Just in case the "Manning to Miami" billboard wasn't cutting it, Dolphins fans hoping Peyton Manning will permanently land in South Florida got a little more help in their campaign to lure the free agent quarterback... from the man who coined the phrase "Take My Talents To South Beach."
After LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the Heat squeaked out their 11th straight home win on Wednesday, the two-time MVP brought up the four-time NFL MVP possibly joining the Dolphins during his postgame interview.
"I'm just saying, I heard the Dolphins need a quarterback and Peyton is available," James said with a smile. "Uh, I'm going to get on out of here. But you know what I'm saying."
Later, James told Mike Berardino of the Sun Sentinel that it was his "one and only pitch." Teammate Dwyane Wade made his pitch on Twitter.
Coincidentally, Manning had arrived in Miami in his private plane at a small airport a half hour from the Dolphins' complex earlier in the day, shortly after he and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay announced his release. Manning, who has a condo in Miami, told reporters that South Beach might not be his next destination.
"I have no idea who wants me, what team wants me, how this process works," he said. "I don't know if it's like college recruiting where you go take visits. I mean, this is all so new to me."
That didn't stop the speculation though.
Reggie Wayne, Manning's longtime teammate and current free agent, told Michael Irvin on WQAM in Miami Thursday morning that Manning would enjoy playing for the Dolphins and that he would love to join him.
"I mean, I can see it and I’m definitely not opposed to it," Wayne said. "He's a great worker and I consider myself a great worker, and when you put great workers together good things happen. So me being in his trail onto Miami? I would love it. I would definitely love it. I am totally available, my phone is working."