Football: More rumors linking Manning to Redskins

Two quick football notes involving the Washington Redskins:

* According to Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com, "everyone" around the NFL (his sources) thinks the Redskins will sign Peyton Manning if, as expected, he becomes a free agent. Manning has said he will meet with Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay this week, but Irsay said he doesn't anticipate making a decision on Manning's status until early March. The Colts have until March 8 to decide on Manning's $28 million bonus option and whether or not to let him become a free agent.

On Sunday, WIP sports radio's Howard Eskin tweeted that he was told by two people close to the Mannings that Peyton is "very likely" to be a Redskin.

One Redskins follower, former Skins QB Joe Theismann, is very much against the team signing Manning. "It's a horrific idea," he told 106.7 The Fan. "It would be one of the poorest things that we could do as a franchise. Are we gonna go find another guy for just a couple of years again? Haven't we done this before? We're tired of looking for stop gaps."

* The Redskins are expected to use their franchise tag on free agent tight end Fred Davis, according to NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora. The tag is expected to be around $5.5 million. Davis, 26, had career highs in receptions (59) and receiving yards (796) to go with three touchdowns despite missing the final month of the season because of a drug suspension.

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