On Saturday, Peyton Manning woke up in Germany on a USO tour.
He didn’t let that stop him from attending the NFL 101 Awards in Kansas City, Mo., to accept his record seventh award later that evening.
“Once I received the award, I committed to being here,” Manning said. “I’ve been here every year — I’m proud of that fact. It’s a banquet that’s worth coming to, because it’s really special. And to be here with my old coach makes it even more special.”
That coach would be Manning’s offensive coordinator from his college days, current Duke Head Coach David Cutcliffe. Cutcliffe introduced Manning before the quarterback accepted the award for AFC Offensive Player of the Year.
Manning said Cutcliffe and the Broncos trainers were some of the people that were instrumental in helping him get back on the football field in 2012. He couldn’t help but think of how far he had come throughout the Broncos’ AFC West-title season.
“I certainly was reflective all year, and this is a nice way to kind of culminate what’s really been a special comeback,” he said. “It’s not the goal, the individual award, but I’m honored and humbled to be recognized by the committee with this award. The fact that this is my seventh time, it’s certainly special.”
Manning finished the regular season with 4,659 passing yards, 37 touchdowns and a passer rating of 105.8, which led the AFC. His 68.6 completion rate was tied for first in the entire league.
The 12-time Pro Bowler was voted the recipient of the award by 101 members of the national media.
“This really is the premier banquet, so it’s an honor to be back,” Manning said. “I’m just glad to be back playing football again. I appreciate Coach Cutcliffe being here to introduce me. That’s what makes this banquet so unique, that they allow you to bring someone to introduce you. I’ve had my dad, my brother Cooper, Tom Moore, Tony Dungy, Jim Caldwell — it’s nice to have my old college coach here as well.”
Tags: NFL 101 Awards, Peyton Manning
I agree with AB. He is a better guard then tackle and they are in a spot to get the best tackle available.
Britton Colquitt is a RFA correct.
I think browns need to seriously consider Steelers Wallace. That will put em over the top. Greg Little drops way too much passes and massaquoi is always injured. But Norwood, and Jordan emerged last year, add wallace and they could be pretty stacked. They got the run game down packed and the D is pretty good. Some other holes too that a good draft could fill. They get decent play from their TEs but they sure could use a better one.
TRB
Thats correct AB.
If they take Joeckel and move Albert to LG Smiths blindside will be well protected.
I personally believe Britton is better than Dustin but maybe im just biased
TRB
I just expected KC to be so much better last season and now they’re making me worried. I want the division to be competitive and all, but wow, they’ve been busy!
No, TRB, I think that Britton is better too. But we might BOTH be biased!
Now Britton will want the same money as his older brother. Yikes!
Strand, maybe you’re right, but kickers are people too!!!
I believe Brotton will remain a Denver Bronco.
Lol Britton wont get the same dough as his bro and not becasue he is NOT the better punter but becasue for soem reason year in and out, Dustin gets more accolades that Britton, so he can reference his 2012 probowl season. We got the young spry of the two brothers tho. Crazy … Dustin was drafted in the 3rd rd, Britton went undrafted. Funny how that works.
TRB
NFL players make alot, some more than others, but id gladly be a punter or a kicker. Dustin is gonna make 18mil in 5 years for example, and as a punter can play past 40 and leave the game unscaithed with a pile of money. Sure you wont win any popularity contest, less people will buy your jersey but u get the money health and if you are lucky some rings to boot…. pun intended lol
TRB
Lol. “To Boot”… Good one TRB.
Clady is as good as they come. Heck. He’s great. A proven commodity. And reliable. An anchor. I think it’s not a wise idea to dangle him like they are doing.
I saw it coming though. After turning down the contract offer. Having a Monster season in his contract year. Sure his shoulder injury is a bit concerning. But realistically, it’s not an ankle or knee. Which would be a cause for MAJOR concern. If long is asking for 11 million a year, it’s not unreasonable for Clady to ask for 12/year. He’s worth it. Even more honestly. And he should get it.
2 first round picks sound nice. Especially with the rookie wage scale. But it’s not a guarantee that those two first round picks will equal the worth of Clady to our franchise. (See the Cutler deal).
What are the key components of any superbowl contending team-
Franchise QB
Pass Rushing Force
Lockdown CB and
Elite LT
We have those components. I say a few key FA signings, a solid draft and the hunger/drive after a disappointing end to the season and we are Superbowl contenders.
Heck, Vegas already believes we are. Why mess with the dynamics?
The Denver Broncos will be picking at #32 for the 2014 draft.
I’m listening to 104.3 The Fan and just heard that the DT from the Chicago Bears Henry Milton is the nephew of Ray Crockett our CB from the Super Bowl years. Now thats cool! I didn’t know that until now.
My 1st round wish list in this order;
1. Eddie Lacy RB
2. Datone Jones DE
3. Margus Hunt DE
4. Desmond Trufant CB
Hey everyone. Issuing commentary on the hot topics in the blog:
first, I think that it would be a huge mistake to let any team trade for Clady. LT is such a hard position to play and because of that fact drafting one of the caliber that Clady is at is extremely difficult. Also, I forget who said it, but someone earlier on the blog said that his value is measured by the value of Manning, and I could not agree more. Manning is an old QB with a few lingering concerns about his neck. If he would get hurt then our season is probably over unless Osweiler pulls a Kaepernick on us.
second, I am usually not a fan of taking “developmental” prospects or prospects with not much starting or just game experience (Tebow, Ayers). That being said, I am falling head over heels for Margus Hunt. He will most likely be drafted as a 5-tech simply because of his size, but I feel that his athleticism is a great fit for a 4-3 defense such as us. I also love the Peppers comparisons some fellow bloggers have been throwing out there. However, my first round wants are still mainly 1. Desmond Trufant/ Eddie Lacy, and then 2. Manti Te’o/ Margus Hunt.
And finally, Alex Smith should be a very happy man today. He gets a solid target in Bowe and much needed protection in Albert. I really am looking forward to playing him this next year. I am very interested to see how he performs under Andy Reid, the QB guru.
Active day on the blog.. If Wolfe puts on a few lbs. and moves inside FT, and we bring in another pass rusher via FA or the draft (preferable taller), we’ll finally get that 4 man rush, which is Tom Brady’s Achilles heel. Get. It. Done.
if we get a pass rusher I’d like to draft Datone Jones DE from UCLA. He is unstoppable.
You’ll never hear me complain about drafting the best available pass rusher, and we’d be crazy not to let JDR/Fox pick one.
Datone will be drafted somewhere between #20 and #32 overall in the 1st round. He had a monster Combine and lit it up, he’s moving up the mock charts fast.
I’ll have to look further into Jones, but I like what I have read. I have no problem if we go pass rush 1st round, but we need a bigger one, opposite Dumervil. This is why Freeney won’t work IMO.
On the KC getting better topic, they have had some good players, just rough coaching/management.. Reid will restore order, which I think will prepare us better for the post season.
The Denver Post has reported that the Broncos are wanting to put the 2nd round tender on Britton Culquitt. Sweet!
Thats such a shaft, i think he has earned a contract, just business i suppose.
TRB
Did I mention…not interested in Teo…really!!!
I’m really interested in seeing Rottweiler! (Brock Osweiler)
Asta Prater!
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000147039/article/northern-iowa-wr-sinkfield-reportedly-runs-419-40
A 4.19 40 time was posted by Northern Iowa WR at the Minnesota pro day yesterday.
Von Miller —>
@MillerLite40: This is why we win the Super Bowl 2013. My little cousin Jeremiah came out of a coma frm a car wreck In west Tx I ❤ U http://t.co/h0VqmIePaM
@MillerLite40: You can post this where ever.. Denver broncos will win the Super Bowl 2013 #4UJEREMIAH #IGUARANTEEIT58 if you are with us Retweet
Chris Gronkowski will not receive a tender from the Broncos. Lance Ball may receive an original round tender and Chris Clark may as well but still unknown as the 1.3 million original round tender is much more than the norm for 4th year backups in the NFL. The norm is just over 700K.
So on top of Von’s Super Bowl prediction I have this —>
In case you need a Peyton Pep Talk because it’s the offseason —> http://t.co/zvZVdazCiv
I love my quarterback!!
Denver has 6 picks this year (6th rounder sent to Philly) and are unlikely to get an compensatory picks. If the Broncos want more picks they will likely trade players and trade down from 28.
Dolphins make big jump in negotiations with Brian Hartline. Now much closer to extension done and signed. Said to be around 6 mil a year. Yesterday Dolphins wernt willing to go more than 4 mil a year.
Happy for VM Nephew! a blessing indeed. but at the same time imma need him to be more humbling with his predictions. Sure we all believe that, and we know it but its usually taboo for a play to blast it … for his sake i hope we take, should have last year.
impressive 40. too bad he didn’t get invited to the combine. No one ever beleives times that are not combine times, but he is ridiculously fast none the less, ill watch his highlight vid when i get a chance. He could be a great slot option for us in later rounds. He might also go undrafted, who knows, but the way the NFL worships 40s, he will get drafted. If this was a few years back, the raiders would have used their number 3 over pick on him. But i hear he flashes a decent route running tree, and at 6’1 he could successfully go deep or kill the slot. Defintitely an interesting prospect that might have been more lauded and more developed if he went to a top Division school.
TRB
Lol his QB is pretty horrible, he adjusts very well to poorly thrown passes in his “Highlights”. Even makes some spectacular catches. Dunno which round he goes or if he is even drafted but i like rooting for the underdogs and the unknowns.
AB, I saw that in the DP this morning. It almost FA, one more week until then.
New blog btw