In pursuing Peyton Manning, Dolphins will remember Drew Brees

The Miami Dolphins figure to be one of the most aggressive teams in bidding for the services of Peyton Manning, who will be released by Indianapolis on Wednesday morning.

In doing so, the Dolphins will be mindful of what happened six years ago when they let a prime opportunity get away.

In 2006, the Dolphins were in the market for a quarterback and had a chance to sign Drew Brees, who was coming off a devastating shoulder injury. Brees had been released by San Diego, which had decided to cast its lot with Philip Rivers.

Brees and his wife visited Miami, loved it, and the quarterback was prepared to sign with the Dolphins. Dolphins coaches and executives loved him too, seeing Brees as an ideal fit for that organization. What’s more, they knew they were in competition with New Orleans, where Brees had visited on his way to Miami.

However, Dolphins doctors failed him on his physical, telling the team Brees’ shoulder was iffy and that he might not be able to perform.

The Saints wound up signing Brees and wound up winning a Super Bowl with him. The Dolphins traded for Daunte Culpepper, who was an unmitigated flop.

Safe to say the Dolphins won’t be quick to fail Manning on his physical.

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