I remember folks tossing around the concept of a “Pro Day” or extended throwing sessions for Manning. We’ve seen the grainy footage of Manning playing toss at Duke. We’ve heard of Manning throwing to Brandon Stokley (per The Denver Post) in a Denver park.

If I’m a team executive, I certainly want to see him throw and put on a clinic. With the number of suitors involved in the process, there’s no incentive for Manning to do so. Additionally, the potential to get Manning on an incentive-laden deal with a low guaranteed base has gone out the window.

At 4pm ET, the bell rings.

At least, we all assumed that the release of Peyton Manning by the Colts was inevitable. I suppose there was some sliver of hope among the most ardent Manning fans that he and the Colts would find some common ground in terms of a reduced salary for a year or two. But, we’d seen the comments from Jim Irsay about Andrew Luck. We’ve heard all of the “best prospect since John Elway” evaluations time and again.

I just turn back the clock to early February. It didn’t matter which guest pulled on a headset during Super Bowl week in Indianapolis, the conversation shifted to Manning and his future. His image was everywhere, and you couldn’t walk more than five feet without getting jostled by somebody wearing a No. 18 jersey.

The time for action is at hand. New broke via ESPN on Tuesday afternoon that the Colts would hold a press conference with Peyton Manning to announce their separation. As a result, the PhotoShopping has begun. Images of Manning’s head are surely being fitted with new color schemes and logos in a manner equivalent to the famous Topps “paint job” cards of the 1970s by editors at websites throughout the nation. After all, the free agent frenzy is on the moment that his release is announced.

Where will he go to work?

Well, let’s look at some of the options. Remember, that just coming back to the NFL is not the MO here. This is about legacy. This is about titles. This is about being down 2-1 in the fourth quarter of your career.

So, where should he go?

Let’s roll it up.

Arizona – Does the team want to roll up a ton of cash for a quarterback after signing Kevin Kolb to a huge deal? Arizona quarterbacks also absorbed 54 sacks, good for second-most in the NFL. That’s not a selling point with Jim Harbaugh’s hard-hitting 49ers on the schedule twice.

I’ll like to team him with Larry Fitzgerald, but I don’t see it.

San Francisco – Harbaugh liked Alex Smith going into 2011 off of the shortened preseason, and his faith was rewarded with a deep playoff run. Of course, the defense deserved a ton of credit, but I can’t discount the big-time throws Smith made to Vernon Davis during the run. Still, the thought of putting Manning in this offense (young O-Line, Davis & Crabtree and Frank Gore) is mighty intriguing.

Is Smith the future, or was the success of 2011 an anomaly? The 49ers will need to pony up a big pile of cash to Smith this offseason. Might they go all-in and make a big push toward a New Orleans run?

New York Jets – You know that the O-Line is strong, so that’s a plus. But, would he go to the Big Apple and battle brother Eli for ink? Would Manning want to team up with Rex and Sparano? The team is strong and competitive, but this just doesn’t feel right.

(I do like the idea of a CGI or puppet-infused “Mannings Take Manhattan” film.)

Kansas City – The Chiefs franchised Dwayne Bowe and will have Jamaal Charles and Tony Moeaki returning from injury. As a result, you’re looking at fantastic skill options at his disposal. The offensive line surrendered 34 sacks (13 teams allowed fewer sacks). I wouldn’t rule it out entirely in a winnable division.

Miami – The Dolphins are one of the frontrunners for his services. He’s got the big receiver in Brandon Marshall, a dual threat out of the backfield in Reggie Bush and a good defense. The offensive line still needs tweaking, as this unit allowed the third-most sacks in the league (52).

The biggest issue is this. I have to assume that Joe Philbin reaches back to Green Bay and pays a huge pile of cash to Matt Flynn.

Seattle – The Seahawks re-upped Marshawn Lynch, but the rest of the skill positions are in need of upgrades. The O-Line surrendered 50 sacks (fourth in the NFL) and has that San Francisco defense on the slate twice.

Washington – Daniel Snyder likes to make big splashes. We know Mike Shanahan’s history well. Shanahan has spoken of his belief that the Redskins had a playoff offense in 2011. I’ll let you chew that one over.

Of course, Manning would be joining the NFC East … so there would be two matchups with brother Eli on tap. That alone makes this pairing a longshot.

Cleveland – The Browns are believed to be strong players in the RGIII conversation to shake things up. I personally talked to a Cleveland receiver about his desire for a big-time arm, and Manning would fit the bill. However, this isn’t a team on the cusp of greatness and has many holes to fill. Joe Thomas would have to do one hell of a sales job.

Denver – Tebow fans don’t want to hear it, but there’s an opportunity here. The Broncos have a good offensive line, a strong runner in Willis McGahee and a potential monster in Demaryius Thomas. The Denver defense was strong down the stretch, as we recall from the constant attention afforded the squad. The pieces are in place to take the division again.

This would be a huge statement from John Elway.
Houston – Go for the kill shot. The team just re-signed Arian Foster. He’s got a monster in the receiving corps with Andre Johnson. The offensive line is strong and that defense under Wade Phillips became a force in 2011. Matt Schaub’s been strong, but he’s been injured often. T.J. Yates is there as a security option. All of that is fantastic …. and he’d get a chance to dominate the Colts twice a year.

Jacksonville – Manning would have fun picking up those Pro Bowl conversations he’s had with Maurice Jones-Drew, but that’s about it. I don’t believe that we saw enough to truly evaluate Blaine Gabbert this past year. The Jaguars cut his presumed No. 1 wide receiver in-season. They’re not close to having the personnel for a title run, so this is a longshot. The ability to play the Colts only goes so far.

Next up: Tennessee

“Pay the man his money.”

Vincent Jackson, who had appeared in only two games prior to kickoff following an extended holdout and an injury, torched the 49ers for three touchdown receptions in the 34-7 blowout victory. He opened the rout with a 58-yard touchdown strike from Philip Rivers on the Chargers’ first possession. Jackson would later record 21 and 11-yard touchdown receptions and finished the game with five catches for 112 yards.

The Chargers entered the game without Antonio Gates and Malcom Floyd, so there were faint whispers of “Upset!” in the air. That wasn’t going to happen on this night. Jackson and Rivers were not to be denied. In fact, the game became such a one-sided affair that the San Diego stars sat down early in the fourth quarter.

Jackson lost approximately $3 million and missed 10 games as a result of his extended holdout, but he sent a loud message to A.J. Smith and San Diego management with his dominance in this game. Jackson said all of the right things about the team and his desire to return in 2011 earlier in the week and then backed it up with an electrifying night in front of the home crowd. He demonstrated a ridiculous rapport with Rivers and backed up his holdout position.

San Diego now sits down to view the other AFC West teams in action on Sunday.

– It appears that the Broncos may turn to Tim Tebow against the Raiders. Obviously, they’re rooting for the rookie quarterback to bring his magic to the NFL, if only for a week.

They’ll then cheer for the Raiders in Week 17 against the Chiefs, but let’s take one game at a time.

– The spotlight game of the day obviously occurs in St. Louis, where the Rams host the division-leading Chiefs. Matt Cassel is slated to return, but this is a game with huge playoff implications on both sides. The Rams will not go down easily.

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The Chargers then finish out the season with two road contests against the heretofore deplorable Bengals and the aforementioned Broncos. The finger-pointing has begun in Cincinnati, and both top receiving options are banged up. The Broncos have already dismissed a coach and can’t plug the holes fast enough.

The schedule’s set up for a fantastic finish. If this is any indication, Jackson is going to be front and center for the playoff push. And, if he delivers, he’ll get that cash back in short order.

The 49ers ruled Alex Smith out of Sunday’s game against the Broncos overseas. Smith sustained a separated shoulder in Week 7 against the Panthers and will be unavailable for the game. David Carr entered the contest and did nothing to impress embattled coach Mike Singletary. As such, former Baltimore quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner, Troy Smith, will get the nod.

Smith hasn’t started a game in three seasons, and lost his last opportunity to challenge for the starting gig in Baltimore when he was sidelined for much of the 2008 training camp schedule because of an illness. Joe Flacco stepped into the role and never looked back.

He has familiarity with former Ohio State teammate Ted Ginn, Jr., but all eyes will be on Smith’s ability to connect with Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree downfield.

I’m intrigued. OK, so it’s probably the Big 10 loyalist in me. Still, the offense has to come alive sometime … right?

Check it out here .

The Saints signed former Washington tailback Ladell Betts to rebuild depth at tailback following Lynell Hamilton’s injury. The Bills signed several rookies. Other teams hit by injuries are mulling signings of the remaining veteran options.

On Monday, it was announced that former Eagles star and longtime fantasy hero Brian Westbrook had agreed to terms with the 49ers. Anthony Dixon, the sixth-round pick out of Mississippi State, topped 100 yards and scored for the 49ers in their preseason opener, but the team opted to bring in a seasoned veteran who can play on third downs (Westbrook’s pass-catching efforts made him a fantasy legend).

Westbrook immediately slides up the board as Gore’s top backup and handcuff option. Given the improvements on the offensive line (save the center’s broken leg, of course), the 49ers are looking to make some noise in the NFC West. Westbrook won’t see enough carries to warrant a fantasy start if Gore stays healthy.

However, he could prove to be a fantasy goldmine off the bench if pressed into heavy action.

All throughout the off-season, I’ve been banging the drum about the prospects for the 49ers, owing a nod to Frank Gore’s brilliance, the improvements made on the offensive line, Alex Smith’s growth and the expectation that Coffee would raise his game in his second year. Well, all of the former is now true, but rookie Anthony Dixon, a sixth-round pick out of Mississippi State will be called upon to play the back-up role to Gore. Michael Robinson, the former Penn State quarterback, is in the third spot for now.

There isn’t much out there in the way of free agent running backs. Might the 49ers reach out to Brian Westbrook? The other “name” backs out there are Dominic Rhodes, DeShaun Foster, T.J. Duckett & Adrian Peterson II.

The other move is to make a trade. With the 49ers expected to push for a division title, a trade with Buffalo (Marshawn Lynch) or Baltimore (Willis McGahee) is certainly in the realm of possibility. They need an insurance policy for Gore.

Coach Mike Singletary was already dealing with Kentwan Balmer’s unexcused absence. I love the quote from the Hall of Famer – “If he wanted to be back, he’d be back.” Balmer, the 49ers’ 2008 first-round pick, has yet to make an impact for the squad on any level — except this headache.

There never seems to be a shortage of drama for the Singletary-led 49ers. Will these preseason issues be enough to derail this squad?

Owens signed a one-year deal to join his reality television tag-team partner, Chad Ochocinco, in Cincinnati. The move gives Carson Palmer his deepest and most potent receiving corps ever, with Antonio Bryant coming over from Tampa Bay and rookie Jermaine Gresham expected to make an immediate impact. Palmer, in his second year back from injury, is primed to have a big season with Cedric Benson handling the running load again. He’s being drafted as one of the first QB2s, but could become a weekly starter in short order.

The Bengals appeared to be the fit all along for Owens, but that didn’t stop the chatter about the Rams, Raiders, Bears, Jets and seemingly countless other squads. There was talk about Owens’ salary demands. There was talk about his locker room demeanor. There was talk about his ability to fit as a secondary option.

The Bengals ultimately decided that veteran receiver had something left in his tank, as I’d argued all along after watching his efforts in Buffalo last season. There were flashes of his old breakaway self, but perhaps too few to convince some (look at the line and QB play in Buffalo).

In Cincinnati, Ochocinco is unquestionably the headliner. Owens will be the No. 2, with Bryant sliding down in the pecking order (he slid very deep in a draft in which I participated on Tuesday night). There’s potential for 60-70 receptions if things go properly and this unit stays healthy. I’d ranked him as a WR3 this preseason with the assumption that he’d enter a situation in which he could make an impact. Owens might have had a larger statistical impact in St. Louis, but he’ll have the opportunity to produce in what could be an upper-tier offense, particularly with Antwan Odom and the defense ready to get after it.

Now, I mentioned that Ochocinco is the headliner here. The Bengals are banking that Owens doesn’t become the locker room equivalent of a heckler.