Rumors are swirling about Peyton Manning and his eventual departure from Indianapolis. And some of those rumors are saying the future Hall-of-Famer could end up in Miami, as the bridge to a new franchise quarterback.

How ironic, since for years Manning was the Dolphins' tormentor, and now he could join the ranks and become yet another all-time great who finishes his career with another team.

Manning would follow in the footsteps of Brett Favre, Joe Namath, Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas, and so many others who were forced out of the cities they most famously represented because they got old or were injured (or, in Manning's case, both).

Even Dan Marino was given the cold shoulder by the Dolphins, when after suffering through his worst-ever season in 1999, Dave Wannstedt allowed Marino to twist in the wind and wait for a contract offer that never came. And despite receiving offers from the hometown Steelers and Minnesota, Marino opted to retire as a one-town QB rather than finish his career as so many of his legendary peers did.

In fact, the history of most all-time greats ends this way, except for a lucky few like John Elway, who was actually wanted back in Denver, but went out on his own terms after an MVP performance in Super Bowl XXXIII.

As for Manning, the signs he is on the way out have become too obvious to ignore, especially when the Colts floundered to a 2-14 record and clinched the No. 1 pick in the draft, which by all accounts they will use on Stanford's Andrew Luck.

Then, as if to emphasize the fact they were moving on without No. 18, owner Jim Irsay fired trusted Manning confidantes the Polians (Bill started the Manning Era by drafting him in 1998) and Coach Jim Caldwell, who took Manning and the Colts to their last Super Bowl two years ago.

Add to it yet another statement by Peyton's father Archie revealing that Peyton would not want to tutor his probable replacement, and it all adds up to a long goodbye for one of the greatest quarterbacks in history.

Peyton should have known, that despite all his accomplishments and his status as an Indianapolis icon, once you show any vulnerability, whether through age or injury, your time is up, and even the greatest athletes cannot defeat Father Time.

The Colts' loss could be Miami's gain, if Manning in fact will be fully recovered from the two neck surgeries he underwent that caused him to miss all of the past season.

Reports right now are sketchy, saying the nerves in Manning's neck have not fully regnerated, and I remember a neck injury that effectively ended Marino's career more than a decade ago.

However, if Manning demonstrates he can still throw the football well, the Dolphins should take a chance on him. He can run the West Coast offense new coach Joe Philbin is installing, and you know he has the work ethic to get in synch with the new receivers he will be throwing to.

Also, he can give the Dolphins something they have lacked since Marino: A true quarterback who gives them a chance to compete for a postseason berth, and actually win a playoff game.

If the Dolphins get a Manning who plays at anything close to his 2010 level (33 TD passes, 4,700 yards), they are suddenly a threat in the AFC, and he certainly would cover for any deficiencies on the current roster.

He also allows the current regime to draft a quarterback this year and let him develop under Manning's watchful eye. I know he declined to do that with Luck, but maybe with another quarterback who isn't so heralded, and seeing how his comments ended up being interpreted in Indianapolis, Manning might have learned his lesson and would change his mind.

Manning would also give Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and Philbin what they want: Someone who can help the team win now, while passing on his extensive knowledge and experience to the next franchise quarterback.

Manning would also benefit because he would remain in the same conference as the Colts, and return to the same division as Tom Brady and his nemesis, the New England Patriots. He could perform a Favre-like miracle in Miami, and the Dolphins would be relevant down here for the first time since those Wannstedt-led teams made the playoffs in 2000 and 2001.

Coordinator search ends
Reports down here say Philbin is set to hire former Green Bay Packers and Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman to be the next offensive coordinator. Sherman will have to do a great job to surpass what Brian Daboll did in his one season of work. Daboll somehow wrang a good season out of journeyman Matt Moore, coaxed the first 1,000-yard season out of Reggie Bush in his career, and the Dolphins' offense was more diverse and explosive than I've seen it since the tail-end of the Marino years.

As for defensive coordinator, Philbin has tapped Cincinnati Bengals defensive backs coach Dennis Coyle, who has helped lead an underrated defense in recent seasons.

That means Miami will likely shift from the 3-4 defense the Dolphins have favored since Bill Parcells arrived to a 4-3 alignment. General manager Jeff Ireland said the change would "not be that big" and I agree with him, seeing as how the Dolphins have stockpiled the roster with young defensive lineman and have few linebackers on the roster. I wonder if Cameron Wake will shift to his more natural down lineman role with the change.