There was really only 1 team that was a Manning away from a title and he chose not to play in San Francisco. DEN, KC, MIA, TEN - none of those teams were a Manning away from a SB. If your team didn't play in the playoffs this past year or you haven't had a consistent level of playoff success in the last couple of years (injuries are part of the equation, it's life in the NFL)... then you're still more than a Manning away from a title.

Each of those teams that wanted him, needed help in addition to signing Manning... with the exception of a SanFran.

See, I get the San Fran angle, but they need help too.

I don't think one year of advancing in the playoffs means that it's going to be a constant pattern year in and year out.

The Donks will have between 18-20 million in cap space after signing Manning. That is plenty of money to improve the team with.

KC doesn't belong in the same bucket with Den, Mia, or Tn. KC is genuinely a great QB away from a SB. Great line, great skill positions, top 10 defense.

So yeah, the Chiefs are a Manning away. The donks? Not so much.

My opinion: Elway thinks the Broncos have a better chance to win the Super Bowl with Manning in the next few years, than to win one with Tebow through all of his career.

Agreed and I mentioned that in regards to Denver... "or you haven't had a consistent level of playoff success in the last couple of years" ... it was a nice 2011, but it wasn't a trend. It was the first time in several years, so we'll see what they can build on in 2012.

And, yeah - all teams need help... the Giants need help. Some just need a lot less than others.

Again - if your team hasn't had consistent playoff success... you're not a player away from the Super Bowl. Would Manning have made KC one of the top 4-6 teams to make it to the SB? Yes... and you have a lot of people saying that now about Denver.

Truth is... while he makes any team a whole lot better... he doesn't guarantee anything and it would have been the same for KC. And, if KC really is a great QB away... you should lock your owner up and take over the team.

Regarding the surrounding cast, I think KC is far and away in much better shape than Denver. No, we wouldn't go to the SB this season with Manning, but we'd be in the hunt, and next year even more so. I think the Donks have a much longer way to go than do the Chiefs. But, Manning didn't see it that way, so there's that.

Playoff success isn't exactly a requirement. We're talking about what roster has enough talent to pull it off. The Chiefs were what, a blocked field goal away from winning the division last year? That was with two pro bowlers lost all season, and three shit quarterbacks.

KC is far more talented than Denver top to bottom, and it's not really even close. Manning makes any team better, but he's no miracle worker. Denver isn't a SB contender just because Manning is behind center. I mean hell, he routinely choked in Indy in the playoffs each season with a FAR better team.

Sure and I think I could make a case either way on the matter of talent with KC and Denver. Many here (and I realize it's CP :D ) have commented that Denver is littered with garbage and quite frankly, I think that's a load of bull.

Denver has a lot of really good talent - yes, they could use additional pieces, but a guy like Manning takes players and makes them better than they are with other QBs.

Hell, you guys saw that with Montana when he took over in KC... Willie Davis, JJ Birden. Really... REALLY?

Certain QBs make others rise up and play better - Manning is one of those guys and he'll have two young WRs (Thomas and Decker) chomping at the bit to learn and do well, and they should have really good seasons.

It's the only reason every team in this division has been in a SB other than us.

KC has not, does not, will not put the importance of getting a franchise QB above the risk of making a high-pick/high-dollar mistake.

KC will stumble into a HOF QB like we stumbled into Jarred Allen or we won't ever have one at all...

That's all part of the fun debate... Denver has more work to do. The Patriots, Ravens and Steelers are the big 3 in the AFC. CIN is on the rise, the Texans are solid... you have teams like the Chargers and Jets, with the likes of KC and Denver right there too.

On paper - things don't always work out the way we expect. Look at PHI last year and ... the Giants.

What actual talent does Denver have in comparison to KC? I'm not talking potential. I mean guys that have already produced better than the guys in KC at the same positions.

I thought we were pathetic for not getting him?

That's where i stopped reading.