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
The Bears are a team that could seriously use Cladys services.Don’t want to see him go though.
Yeah, Bears fans have been bombarding Clady on twitter about it… He laughs at them and says no. It’s funny.
Ooops,meant Da Bears
Or is it Duh! Bears
Well said Alaska, We get two 1st rounders. Thats a hefty price! YIKES!
http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/3/4/4063030/dashon-goldson-nfl-free-agency-demands
Dashon Goldson 28, seeking 8million a year. Something like a 5yr 32 million dollar contract. Is he worth it? Sound off.
Later days,
TRB
LOL! Hilarious!
Not only that Strand but the team would be 10+ million into Clady. He is completely worth it dont get me wrong but its a lot to give especially with the two first rounders. A good portion of a teams cap space and picks.
Would be nice to see some of our higher paid players decide they want to stay where they have a darn good chance of winning a SB and choose getting a ring over gettin’ that huge money.
Thats far too much for a Safety.
Cant lie, 2 first for clady would be tempting … and adequate for a gauranteed sure thing LT with pro bowls under his belt, no drama and young. But if Manning is the franchise … we don’t need a rook protecting him. Imagine if the rams for example, who are tired of watching bradford eat dirt, get a guy like clady, and give up there 2 first round picks this year. No stellar quality but alot of solid looking guys and depth this draft. But like most, rather keep clady. Its a win win either way.
TRB
I can see him asking for 8 but settling for 6 million a year with probowl incentives and the sort. But when u say your number you gotta start high … in his case 8 … but im sure many teams wont be willing to pay it and eventually he will settle for the six with incentives.
TRB
and correction that would be a 4* year 32 mill contract.
Clady’s value to the Broncos is measured by the value of Peyton. Do you risk the franchise? Never happen.
If no teams bite on what he is asking, then the teams set the price on what he’s worth. Its the same story with Reggie Bush, he is asking for too much also, the NFL teams will let him know what he’s worth. HaHa!
My choice is keeping Clady hands down!
Wolfe, it’s just the same with Peyton. You don’t risk the franchise, hence the reason we won’t trade him or let Clady go.
Five minutes and the deadline is done!
Cat, is it snowing in your neck of the woods? It is here in Colorado Springs.
There ya go, Kansas City. FA starts next Tuesday.
No, it snowed while I was sleeping, but it’s all melted now.
Bowe said he’d love to catch some footballs from Peyton Manning as a Denver Bronco.
It just started here.
Yes he did, Strand. Yes he did.
The Ravens will go 8-8 in 2013! LOL
Ok, they figured it out. Wy I was worried about it I do not know. LOL
@AdamSchefter: Chiefs didn’t use tag on WR Dwayne Bowe because they didn’t have to. Chiefs and Bowe have reached agreement on a five-year deal.
@ProFootballTalk: Chiefs tag Branden Albert, per league source.
Raiders do not tag anyone!
No way you get alex smith and let your receiver go. What alex smith seirously needs tho … is a TE like vernon davis.
TRB
@AdamSchefter: Chiefs also reached agreement on long-term deal with P Dustin Colquitt. Three potential free agents, all three taken care of.
Id like the broncos to sign a TE like Fred Davis of the Redskins … wouldn’t cost much. Coming off an injury but his potential is really high. Don’t really need a TE but he’d be a great addition.
TRB
Well, it sounds like we’re going to make a “splash” in Free Agency according to multiple NFL reporters. I have no idea what that means.
Not surprising by KC they tagged Albert since they got Bowe. Was expected theyd get one deal done and tag the other. The surprise is who how it went. Was expected to be the other way around lol
Now with Albert back to they move him inside where he can be better and take Joeckel or take someone else and keep Albert at LT or trade down?
Cat the Raiders coudnt. They are still over the cap lol
The K.C. Chiefs are not a horrible team. They have solid players with quite a few holes to fill. The Chiefs had poor coaching and a bad D last year. This year they should be somewhat back on the map, especially with Andy Reid as their HC.
Jared cook also didnt get tagged … another good TE prospect. If we are looking that is.
TRB
LOL of course the Raiders are over the cap. smh
Cook should end up a Ram. He was best when Fisher was the HC and the Rams need a TE bad.
Don’t get me wrong on this. I want to keep Clady hands down but I think it is LESS important than some of you do because we have Manning.
The reason is Manning’s quick decision making and release. Manning has always had the ball out of his hands quickly. Therefore the LT does not have to hold off the defender as long. On top of that, Manning is very good at protection schemes and bringing a TE or WR over to help when needed.
With that said, please sign Clady long term.
Strand, you’re backwards on that. The Kansas City defense was actually much better than you think it was. They couldn’t get anything done offensively, save Jamaal Charles.
They had to place the Tag on Albert, he’s a monster LT. Nice move by Andy Reid.
RH manning is not as quick as he used to be … even so … with that neck and just age overall .. the less blindside hits the better. Thats why Clady must stay. But i agree with you … for 2 firsts, I wouldn’t shudder too much if we lost clady, He is important but 2 firsts from the right team can buy us 2 studs if used right. IMO.
TRB
I think we should be more afraid of KC this year than anyone else in our division, but that’s just me. Not that they can beat us, but I think they’re going to be much better.
The Chiefs pass defense was rather tough. Bad run D. Bad offense due to no QB. Only good thing was their run game when they were able to hold onto the ball.
Strand Albert is a good LT. But would be better inside IMO.
I think the Ravens will be 8 and 8 as well. Im looking for the Browns to finally win that division for the first time in like forever.
TRB
@AdamSchefter: Dustin Colquitt is now highest-paid punter in NFL. He reached agreement with Chiefs on a 5-yr, $18.75 million deal, including $8.9 mil gtd.
Oooops, yeah your right. I had it backwards. The Only key guys on their O is, Albert, Bowe, and their stud RB.
If they didnt get the Smith trade done then it is unlikely Bowe wouldve agreed to stay in KC.
Browns have a talented defense (Need some pieces of course) Their biggest issue is lack of offensive weapons at WR and TE and need better decision making from their QB.
Definitely agree with that, AB!
We cannot match that deal for Britton… He’s a RFA right?