"The rumors of Peyton Manning perhaps playing for the Cardinals picked up speed here on Thursday with a report that Manning and receiver Larry Fitzgerald have a dinner date planned in the next few days.

The Terre Haute Tribune Star reported the planned meeting. Fitzgerald later denied it but not until after he played coy during an appearance on KGME-AM (910).

"I don't even have Peyton's phone number," Fitzgerald said.

Pressed for a definitive answer later in the interview, Fitzgerald denied a meeting was scheduled. He repeated that denial to The Republic in a text message.

In related news, ESPN reported that Manning had been medically cleared to play football after missing the entire 2011 season because of a neck problem.

Being medically cleared, however, doesn't mean Manning is capable of playing. There are questions about his arm strength, and the nerves affecting strength in his right arm have yet to regenerate sufficiently.

There is speculation the Colts will release him rather than pay him a $28 million roster bonus due next month.

If that happens, the Cardinals are expected to be among many teams that show interest in Manning."