Peyton Manning makes visit to Cardinals' facility; Dolphins next?

The Peyton Manning sweepstakes continued Sunday as the free-agent quarterback paid a visit to the Arizona Cardinals amid reports that the Denver Broncos were emerging as the favorites after their visit with the four-time NFL MVP Friday night.

Manning spent nearly seven hours at Arizona's headquarters and training facility. He waved and smiled at cheering fans as he walked from the building to coach Ken Whisenhunt's white SUV. With the coach at the wheel, Manning waved again as the SUV pulled through the security gate and past the loud supporters.

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Team president Michael Bidwill, general manager Rod Graves and offensive line coach Russ Grimm were also at the facility during Manning's visit. Receiver Larry Fitzgerald spent a few hours with Manning in the morning before departing for an Australian vacation.

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reported the quarterback was set to return to Miami following his visits with the Broncos and Cardinals, and could meet soon with the Dolphins, according to league sources.

NFL.com's Jeff Darlington reported Monday that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross' private jet was scheduled to arrive in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., that morning at 9:04 a.m. ET.

As the field narrows among the suitors for Manning, other teams -- beyond the Broncos, Cardinals and Dolphins -- are still relatively in the dark about the process and are uncertain they will get a meeting, league sources told La Canfora.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, La Canfora reported, Manning is not scheduled to meet with more than three teams and wouldn't sign with another team without a prior meeting. League sources tell La Canfora that Manning has given no indication that he will throw for teams yet and may get the contract without it.

A source who had spoken to Manning prior to his visit with the Cardinalstold ESPN that "his gut is that Manning is leaning toward Denver."

Vic Lombardi of CBS4 in Denver reported that Peyton Manning contacted the Broncos Sunday night, and that the team is confident that Manning will sign with Denver.

Lombardi seemed to back away a bit with a subsequent tweet: "Broncos want to be respectful of the process. Not going to tweet any more numbers. Let's sit back and wait."

A short time later, ESPN reported a "Broncos official wants it known: Manning didn't call team today or tonight & inform they're 95% fave. Manning source already refuted to me."

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Manning spent Friday night and Saturday meeting with John Elway and other Broncos officials. According to a team source, the Broncos were in touch with Manning throughout Saturday and described their meeting with him as productive and encouraging, according to NFL Network's Michelle Beisner. Manning, the source said, came away impressed with the organization and the Broncos are hopeful that talks will continue to progress.

Arizona has already invested millions in quarterback Kevin Kolb and is scheduled to pay him a $7 million bonus if he is on the roster Thursday.

The Denver Post reported that Manning was looking to make a decision by Tuesday, which is also the beginning of the free agency period.

The Associated Press contributed to this report