conference call the day after getting unceremoniously dumped in favor of Brett Favre.

10. Hearing positive reports on WR Michael Floyd (Notre Dame). Maybe the Jets should consider him at 16, because their passing game needs a jolt. Consider: Sanchez averaged only 6.5 yards per attempt last season to his wideouts, which ranked 32nd in the league, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

They were a long shot from the outset, and now it appears the New York Jets have faded away in the Peyton Manning sweepstakes.

The free-agent quarterback began to take recruiting trips Friday, with his first stop in Denver to meet with the Broncos, according to reports. Manning also is expected to visit with the Arizona Cardinals, ESPN reported, with a possible stop at the Kansas City Chiefs.

Publicly, the Manning camp hasn't provided a list of finalists, but the Cards, Broncos and Miami Dolphins are thought to be the top three, according to an official from one of the three teams.

The Jets? If they're still in the hunt, they're taking a stealth approach.

"There's been no mention of the Jets anywhere," the official said. "I think they're out."

The Jets declined to comment. They haven't spoken publicly about Manning since he was released Wednesday by the Indianapolis Colts.

With Manning seemingly out of the picture, the Jets will take a more realistic approach to upgrading the quarterback position. They're expected to pursue former Dolphins starter Chad Henne as soon as the free-agent bell rings Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Ostensibly, the Jets see Henne as a backup to Mark Sanchez, a three-year starter. Henne already knows the offense because he played under new coordinator Tony Sparano in Miami.

Throughout the offseason, coach Rex Ryan has said repeatedly he expects Sanchez to be the starter, but he fueled the Manning speculation by refusing to rule out a potential run at the future Hall of Famer.

Sanchez hasn't commented -- he hasn't spoken with reporters since the end of the season -- but there's concern within the organization that his confidence and stature in the locker room could be damaged by the Manning flirtation.

The Jets were one of 12 teams to reach out to Manning's representatives, sources said. It was a "cursory" phone call to gauge Manning's interest in them, one source said. Evidently, there wasn't much.

Manning could always change his mind, but you'd think a person as meticulous as he is would at least want to meet with a team if he considered it a possible landing spot. The window is closing because teams are pushing Manning for a decision by Tuesday, the start of free agency. ESPN reported Thursday that Manning expected to have a new home within a week.

The Jets had a lot to overcome, including cold weather, a tight salary-cap situation and a dysfunctional locker room. Legendary Jets quarterback Joe Namath slammed his old team, calling it an undesirable location for a player of Manning's stature.

"The Jets have to get things together on their own turf before someone with his background would be interested in coming," Namath said Thursday.

Joe Namath doesn't think his old team has a realistic chance of signing Peyton Manning. Is it the money? The climate? The offensive scheme? No, Namath suggested the Jets are too dysfunctional to attract a player like Manning -- another biting opinion from the iconic player who isn't shy about dogging his beloved team.

"The Jets have to get things together on their own turf before someone with his background would be interested in coming,” Namath told Bloomberg News in a telephone interview from his Florida home.

It's funny. Former Dolphins great Dan Marino, whose former team is considered one of the frontrunners to land Manning, has been praising Manning to reporters in South Florida, fueling speculation that he's trying to recruit him. Marino even tweeted the free-agent QB, congratulating him on his wonderful run in Indianapolis.

What do the Jets get from Namath? A "Beware" sign.

It doesn't appear that newly-minted free agent Peyton Manning will drag out his decision. Manning hopes to make a choice within the next week, ESPN Insider Adam Schefter is reporting.

The timetable is important to a team like the Jets, one of 12 teams to contact Manning's representatives, according to Schefter's report. The reason is because free agency begins at 4 p.m. Tuesday, and the Jets would like to have clarity by then because they will be shopping for a quarterback in the free-agent market.

Assuming they don't get Manning, the Jets would like to acquire a No. 2 quarterback and they have interest in former Dolphins starter Chad Henne, sources said. They also could consider Jason Campbell (Raiders), although that seems less likely at this point.

Despite an up-and-down career, Henne will draw interest from teams not in the Manning sweepstakes and it would put the Jets at a disadvantage if they're waiting on a decision from Manning. Actually, they'd be paralyzed in terms of their overall free-agent plan, as would every other team chasing after Peyton, who will command a blockbuster contract.

The Jets have $8.3 million in salary-cap room, with holes to fill at safety, outside linebacker, wide receiver and, possibly, inside linebacker.

Manning prefers to sign with an AFC team, although he hasn't ruled out the NFC, per Schefter's report. (The reason, of course, is that he'd like to avoid direct competition with his brother, Eli.) The four AFC teams in the hunt, all of whom have contact Manning's reps, are the Jets, Dolphins, Broncos and Chiefs. The NFC teams are the Redskins, Cards and Seahawks.

If nothing else, it makes for great debate: Should the Jets pursue Peyton Manning?

Here's a look at some of the positives and negatives, many of which the team's brass are considering as they mull the Manning situation:

POSITIVES

1. He's Peyton Freakin' Manning. He'd immediately become the most accomplished player ever to wear a Jets uniform, apologies to Joe Namath.

2. He would elevate the play of those around him, particularly the offensive line and wide receivers -- and those units could use a jolt after last season's struggles. Manning's pocket presence and quick release make him tough to sack and his accuracy would enable the receivers -- Santonio Holmes, in particular -- to catch the ball in stride and make yards after the catch, a dimension sorely lacking last season.

3. He might be the smartest quarterback ever. His ability to read defenses and orchestrate at the line of scrimmage would put tremendous pressure on defenses, opening up so many possibilities. He'd immediately clean up the game-management issues that flared up last season.

4. His ability to see the entire field allows him exploit coverage-based schemes. In other words, he can strike for big plays against defenses designed to stop big plays. Since 2008, Manning has thrown 70 touchdowns and only 37 interceptions when facing four or fewer pass rushers, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Mark Sanchez's numbers: 28 touchdowns, 36 interceptions.

5. He would force opponents to defend the entire field. Since 2008, 49 quarterbacks have attempted at least 200 passes outside the field numbers. Sanchez has completed just over 50 percent on such throws, ranking 45th. Manning's mark was just over 61 percent, eighth-best over that time, per ESPN Stats.

6. His presence would open up the running game. The Jets would see fewer eight-man fronts, easing the burden on the line and creating lanes for RB Shonn Greene.

7. Manning would be air freshener in the locker room, meaning he'd command instant respect from teammates and would do wonders for the chemistry issues. You think Holmes would blow off one of Manning's quarterback-receiver meetings? No way.

NEGATIVES

1. His health is a major question. This is a surgically repaired neck we're talking about, not a routine knee reconstruction.

2. He turns 36 later this month, an age when even the best start to decline. Only three quarterbacks in the 36-plus age group have won a Super Bowl -- Johnny Unitas (37), Jim Plunkett (36) and John Elway (37, 38).

3. He missed the entire 2011 season. Can you say "significant rust build-up"?

4. His play has declined in recent years. Since his signature season in 2004, when his passer rating was an astounding 121, his ratings have gone from 104 to 101 to 98 to 95 to 100 to 92. In 2010, he had 17 interceptions, one shy of Sanchez's 2011 total. While Manning's recent numbers still are very good, they're not what they used to be.

5. The cost would restrict the Jets' ability to plug other holes. Sure, the Jets could find the cap room to sign Manning -- they'd get $9 million in cap relief by unloading Sanchez -- but they'd probably have to settle for second-tier players to fill needs at safety, outside linebacker, wide receiver, etc.

6. Manning doesn't fit Tony Sparano's run-oriented offense. They'd have to scrap Sparano's system -- and they just hired the guy -- or try to teach an old quarterback new tricks. Chances are, they'd change to suit him, not vice versa.

7. Right now, the Jets don't have the personnel to suit Manning's style. He has played his entire career in a three-wide receiver, one-tight end, one-back offense. The Jets have only one receiver with a proven track record -- Holmes. They struggled last season in three-receiver sets.

8. Manning doesn't like cold weather. His winning percentage outdoors is .649, but it drops each month, according to the Elias Sports Bureau -- .700 in September, .680 in October, .655 in November and .565 in December/January (13-10, including 0-3 in January). And now he has a neck issue to consider.

9. Sanchez will be only 26 and he's still learning. Remember, he had only 16 college starts at USC. Counting his pro experience, he has only 69 lifetime starts. That's not much when considering that some quarterbacks enter the league nowadays with 50 college starts.

10. Despite his ups and downs from last season, Sanchez has proven he can win. His career record is 27-20, plus 4-2 in the playoffs. He threw 26 touchdowns last season, maybe the best "bad" season in recent history.

11. Abandoning Sanchez at the first sign of trouble would be a damning self-indictment. For three years, Rex Ryan and GM Mike Tannenbaum built everything around Sanchez, and to change course would show a lack of confidence in their franchise player and their own ability to develop that player.

After his emotional news conference in Indianapolis, Peyton Manning flew to his home in the Miami area on Jim Irsay's private jet. According to various reports, Manning was chased by reporters on his drive from Opa-Locka to Miami Beach. It must have been a surreal scene, including a news chopper hovering in the sky.

Instead of ditching the reporters, Manning was gracious and stopped to answer a few questions. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald included some of the quotes on his blog.

"I have no idea who wants me what team wants me," Manning said. "I literally have not had one conversation with anyone about these teams. It's been so hard to try to figure out some closure with my situation with the Colts that I haven't really concerned myself with that."

As you probably know, Manning became a free agent when his name appeared on the waiver wire at 4 p.m. I find it hard to believe that he hasn't thought about his future in the NFL, but that was his story and he was sticking to it.

"I don't know if it's like college recruiting where you take visits," Manning said. "It's all new to me."

The Dolphins are widely regarded as one of the favorites to land the four-time league MVP. The Jets, too, are in the mix, as are the Seahawks. The Cards and Redskins also are potential suitors.

A month ago, former Jets great Curtis Martin said his old team should pursue Peyton Manning if he became available. Current running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who will join Martin in the Hall of Fame one day, feels the same way. And he believes Manning would thrive with the Jets.

"I do know one thing: This is a good fit for him," Tomlinson told the NFL Network Wednesday. "The Jets already have a very good offensive line, a good receiving corps – obviously headed by Santonio Holmes, Dustin Keller at tight end. This is a team that, offensively, they run the ball really well. This is a team that if they get Peyton Manning, that division it could be scary."

The Jets are interested in Manning, who was released Wednesday by the Colts, and they will explore the possibility of signing him, sources said. They want to gauge Manning's interest in them, his contract demands and the health of his surgically repaired neck.

If there's mutual interest -- and that's a big if -- the Jets will strongly consider an aggressive play for Manning, sources said. But there are potential issues (salary-cap restrictions, cold weather, etc.) that could put the Jets at a disadvantage in the Peyton Sweepstakes, and there's still a lot of support for Mark Sanchez in the organization.

One league source suggested the Jets' objective is to keep Manning away from the Dolphins and out of the division.

Tomlinson speculated that Manning would be a popular move among Jets players.

"The players want to win – that’s the first thing," he said. "As players, we always want the guy that is going to give us the best opportunity to win. With Peyton Manning, his track record says it all. He’s won a Super Bowl, been to two, a four-time MVP. His resume tells you right now that this guy is going to be able to come in and we’re going to win. When you’re up against that as players, it’s hard to not say you want a guy like Peyton Manning. He’s one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time."

Tomlinson said he doesn't think Sanchez would handle it well, but that probably would be moot because he'd be gone. With Sanchez counting $14.3 million on the cap, including $8.5 million in non-guaranteed base salary, there's virtually no way they could keep both quarterbacks.

"I think he would probably go in and maybe ask to be released," he said, "because here is Mark Sanchez’s gripe: ‘I took you guys to two straight AFC Championship Games; yeah I didn’t get it done last year, but my first and second year I took you to two AFC Championship Games. How can you turn around and just bring in another quarterback right now?’ Rightfully so, he would be a little mad."

A choked-up Peyton Manning said goodbye to Indianapolis on Wednesday in a news conference-turned-lovefest, but the aging gunslinger also made it clear he has no intention of calling it quits.

Attention, Jets fans: This is the part you need to read closely.

Manning, perhaps sending a message to potential suitors, said his surgically repaired neck won't stop him from playing in 2012. He painted an optimistic picture of his progress, sounding committed to being the Peyton of old.

"I don't want to retire," said Manning, whose release from the Colts became official. "No, I don't feel like I have anything to prove, but nobody loves their job more than I do. Nobody loves playing quarterback more than I do. I still want to play."

Manning said "I haven't thought about where I'll play," but he's expected to draw interest from the Dolphins, Cards, Redskins, Seahawks and, yes, the Jets. ESPNNewYork.com reported last week that the Jets were planning to explore the situation, gauging Manning's interest level.

Listening to Manning, it sounds like he's going to take a methodical approach to picking his new team.

"I don't know what these next steps are," he said, his voice quivering throughout much of the news conference. "This is all kind of new to me. This is the only team I've ever known. I've always known what the month of March is, the offseason, getting ready for play for the Colts next season. This is uncharted territory for me. So we’ll see how that all plays out."

There have been conflicting reports about the condition of his neck and possible nerve damage in his throwing arm, but he looked fine in a video posted last week on YouTube -- albeit only four throws in a 27-second video clip of his throwing with teammates at Duke.

"I still have some progress to make, but I've come a long way," he said. "I've really worked hard. I can't tell you the hours and time I've put in to working hard. I really enjoy being back out there. I've had a chance to throw with some of my old teammates … That's been the most fun part, being back out there on the field ... I'm doing better and will continue to work hard and, hopefully, continue to make progress."

Manning said he has to remind himself that it's still March, nearly five months until training camp -- meaning he knows he has to pace himself. But he added, "It sure feels comfortable and feels kind of like home, being back out there."

Let the Peyton sweepstakes begin.

The Jets' commitment to Mark Sanchez is about to be tested, with Peyton Manning on the verge of hitting the open market.

Manning will be released Wednesday by the Indianapolis Colts, ESPN reported Tuesday, meaning one of the greatest quarterbacks in history soon will be an unrestricted free agent. As ESPNNewYork.com reported last week, the Jets intend to explore the Manning situation, primarily to check on his surgically repaired neck and contract demands.

Publicly, the Jets have professed their faith in Sanchez, but they also haven't shut the door on Manning, fueling speculation about potential interest in the four-time league MVP.

Sources say the Jets' 2012 blueprint is built around Sanchez and, until recently, they hadn't even plotted a salary-cap contingency for Manning. It would take a dramatic organizational shift to abandon Sanchez, sources said, but the Jets have been known to make impulsive decisions. (See Brett Favre, 2008.)

Coach Rex Ryan rebuilt his coaching staff with Sanchez in mind, hiring a run-oriented offensive coordinator in Tony Sparano and retaining quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh -- Sanchez’s first and only position coach in the NFL. If they somehow landed Manning, they basically have to throw the playbook into the garbage and adapt to Manning’s style.

They did that for Favre in 2008, coming off a 4-12 season under Eric Mangini. The current Jets aren’t that desperate -- 8-8 after two straight trips to the AFC Championship Game -- and, despite Sanchez’s struggles late last season, they believe he’s an “ascending player,” as Ryan called him recently. The Jets have invested $30 million in Sanchez over three years.

But Ryan also believes Manning is the best quarterback in the league, as he has said many times over the last three years, and he’s not about to miss an opportunity to inquire about the former Super Bowl champion.

“It’s really important that we always try to improve the team,” GM Mike Tannenbaum said last week. “With that said, I expect Mark Sanchez to be our quarterback next year, but when we have opportunities to improve our team, that’s what we’re going to do.”

Financially, it would be almost impossible to have Manning and Sanchez, who is counting $14.3 million on the salary cap. The Jets have only about $7 million in cap room, but they can create another $9 million by unloading Sanchez, who has two years left on his rookie contract.

None of Sanchez’s 2012 salary is guaranteed. The unofficial deadline to make a QB decision is March 28, when Sanchez is due a $2.75 million roster bonus.

Manning, who sat out the 2011 season, has been working out and intends to play in 2012. He conducted throwing sessions last week at Duke, where he was observed by former Jets consultant Tom Moore, ESPN reported. He was Manning’s longtime coordinator in Indianapolis before retiring and joining the Jets last season in an advisory role. Moore no longer works for the Jets, which allowed him to attend the workouts, but he probably could give them an unofficial scouting report on Manning’s progress.

Because of health questions and age (he turns 36 later this month), Manning carries risk. But after its first non-playoff season in three years, the Ryan-Tannenbaum administration may feel pressure to win in 2012, perhaps giving them reason to make a play for Manning.

The Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks also could be in the Manning sweepstakes.

Sunday notes, thoughts and observations on the Jets and the NFL:

1. BountyGate has conjured up memories of the "Bounty Bowl" from 1989, when Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson accused Eagles coach Buddy Ryan of putting a bounty on QB Troy Aikman and PK Luis Zendejas before a 27-0 Eagles win. Because that involved his father, Rex Ryan's name has come up in this latest scandal involving the Saints. "This is something that is being handled by the NFL office," Ryan said in a statement Saturday through the team. "I’ve never condoned it and I’ve never coached it."

2. BountyGate is worse than SpyGate, and the principles should be punished accordingly. Former Saints D.C. Gregg Williams, the ring leader, should be suspended for the season; the Saints should be docked a third-round draft pick in 2012 (they don't have a first-rounder) and their 2013 first-round pick; Saints coach Sean Payton, GM Mickey Loomis and the Saints should be fined $500,000 apiece. Just one man's opinion. By the way, Williams got his start in the NFL with Buddy Ryan, back with the Oilers in the 1990s.

3. The sinning Saints make Sal Alosi seem like just an unruly kid at recess.

4. There is, of course, a hypocritical aspect to the entire notion of paying players to injure opponents. Let's face it, the league glorifies violence. Commissioner Roger Goodell has done a lot to improve player safety, but the "kill shot" element remains. Don't think so? Check out any official game summary and stats. Under the defensive stats, there's a category for "QB hits."

5. Early draft prediction: If Alabama RB Trent Richardson slips to 16, the Jets will take him. Bet on it.

6. The Jets are hoping LB Bart Scott restructures his contract to facilitate a trade. Why would a player with a $4.2 million guarantee agree to re-work his deal? Well, it wouldn't be unprecedented. Randy Moss left money on the table when he was traded to the Patriots in 2007, restructuring the deal he had with the Raiders. The Jets want to resolve the matter before April 16, the start of the off-season program. That's because Scott has a $250,000 workout bonus.

7. In a radio interview the other day, GM Mike Tannenbaum mentioned in passing that assistant GM Scott Cohen "stood on the table" last season for pass rusher Aaron Maybin, lobbying the team to sign the former Bills bust. It turned out to be a terrific move. Guys like Cohen, who work behind the scenes and don't garner any headlines, deserve their share of the props. More often than not, they do the grunt work.

8. The Jets have discussed the possibility of pursuing free-agent QB Jason Campbell (Raiders). He led the Raiders to a 4-2 start last season before suffering a season-ending collarbone injury. One of Ryan's new coaches is very familiar with Campbell -- former Raiders WRs coach Sanjay Lal. New O.C. Tony Sparano is planning to incorporate some Raiders concepts into his playbook. One potential issue: The feeling is that Campbell needs practice reps to be effective, and there's concern he wouldn't do well in a No. 2 role because of the paucity of reps.

9. So now a You Tube video of Peyton Manning has surfaced, showing him throwing to receivers during a workout at Duke. Sorry, but four passes doesn't convince me his arm/neck is as good as new.

10. As you may have read Friday night, Mark Sanchez recently spent time in South Florida with ex-Jets QB Chad Pennington, trying to learn the Sparano offense before the start of the off-season program. It's too bad Pennington appears done with football because he'd be the ideal backup. The Jets should invite him to training camp to help out the QBs; he'd be a great -- assuming he's over any hard feelings from his unceremonious release in '08.

Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, addressing the Bart Scott situation for the first time, made it clear Tuesday that the veteran linebacker's future with the team is very much up in the air.

Tannenbaum, commenting on his recent meeting with Scott's agent at the NFL scouting combine, said they "cleared the air on a lot of things." But he wouldn't guarantee that Scott will return in 2012, saying that discussions will continue.

"We'll see what happens over the next couple of weeks," Tannenbaum said on "The Michael Kay Show" on ESPN New York 1050, adding, "All options are on the table."

The Jets haven't given Scott permission to seek a trade, but they are shopping him, according to a league source. They're in a tough spot because Scott's $4.2 million salary is guaranteed, making it tough to deal the 31-year-old linebacker, but they're still looking for a taker, hoping Scott restructures his contract to facilitate a trade.

Scott was "extremely frustrated" by his diminished role last season, his agent, Harold Lewis, told ESPNNewYork.com Monday. Lewis said Scott's "ultimate goal" is to remain with the Jets, but he admitted the two sides discussed the possibility of a trade at the combine meeting.

The trading period begins March 13.

Tannenbaum addressed other subjects, including:

• Peyton Manning. Reiterating what he said last week at the combine, Tannenbaum did nothing to dispel potential interest in Manning.

"It's really important that we always try to improve the team," he said. "With that said, I expect Mark Sanchez to be our quarterback next year. But when we have opportunities to improve our team, that's what we're going to do."

• Plaxico Burress. On Tuesday, the free-agent WR told a Philadelphia radio station that he wants to sign with the Eagles. Tannenbaum all but said, "Go right ahead."

"He's exploring his options; that's what we want our players to do this time of year, like we're doing for ourselves," he said.

• Greg McElroy. Tannenbaum said "we weren't happy with those comments," referring to the QB's description of the "corrupt mindset" in the locker room, but the GM said McElroy will be on the team.

• A backup for Sanchez. Tannenbaum continued to talk out of both sides of his mouth on this subject. He said they don't need to bring in a No. 2 to push Sanchez -- "Mark wants to be great because that's who he is" -- but he also said he expects the QB depth chart to have a different look by September.