Manning leaving to meet with Cardinals, Broncos term talks "productive"

Rare is the example when a highly prized recruit picks his team after one visit.

There will be no exception for Peyton Manning. The free-agent quarterback with 399 touchdown passes, 11 Pro Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl ring is getting ready to leave Denver for the Phoenix area, where he is scheduled to meet with the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night, according to two NFL sources.

Manning had visited with the Broncos since team officials — a group led by front-office boss John Elway and head coach John Fox — met him in Stillwater, Okla. at about 11 a.m. Friday. He arrived by private plane at Centennial Airport at about 1:35 p.m. Friday, spent his day visiting with owner Pat Bowlen and touring the Broncos' headquarters until about 7:45 p.m. Friday night.

Manning, Elway and Fox then dined at the Cherry Hills Country Club and stayed late.

Manning stayed overnight and has been in Denver throughout the day. Although, a Broncos source said the team "was in communication with Manning" today, the two sides did not meet. Elway was in his team office Saturday preparing for free agency that begins at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Manning wants to make his decision by then.

Manning will fly out to Arizona tonight. With agent Tom Condon not accompanying Manning on his visit to Denver, a deal was not expected to be struck. Still, the Broncos most likely tried.

A Broncos source characterized the visit as "productive. The team is hopeful and encouraged by the time spent" with 

Manning.

Meanwhile, a source close to Tim Tebow said the Broncos' incumbent quarterback is philosophical about his team's pursuit of Manning and won't comment until "after the smoke clears."