Namath doubts Peyton will become a Jet

Peyton Manning to the Jets?

Joe Namath doesn't think so. The Hall of Fame quarterback is skeptical of his former team's chances of landing the Super Bowl XLI MVP, pointing to the Jets' locker-room chemistry issues that blew up at the end of the season.

"The Jets have to get things together on their own turf," Namath told Bloomberg News Thursday, "before someone with his background would be interested in coming."

Manning, who is recovering from four neck surgeries, was released by the Colts on Wednesday after 14 seasons. If the Jets are going to reel him in, they're going to have to beat out a lot of competition.

At least 12 teams reportedly have reached out to the representatives for the four-time MVP. The Jets are among them, probably thinking that Manning would put them over the top in the competitive AFC East. But another team initially thought to be in the mix, the Redskins, reportedly already has been informed that Manning won't be playing for them.

ESPN reported that Manning prefers to remain in the AFC, and there's talk that he would like to be sealed and delivered to his new team within the next week, particularly because free agency begins Tuesday and there likely won't be much movement on the market until he decides.

Namath, who said Mark Sanchez has the work ethic and ability to remain the Jets' franchise quarterback, wasn't surprised to see Manning cut loose by the Colts.

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"Your heart might be in one place, but business is business," Namath said. "The No. 1 question is, 'Is he going to be satisfied with the strength in his throwing arm?' "

Manning apparently is mulling his next move in South Florida, where he owns a condominium. The Dolphins are among the teams interested in his services, and Dan Marino said if Manning called, he'd be thrilled to tell him what to expect as the Dolphins' quarterback. But Marino knows that's not really necessary.

"I think he fits with anybody," Marino told The Associated Press at a South Florida charity golf tournament. "He's one of the best to ever play the game at that position. So wherever he ends up playing, if he's healthy, which is going to be important to Peyton, I'm sure he wants to go out there and play at a high level.

"Wherever he plays, he'll be a huge impact for that team."

Justin Tuck agreed, and he's hoping Manning doesn't sign with one of the Giants' NFC East opponents.

"There's going to be a lot of teams bidding for the services of Peyton Manning," the defensive end told The Associated Press at the Global Sports Forum in Barcelona. "Even with the injury, I think he's still going to come back strong and he's going to make whichever team he goes to an instant powerhouse."