This week's issue of Sports Illustrated features as precise a timeline as I've seen for Peyton Manning's decision on where he would play in 2012.

It's fascinating. For the past two months, most of us have considered his departure from Indianapolis a foregone conclusion, but King's story reemphasizes the reality that Manning wasn't really sure what to do or which timeline to follow. There was a bit of shock.

There was also a pretty compulsive element of his control in the process, which brings us to Seattle's unannounced arrival in Denver in hopes of landing a meeting.

"One more surprise: Manning got a call informing him that Seahawks coach Pete Carroll had flown, unannounced, with Seattle G.M. John Schneider to the airport in Englewood. Carroll would do whatever Manning wanted--talk for a while in Denver or on the plane to Arizona, his next visit, or fly him to Seattle for a lengthier discussion.

"Peyton Manning does not like surprises. He said no thanks. Carroll flew home."
    -- Peter King, Sports Illustrated

Now, it's hard for me to blame Carroll for being rude or intrusive. He's the coach of a football team with a long-term need at quarterback and a sure-fire Hall of Famer is on the market. If you can't get a meeting scheduled, and you think that this might be a shot, well, you don't have all that much to lose.

It is funny, though, to think of Manning not liking surprises.