The Sports Monitor

I look at the Denver Broncos' pursuit of Peyton Manning and I see an intricate storyline. It's almost like AMC's "The Killing," where multiple plots are weaved together. If you missed "The Killing" or are boycotting the show because of its Season 1 ending, try a more popular example, "Seinfeld," where two plots meet at the end. First, there's Manning's search for a new home after the Indianapolis Colts decided to go in a different direction. While there are plenty of people hailing the Broncos as Super Bowl contenders with Manning as quarterback, let's not crown them -- or Manning -- just yet. Manning missed the entire season with multiple neck surgeries. He's also 36. Those are two big strikes against him. He'll also be without All-Pro receivers like Marvin Harrison or Reggie Wayne. Manning's top running back, Willis McGahee, will hit an over-the-hill-for-a-running-back 31 during the 2012 season. And will th...

I knew it was too good to be true. Not too long ago Brett Favre said he wouldn't return to the NFL. Well, he had a change of heart. Again. On Tuesday, Favre announced he's back for more, signing a deal to play for the Minnesota Vikings. I'm tired of the Favre roller coaster. It has more ups and downs than the Phantom's Revenge. And I'm guessing this season ends on a down note, like Favre's comeback with the Jets last season. Vikings fans thinking Favre will recapture his old magic are mistaken. He's not the answer. Favre was once a great player, having won a Super Bowl and played in another. He turned John Madden into a gushing schoolgirl. But the key word here is "was." Favre's not even a good quarterback any more. And he quite possibly can hurt the team more than help. When Favre retired the last time, Jets teammates spoke about what a distraction it was. I'll bet it'll be more of the same this time. Why can't athletes just retire...