Agent Says Manning Not Looking for His Own Perks

Tom Condon, the agent for Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, says that his client is not angling for individual perks in order to sign off on the final draft of a proposed new collective bargaining agreement that would get the NFL up and running again.  Despite reports yesterday that Manning and Drew Brees have requested exemption from the franchise tag under any new agreement, Condon told Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star that’s not really the case.   According to Condon,

"What they are doing is endorsing the players’ (bargaining position), not pursuing anything individually."

The gist of Condon’s argument is that part of what the players want in the new CBA is for each player to be subjected to the franchise tag only once.    Since Manning was tagged in 2004, that would exempt him for the rest of his career and make him a free agent in a few days.

It seems like a fine distinction, but if true, it should help ease some of the tensions among players.   Manning would get his, but others would also benefit, now and down the line.   In the end, Peyton may get to have his cash and spend it, too.