Peyton Manning has made his decision, and the recently-released former quarterback of #ColtsNation is now a Denver Bronco. After 12 teams put in waivers for No. 18, Peyton ultimately whittled his choices down to Denver, San Francisco, and Tennessee, and it was the Mile High State that emerged victorious in the race for his services. While it will be hard to see Manning in any colors other than blue and white, at least the waiting, wondering, and questioning are over. Twitter went wild over the decision, and this week #HorseBytes will share with you what other deals took place in the wake of Peyton’s Denver signing.

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Ryan deemed worthy of one more (discounted) year by Colts.

On the same day that the Colts officially released cornerback Kelvin Hayden, the team also re-signed offensive lineman Ryan Diem.  Just earlier this week, most observers thought that Hayden would stay and Diem would be cut loose, but Mike Chappell reported earlier today in the Indianapolis Star that Diem has accepted a pay cut on a new one-year deal.

Although Diem, 32, is not aging particularly gracefully, he may be deemed more important than he otherwise would have been thanks to the NFL lockout.   Because there were no OTAs or rookie activities this year, the Colts already announced that draftees Anthony Castonzo and Ben Ijalana would not open the season as starters on the O-line.   With camp opening today, Castonzo has not agreed on contract terms, so his development is likely to be further delayed.    Diem is an experienced insurance policy, a tutor for the young bucks on the line and a bridge to the past hoping to pick up one more Super Bowl ring.   Hopefully, he is not being paid too handsomely for this revised role.

Ryan Diem may not be around to fall on Peyton Manning in 2011.

According to Dan Graham, @coltsinsider, the Colts have released right tacke Ryan Diem because he wouldn’t accept a reduced salary.   As Graham Tweeted last night:

This is not too surprising, since it’s been rumored all week that Diem could be a salary-cap casualty, one way or another.   The Indianapolis Star reported yesterday that the Colts issued Diem an ultimatum to the effect of “take less or be released.”   It appears that Diem chose the latter and will now test the free agent market.

Diem’s departure leaves the Colts with questions on the strong side and the weak side of the offensive line, and makes it more likely than ever that FA tackle Charlie Johnson will be back in the fold for the 2011 season.  I’m sure that Peyton Manning is even more interested than Colts fans to find out how the line will shape up over the next few weeks.    Maybe his sitting on the sidelines for awhile in camp is a really good thing for his long-term health, as it will at least give the coaching staff a chance to figure out some sort of protection scheme.