'Oh, Peyton Manning, the places you'll go!' and more advice from Dr. Seuss

Good morning, Broncos Country!

Peyton Manning could potentially give some insight today on his plans for the future, depending on whether he chooses to be available for his annual team physical.

Or he may not.

The Broncos may cut him before Tuesday.

Or they may not.

Manning may play with another team in 2016.

Or he may not.

It's all so up-in-the-air and ridiculous, I have decided to help Manning determine his best course of action.

I firmly believe - as I stated earlier this week - that this is undoubtedly and rightfully a tough decision from Manning's perspective. He loves football. He loves being part of a team. He loves competing. While coaching or becoming a GM hold some level of all of these, nothing beats playing. So unlike too many Broncos fans, I don't blame him for delaying.

All the same, Manning might need some nudging, so I think one of my favorite philosophers and go-to advisors for all big decisions could also be of some help to No. 18.

Dr. Seuss, of course.

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.

— Dr. Seuss (@TheDrSeussQuote) May 19, 2015

And I believe I have found the perfect Seuss book to help our QB - the last published work from Dr. Seuss,  "Oh the places you'll go!"

Enjoy my adaptation, and take nothing too serious from it :) We will all know how this actually works out soon enough.

CONGRATULATIONS, PEYTON!

Soon it's your day.

To be off to Great Places.

To be off and away!

You have brains in your head.

You have (sore?) feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

You're on your own. And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down rosters. Look 'em over with care.

About some you will say, "No way in hell I'll play there."

With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,

you're too smart (right?!?) to go down any not-so-good street.

And of course you won't find any you'd want to be sent.

In that case, of course, you'll just choose retirement.

It's opener there in the wide-open air.

Out there things can happen - and frequently do

to people as brainy and footsy (or not) as you.

And then things start to happen.

Don't worry. Don't stew.

Just go right along.

You'll start happening too.

OH PEYTON,

THE NEW THINGS YOU COULD DO!

You could be on your way up.

Seeing great sights.

You could join the high fliers who soar to high heights.

You won't lag behind, because you'll have the smarts.

You'll pass the whole gang and sail up the charts.

Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best.

Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except if you don't.

Because, maybe, you won't?

I'm sorry to say so, but, sadly, it's true.

That Bang-ups and Hang-ups will happen to you.

If you continue to play,

you'll find a prickle-ly perch.

With coaches and owners moving on with their search.

You may discover that you have hit quite a bump.

And chances are, then, that you'll be in a slump.

And when you're in a slump, you're not in for much fun.

Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the game plan's not marked.

Some plays are lighted. But mostly they're darked.

A place you could sprain both your knee and your shin!

Do you dare to bow out? Do you dare to stay in?

How much can you lose...how much can you win?

And IF you stay in, should you throw left or right...

or throw it deep to the end zone? Or, maybe, not quite?

Bootleg to the left? Or let the RB sneak in from behind?

Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find, for a seasoned NFL-er to make up his mind.

You can get so confused and think it's a race.

Grinding through another season just for records to chase,

And headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.

The Waiting Place...for players just waiting.

Waiting for a better team, to catch their big break or just make a big play.

Or to get millions of dollars; maybe just hang out with Bae.

Waiting for a contract or waiting for their next great season.

Or waiting around for no apparent reason.

All the players are just waiting.

NO, PEYTON MANNING!

That's not for you!

Oh, the places you've been! So much fun that's been done!

So many points were scored. So many games were won.

And the magical things you did with that ball?

Has made you the winning-est winner of all.

Fame! You're as famous as famous can be,

and the whole wide world watched you win on TV.

But someday they don't...

Because at some point you won't.

I'm afraid that sometimes you'll play lonely games too.

Games you can't win 'cause you'll play against you.

All Alone! Whether you like it or not.

Alone will be something you'll be quite a lot.

And when you're alone, there's a very good chance

you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.

(But put them back on because you know what will happen?

A lawsuit, some drama and too much talk about teabaggin')

But on you will go though the weather be foul.

On you will go though the pass rushers prowl.

Onward against many frightening defenders,

Despite sacks that leave you like post-fender bender.

You'll get mixed up, of course, as you already know.

You'll get mixed up in too much drama as you go.

So be sure when you step, step with care and great tact

and remember that "Life's a Great Balancing Act."

Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.

And definitely get a good Guard on your right and your left.

And did you succeed?

Why yes you have. You have indeed!

(with an extra $5 million in bonuses guaranteed!)

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So be your name Favre, Montana, Elway or Manning,

You're off to Great Places; today is your day!

Your sunset is waiting, so get on your way.

Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.

— Dr. Seuss (@TheDrSeussQuote) June 3, 2015

Horse Tracks

Peyton not required to take physical this week - NFL.com
Peyton Manning hasn't announced his plans for next season, and he isn't required to take a physical this week if he wants to continue his career in 2016.

Peyton Manning still sounds conflicted about potential retirement - NFL.com
Peyton Manning shed no transparent light on his retirement decision at a public event Wednesday, but Jeff Darlington says the QB absolutely did not sound like a man ready to hang it up.

Kiszla: Why Peyton Manning's retirement decision can be made for him - The Denver Post
Love is also what makes it hard for Manning to say goodbye. So maybe the real question as Manning struggles with the idea of retirement is: How much does the NFL still love him as a quarterback?

Peyton Manning jokes about looming retirement decision in public appearance
Peyton Manning made light of speculation over his looming retirement decision but failed to offer any clues while delivering a speech on leadership Wednesday night.

Denver Broncos over the salary cap with free agency looming
The Broncos have issues to untangle beyond Peyton Manning's status to get below the salary cap before next week's deadline.

Report: The Oakland Raiders are favored to land Malik Jackson | Mile High Sports
Unfortunately for Broncos Country, a not-so-likable team is favored to land Malik Jackson, the NFL's hottest free agent commodity.

Top 16 NFL free agents in 2016: Malik Jackson, Brock Osweiler lead class
There are a few notable names set to hit the market when free agency starts on March 9.

The Broncos are no longer getting top performances for bottom dollar | Mile High Sports
Working around the salary cap is a true test for every general manager in the NFL; this offseason it will be John Elway's turn.

Broncos, Seahawks among teams that could take chance on Arian Foster
A look at teams that might want to pursue former NFL rushing champ Arian Foster, who will be cut by the Houston Texans.

Should the Denver Broncos sign Arian Foster? | Mile High Sports
Should the Denver Broncos sign Arian Foster, reuniting the All-Pro back his his former head coach, Gary Kubiak?

What you should know about NFL free agency in 2016 - NFL Nation- ESPN
Kevin Seifert and John Clayton tackle all the big stories for 2016 NFL free agency, from cap room to the limited number of impact stars on the market.

Draft options for Broncos to replace potential free agent departures - The Denver Post
As the Broncos' quarterback situation with Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler takes center stage, Denver must also prepare to possibly face life without...

Five free agent cornerbacks who could be playing in Denver next season | Mile High Sports
Are there any free agent cornerbacks on the market that make sense for the Denver Broncos?

Are we days away from mad scramble to Houston for free-agent QBs? - Yahoo Sports
From Yahoo Sports: Houston is officially a preferred destination. Even Peyton Manning, should he continue his career, can't be ruled out.

Broncos Von Miller to be a contestant on Season 22 of ‘Dancing With the Stars’
Denver Broncos star Von Miller is set to be a contestant on ABC's hit show, 'Dancing With the Stars.'

After Further Review: Here's the proof that Mario Williams quit on the Bills - CBSSports.com
Mario Williams is a free agent again, but his rep as an elite pass rusher is garbage after he quit on the Bills. Here's the visual proof.

Brady’s side faces tough questions at Deflategate appeal | ProFootballTalk
The latest chapter in the Deflategate saga unfolded in a Manhattan courtroom on Thursday as the three judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit questioned lawyers for both the NFL and NFLPA.

Jerry Jones reportedly insists Cowboys won't take a QB at No. 4 - CBSSports.com
If nothing else, Jerry Jones has been consistent when it comes to the Cowboys' first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Joe Flacco's record-setting contract with Ravens makes sense - Baltimore Ravens Blog- ESPN
Were the Baltimore Ravens foolish to sign a quarterback coming off two torn knee ligaments to such a rich contract? In a word: No.

Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco: 'I'm going to be stronger than ever' - Baltimore Ravens Blog- ESPN
Quarterback Joe Flacco has been "attacking his knee" as he rehabs from torn ligaments and the Ravens expect him back by training camp.

Josh Norman puts himself on list of all-time Top 5 cornerbacks | ProFootballTalk
Josh Norman, the arrogant Panthers cornerback who talked a little smack about Emmanuel Sanders before the Super Bowl (and we know how THAT turned out), was asked to list the Top 5 cornerbacks of all time. He thinks he belongs.