NASHVILLE — Peyton Manning remains on the Colts' roster, and the Titans have three quarterbacks already.
Still, Titans' fans of the NFL's only four-time MVP expecting the injured QB to be released and healthy enough to play are starting an ad campaign in Indianapolis hoping to convince Manning to return to Tennessee.
"It's kind of evident to the sports world they're going to let Peyton go, they're not going to pay him the money that he's due and he's going to be a free agent," Todd Mayo said Monday. "All the sports talk guys are saying he could go to Arizona and Washington and every place but Tennessee. We've got a young quarterback here at the Titans.
"If you could upgrade your team with the caliber of Peyton, why would you not?"
Mayo said he and his brother, Griffin, spent the weekend designing the website www.comehomepeyton.com and recorded a couple parody songs, including one to the Eminem hit "Lose Yourself."
The site went live Monday and had generated $700 in donations by midday. A 30-second commercial is planned for an Indianapolis radio station during the Super Bowl.
"Call it fan-vertising if you will, but kind of a concept to put the power in the fans' hands and let Peyton know how much he's wanted in the state of Tennessee for the Titans," Mayo said. "Of course, he played at Tennessee. I'm from Memphis, went to school at Tennessee in Knoxville and live in Nashville ... I love Tennessee, and it's kind of one of those things you would like to affect positive change from the power of fans coming together."
Mayo works at a Nashville advertising agency and already has priced billboards and ads. He hopes to solicit enough donations to place eight digital billboards in Indianapolis along with ads on TV and radio and in the local newspaper. If enough money comes in, Mayo said billboards and ads in Houston where Titans owner Bud Adams lives are a possibility to help persuade him to make a move for Manning.
Manning remains very popular in Tennessee where many children are named Peyton after the quarterback by parents who still wear his Volunteers' jersey or his Colts' No. 18. Manning is due $28 million from the Colts on March 8 after missing the 2011 season following his third neck surgery.
The Titans signed veteran Matt Hasselbeck to a three-year contract last July, and he led Tennessee to a 9-7 record. The Titans also used the eighth pick overall last April on Jake Locker.
Mayo said life and football are about risks and rewards. He sees this as a rare chance that the Titans shouldn't pass on to team Manning with running back Chris Johnson, receiver Kenny Britt and a strong offensive line.
"He's probably the most famous Tennessean since Davy Crockett," Mayo said. "All of this seems to be a perfect storm, one of those Disney-type movies. I would certainly hope it would have a Disney-type ending. You never know with injuries, but why wouldn't you do everything you can to further along as a fan ... to at least send a message."
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Comments » 86
koamalina writes:
Ravens
VolInIndy writes:
He is not a Tennessan although he is a Volunteer.
born2ride writes:
I would love to see Peyton in Nashville but the Titans have Matt Hasselbeck and drafted Jake Locker last year with the #8 pick. And I don't see Bud Adams paying out that kind of money.
The Cardinals seem to be likely. It would be sad to see his career end there.
clvolfan writes:
Having spinal problems myself,I can honestly say,he would be crazy to not go to warm weather.
givehim6 writes:
I am a big Titans fan, with Hasselbeck they got there experienced QB. The Titans are in good shape at QB! Peyton needs a year or two to rehab his neck, so comeing back to UT to coach the QB's for a year or 2 is in his best interest plus UT's.
jkleno#393970 writes:
San Fran or Arizona.
heyitsme writes:
No, no, no... The Titans are a losing organization.
volnsc writes:
Jets, baby!
bigfatvolfan79 writes:
This is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Titans are set at qb and don't need this guy. Its jake locker time in nashville!
CantStandCantStandSaban writes:
Ain't gonna happen...
bigfatvolfan79 writes:
Losing organization? You must not watch football cause the Titans are a decent team and don't need a qb. Locker is gonna be real good!
mm29680#645909 writes:
Peyton should put his health and family first. He already has more money than his children and grandchildren can spend. Seeing a great athlete like him getting seriously injured would hurt the sport of football. Come to UT. He's smart enough to coach ANY position. (Can you tell I'm a fan?)
VOLS_SEC_RULES writes:
Dallas!
NashvillePreds writes:
Nice campaign, but we already have the possibility of a QB controversy in Nashville.
DalTexVol writes:
Peyton is great, but Dallas needs cornerbacks, not quarterbacks!
johnshanks writes:
The Titans already have a quarterback?? If they can get Manning for 3 years, bye-bye Hasselback. No questions. Locker, sit and learn from the best ever. Worked okay for Green Bay
Tau_of_Tennessee writes:
I regret to be hatin on your Titans but I am all Vol and the way I see it the Titans compete with the Vols for sports entertainment dollars. I therefore pull against the Titans in every way, particularly because they encroached on the UT brand by naming themselves the "Tennessee" Titans. There was a time when you knew exactly what a person was referring to when they said Tennessee football; now it requires context. Petty, I know, but those are my sentiments.
IdahoVol writes:
Would love to see it (assuming he is healthy) but placing a Peyton billboard just above a Boobie Bungalow billboard and then posting that on your site - probably not the brightest move.
Lane_Kiffins_Daddy_Wears_Diapers writes:
I have a question for East TN residents. Are the Titans the most popular NFL team over there? I would assume they are in Middle TN. Over here in Shelby County, the following teams are more popular than the Titans:
a. Colts
b. Cowgirls
c. Steelers
d. Packers
e. Saints
bigfatvolfan79 writes:
Lol. I hope you are kidding. Nfl and college is two different things. The Vols and Titans both make plenty of money. Wow.
Lane_Kiffins_Daddy_Wears_Diapers writes:
You can draw a circle 500 miles around Nashville and tell people that you are a Tennessee fan and they won't even think about the team in Nashville.
Go Vols!
MrDonCorleone writes:
Why? He's got nerve damage in his neck and it's affecting his throwing arm. It was a helluva run but he's done. One bad hit and he's eating through a straw for the rest of his life. Goodbye playing days, hello Hall of Fame.
SevenT writes:
Reminds me when UT Fan lobbied for Peyton to win the Heisman.
Remember Michigan's Charles Woodson
tnsportsman writes:
You may be right to goodbye playing days for Peyton. IF so, Come Home Peyton To Your TENNESSEE VOLS! Just like Steve Spurrier did after 10 years as a NFL QB, he went back home to FL as OB coach under Doug Dickey.
AD Hart, go hire Peyton regardless of the money as OUR VOLS QB or OC Coach and tell Dooley to make the room and like it!
GO VOLS ALWAYS!
oldvoltimer62 writes:
Forget the Titans Peyton you have unfinished business at Neyland come on home and coach the Vols to a national championship someday.It eluded you while you were there as a player,but you can lead'em to the promised land.Go Big Orange!!
DalTexVol writes:
There is no such team as b. Just thought you would like to know.
JBVols1698 writes:
Im def NOT lobbying for that.. I'd much rather him go with Jim Caldwell to Baltimore so he can win a few rings... then he needs to come back and be our OC right away.
Lane_Kiffins_Daddy_Wears_Diapers writes:
The wife is from the Dallas area so I have to root against the Cowgirls since she likes them. My fave thing is her pink Romo #9 Jersey is faded enough where middle part of the R is faded and looks closer to a H.
DalTexVol writes:
I am glad I was not drinking a hot cup of coffee when I read that! LOL
Razzle writes:
You mean America's(most overrated)Team?
huntined#565710 writes:
Being there are no TENN football post on here Just so you will know OLE KIFF JUST PASSED TENN ON RIVALS with about half the number recruits that TENN has.
Lane_Kiffins_Daddy_Wears_Diapers writes:
You should know that a Dallas Cowgirls football jersey doesn't get worn in January and early February.
FORTKNOXVOL writes:
Amen. I cannot think of a better person to coach the VOLS. I have been saying this since that dreadful day in November.
Lane_Kiffins_Daddy_Wears_Diapers writes:
Let me rephrase that....a Romo Cowgirls jersey don't get worn in January and February. My bad!
Lane_Kiffins_Daddy_Wears_Diapers writes:
I will admit that was a good line. The last time someone with the Cowboys had a line as good as that, it was about to go up Michael Irvin's nose.
dvols writes:
Just put a #16 Manning Titan jersey on the rack and see how fast they fly off....
just sayin...i see a lot of colts jerseys, and I used to see a lot of shuler redskins jerseys...
haven't seen cromptons yet...
sly_stone99#434111 writes:
Dolphins hands down need a QB. Peyton would fit that bill.
FanNotSheep writes:
To paraphrase the funniest thing I have ever read - "We don't need Peyton Manning. We have Matt Hasselback."
The Tight-uns will never pay Manning or any other player half of what they are worth. Their M.O. is draft 'em, coach 'em, play 'em and let somebody else pay 'em when they become free agents.
Nice idea though. And while Peyton was not born in Tennessee he is a Tennessean now. Gosh if he were to actually go there I would have to pull for them. I mean, I never pulled against them - except when they played against Manning. The only NFL team I ever really cared that much about was Dallas in the Landry era. Then they brought Jimmy Johnson in and that was that.
The reason I don't have strong feelings about an NFL team is precisely the reason the Colts are doing what they are about to do: No one has any loyalty to anyone anymore. I guess the players started it with free agency, but now it's just a business with high-speed collisions and lots of injuries. I just like to see former Vols do well. I wanted the Colts to win a Super Bowl so the idiots who think football is a one-man game would not be able to say Manning was not a great QB. He is, and so was Marino.
Anyway, I for one am not like Seinfeld: I don't cheer for laundry.
DalTexVol writes:
Overrated in what way? They deserved to be 8-8 last year and that is what they were. They are still my team though. Now declare who your team is so we can all take shots at them.
jobrando#216494 writes:
Peyton should retire at the top
Vols4life77 writes:
This is one of the DUMBEST things I have ever heard. Titans are set at QB? We dont need this guy? Did you just start watching football this year? Let's start with hasselback who is a class guy but a mid tier QB at best. Jake locker who I think has great potential has done nothing yet to prove himself. And yes given the opportunity I think he can have a very successful career. But will it be peyton manning successful? That would be a reach to say the least. Let me explain, Peyton manning is the ONLY 4 time MVP, Peyton manning has thrown for 54,828 yards, 3rd all time at age 35. Ahead of Elway, Brady, moon etc.. Think their hall of famers... Next Peyton manning has thrown 399 td passes again 3rd all time and yes ahead of Elway, moon, Brady, Unitas all hall of famers. Since you just started watching football you may not have heard of John Elway, Warren Moon or Johnny Unitas so you probably know who Tom Brady is? He is 14th on the career passing yards list if that tells you how good this manning character is! While locker is young and talented you would have to be a FOOL to not take Peyton given his health is good cause he FAR the superior quarterback. Nuff Said!!
kdaff51 writes:
Agreed.....Jets are unhappy with present situation. Manning goes to NY.
tnoutlaw2001#228008 writes:
If he retires,
Offensive Coordinator/QB coach Tennessee
saves Dooley, stays 6 yrs.
Becomes Head-coach UT, the end.
VFL
This guy is meant to be a HC in college one day. If he wishes to go back to NFL it will be after starting in college.
rockypop writes:
Todd Mayo and his brother, Griffin, are trying to create a name for themselves. Anybody who participates in this scam is as big a fool as they are.
Razzle writes:
No problem... Vols and Packers, in that order.
movol53 writes:
Will Peyton win MVP again this year? He should look at last year with Peyton hurt and this year without him. He proved his worth to a team by not playing!!! Go Vols!!! Beat KY!!!!
WaVol writes:
Forget that. Come back to UT and coach for us. We could use an assistant coach...
SBWB2 writes:
How great would it be to have him back in Knoxville as QB Coach and C O!
eprahm writes:
Unless he has recently sold it he owns a home in Thunder Farms (Chattanooga) and is seen around town quite often.
TitanandVolfan4life writes:
PM will never play for the Titans.
He'll probably coach in the NFL whenever he retires because he'll earn LOTS more $$$ and have lots more time off as a NFL coach then he would have coaching college football.
PM is extremely smart but he has NOT proven to anyone that he can be a good, effective coach at any level so we'll have to see what Peyton decides HE wants to do for HIS life.
VFL...GBO!!!
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