A lot has been made of Archie Manning saying he thinks Peyton Manning is taking his career “year to year.”

In my opinion, way too much has been made by it. I think it would be wrong to translate Archie Manning’s words as saying his son is going to retire at the end of the 2012 season. Basically, Archie Manning was saying there are no guarantees and you have to take it one season at a time. That’s fair.

The Broncos expect Manning, 36, to be their quarterback for at least three more seasons, and they’d love for him to play for the life of his five-year contract. And let’s be real: Manning is not working so hard to come back from a neck injury to play just one more season. He wants to stick around a while.

In other AFC West news:

• ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting the Broncos are no longer expected to deal for Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel. Denver tired to work out a new deal with Samuel last week, but was unable to do so.

• Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith wants to play with San Diego safety Eric Weddle. The Chargers wouldn’t mind accommodating him. The Chargers are looking for a safety. They could trade up to get Alabama’s Mark Barron or trade down for Smith.

• New Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie is looking for students of the game. That is likely one of the reasons Oakland visited with so many draft prospects.

• Oakland middle linebacker Rolando McClain reportedly underwent experimental stem cell therapy on his knee and an ankle. He has been dealing with pain in the leg.

• The Broncos’ brass had a nice moment with newly retired Brian Dawkins.