Peyton Manning chose the Denver Broncos for a number of reasons. But Head Coach John Fox isn’t looking past one of the biggest reasons — Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway.
“He’s definitely a legend here — he’s a legend in the NFL, but I look at his success,” Fox said of Elway. “The guy has been a winner in everything he’s done, both on and off the field. He’s extremely smart. A lot of people weren’t sure because of his lack of experience in an executive role, but I think he’s done a tremendous job, and I’m sure (he) was helpful in getting Peyton.”
Manning admitted as much during his introductory press conference, citing Elway along with Fox and Owner/CEO Pat Bowlen as determining factors.
“Certainly I have had a relationship with John and it goes back a long way, but I’ve seen John now in a different role,” he said of Elway. “I’ve always seen him as a quarterback, never had to play against him, but that’s always the role I saw him as. Now I’ve seen him as a leader of a franchise and I really like what he had to say.
“Everyone knows what kind of competitor he is as a player, and I can tell he is just as competitive in this new role. That got me excited, I know he’s going to do everything he can do to help this franchise win and it certainly helps with leadership at the top in Mr. Bowlen. Coach Fox is a guy I have known a long time. I know he’s hungry to win. I’m just looking forward to being a part of that.”
In his new role, Elway said he’s harkening back to what former Head Coach Mike Shanahan did for him late in his career and looking to do the same for Manning — “give him the best opportunity to be successful.”
That parallel wasn’t lost on Manning.
“I think certainly John knows what it’s like to play quarterback at the ages of 35 and 36, and so certainly that helps.”
Now the two quarterbacks are under one roof, and Elway said he can’t wait to help Manning see similar success late in his career.
“I just know he is going to play great football,” Elway said. “That is when I played my best football, the older I got. (When I was) 37 and 38 were the two best years we had in my career.”
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
As of his introductory press conference, Manning hadn’t met many of his new Broncos teammates. But he’s getting there.
“I met Eric Decker on my visit,” Manning said, cracking a smile. “Elvis Dumervil and Champ Bailey have been blowing up my phone — hopefully that will die down a little bit and I can get to know them in person.”
As for his new receivers, he’s excited to get to work.
“They’re young and talented,” he said. “I’ve played with guys that age before. I can tell by watching these guys on tape that they love football. They’re excited about it. That’s all rewarding to me, getting on the same page with these receivers in the offseason and seeing that come together on the playing field. I look forward to that part of it, getting together and talking football. These guys are going to have to help me too. I will lean on them. I’m the new guy here.”
Manning agreed that Demaryius Thomas is likely the tallest receiver he’s ever thrown to, which is “new and exciting.”
“He’s big,” Manning smiled. “The guy’s got a ton of talent and a ton of potential. I’m looking forward to helping him. I’m looking forward to having him help me as well.”
Will he throw with them during the offseason?
“Certainly, the rules have changed in terms of what you’re allowed to do in the NFL, so I sort of need to get some clarity on that. But I’m going to do whatever I can to get with these guys and talk with these guys.”
“The sooner we can get started on that, the better.”
-Gray Caldwell
MM15 – Agreed, it’s a great year to have a defensive draft with both JF & JDR on board!
2012 draft theme: DEFENSIVE FRONT 7 & RB!!!!!!!!!
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/09000d5d827e13f2/article/nfl-distributes-compensatory-draft-picks-to-23-clubs
none for Denver
I just hope the look on Peyton’s face is from intensity and not pain. In some of these 23 photos, it looks as though it still hurts him a bit to throw. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t. Looks can be deceiving…..
http://photos.denverpost.com/mediacenter/2012/03/photos-denver-broncos-peyton-manning-gets-in-some-throwing-monday-march-26-2012/32542/#name%20here
Tide, looks to me like hes conentrating. When you look at still pics of QBs throwing, everyone of them are making a face, its just what they do.
Im sure its from intensity/concentration. A lot of QBs make face like that when practicing. Pain may also be a part of it but we just dont know. It is kinda nice seeing the Denver Broncos on his shirt.
Maybe so, Miller. I’ve seen plenty other photos of him throwing in games that don’t look like that, but, maybe so….
Quit stirring the pot Tide!
I don’t think he would be throwing if there was pain.. I think that’s why he waited so long to resume throwing the ball, to be able to throw pain free.. Just my opinion
31 days until the draft…………………………. ughhhhhhhh
everybody say that we have a tough schedule next year.. its a new year and teams are different.. some of the playoff teams from last year might not be that good this year.. on paper, we have a tough schedule but i think we can win most of our games.
bnasty – the AFC West plays the NFC South, so we all have tough games.. Goal number one is to win the division… Too bad BT will be on the wrong side of that one…… Lol
OT, is that what I’m doing?
I would hope he wouldn’t be, but I’ve read other sources that say there’s still a certain amount of pain there with the nerve regeneration. Who knows for sure? I’ve had nerves cut for surgery before. It is painful while they grow back together, and it can take weeks and/or months. Peyton will fight through the pain though, if there is still any. Just thinking about what Eric Decker said:
“He looked real good, though he probably won’t admit that he’s feeling good or feeling back to the way he wants to be,” Decker said.
Manning told The Denver Post last week that he is a “long way” to feeling like his presurgery self, but that he is confident — as are his doctors — that he will regain full strength in the nerves and muscles in his right side.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_20258496/peyton-manning-works-out-broncos-teammates-at-valor
Taking the division games out, below is the AFC West opponents.. Our schedule doesn’t really jump out as being that much difficult IMO, especially since things change from year to year so much in the NFL
Goal #1: Win the AFC West
Broncos:
Browns
Ravens
Steelers
Bengals
Texans
Patriots
Saints
Falcons
Bucs
Panthers
Chargers:
Buccaneers
Saints
Jets
Ravens
Steelers
Bengals
Browns
Titans
Falcons
Panthers
Chiefs:
Ravens
Browns
Bengals
Steelers
Colts
Bills
Falcons
Saints
Panthers
Buccaneers
Raiders:
Panthers
Falcons
Dolphins
Browns
Bengals
Steelers
Ravens
Jaguars
Saints
Buccaneers
Tide… Hope you enjoy your time at the beach!
There are times in here that if a guy were to read it would almost be silly not to invest in some Superbowl tickets… I think their helmet straps are too tight personally… but at least they have the helmet…
I just would like someone here to name ONE player that has come back from a similar injury at any point in his professional football career to be the player that he was pre-injury… I can’t even find an example of a Player making it a full season…
I was doing a little reading, and it is very similar to the Injury that ended Al Wilson’s career, and Micheal Irvin… I’m trying to find that one story that says the 18m was a smart investment… but short of repeating what Peyton use to do on the field I’m not finding much hard evidence….
How bout Brian Dawkins?
BT Its cause there hasnt been anyone to come back to play at the same level as they did before injury.
AB, whats up congradulations bro on the news. Yah, basically in any sport when your throwing something your going to make a face. Could of been a deep out route or something who knows. Negativity on the site gets old, all just speculation, what ifs, sounds like the media lol.
Even if peyton gets hurt the very first play of the season, money well spent, the circus has left town, its in New York now. Now we can groom the QB for the future, a conventional pocket passer the way it should be.
Well, if anyone can do it, I believe Peyton can. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Thanks, OT, Been waiting on hubby to get in from work, and he’s almost here. You guys have fun.
Tide, thats all we can do, everyone that plays the game can get hurt on any given play. If we would of won against NE, TT wouldnt of been able to play in the AFC Championship game, he got pretty beat up, He could brake a leg or something on his first play, just saying. But Yah were just going to have to wait and see thats all.
Thanks millertime things are going to change for me for sure lol.
Being a Denver fan i sure hope Manning can come back from it. Dont want to see that 18 mil be wasted basically.
There honestly no telling what can happen until you see him in training camp and/or til the season starts. But if I do recall Brian Dawkins had a pretty bad Neck injury while with the Eagles, and after all was said and done when we got him he still played full intensity, and might I add he was 36 when he joined us.
Thanks Turtle. Be sweet.
Thats Right , its going to change thats for sure lol, kids are auwsome brother youll enjoy every minute of it im sure. If he doesnt pan out, then we send him on his way we lose 18mil one yr rt. Then we can groom who ever we get in the draft and move on.
Dawkins didnt have a neck injury in Philly. His first neck injury occurred in 2010. In Philly he had back and leg injuries. His neck injury were just strains until this past year.
True millertime. Only issue though is not only do my girlfriend and i live together its with my parents and my brother who has his three kids Tuesday-Friday and its only a three bedroom house lol. Weve been waiting to get our own place till shes done with school. Its a pretty packed house lol.
Also we can cut him loose but the 18 mil couldve been spent elsewhere if he gets hurt and have to cut him loose.
Like i said i hope he is able to play and play well.
I’ll wait to see Peyton in preseason games that will tell us if he’ll be to play at full intensity.. Hopefully
As soon as we make Carnage happy, now we have an angry Turtle…… ughhhhhh….
This is only the 2nd yr with this new regime, didnt they say 3 to 4 yrs. Our D went from 32 to 20th last yr, now we have JDR Im sure hell put his stamp on it also, we picked up a couple of good players in FA, and we still have the Draft we will be ok.
but the injury was enough to get the better of an athlete like Sterling Sharpe also… the list goes on and on…
We are in uncharted waters now… and if you guys are comfortable betting your houses (considering you own one) on Manning being the same guy he use to be then good for you… I can’t do it…
OT, I know bro, cant wait till everyone is on the same page, but that probably wont happen, if it did we wouldnt have a blog lol.
Sterling sharpes injury was completely different, hes on record explaining that.
BT, your talking like TT would of won the superbowl, he was 1-4 in his last 5 regular season starts, same record KO had to start the season, If raiders win the last game, were out of playoffs.
Willis McGahee suffered a MAJOR knee injury in college, and many thought he would never play again….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_wPOfTGegA
Let make a splash in the draft. trade up for trent richardson. He might fall out of the top ten if he gets past tampa. We can get a good DT later in the draft
The Bills still drafted him in the 1st round, eventhough it was known that he would not play that season (and maybe never)
OT, that was discusting brother lol, damn that looked like theismans injury.
Oh I was thinkin of this Biography of Brian Dawkins when he made the hit on the guy from the Redskins and got that stinger in his neck and couldnt return.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/philadelphia-eagles/09000d5d80dbd4e7/Super-Power
Still a Sweet video tho.
Miller – sorry about that… should have put a warning on that video….
BT – I can’t help pick up a condescending tone on your end… What gives?? What happened to one love in Broncos Country??
Im just trying to remain positive about the situation, like I said earlier, we dont know how he is gonna do til training camp or even the start of the season. Why is’nt anybody mentioning Adam Webber, Can’t he possibly be the next man up? They were talkin so highly of him last season when Tebow was here.
Yea I feel ya Tsunami, I cant help but feel like Im gettin bashed everytime I leave a comment on here. I mean C’mon, We’re all Broncos fans in here, show some love.
I have my hopes for Manning to play but the fact no one has really returned from serious neck injuries to play at a high level is alarming.
I dont see why trade up for TR when there are other RBs in the draft that will work just fine. I also dont see TR falling out of the top 10.
The people you need to release that hate on are the ones on NFL.com, that are bad mouthen our team, or the supposed fans that are bad mouthin the team and are following another team now cuz we traded Tebow, even though they are “Die Hard Fans” so they say. Haha
Twogunz, Ive seen that one before bro, its always nice watching it again tho thanx. Im very excited for the broncos future, manning or no manning, just being back to a solid conventional style makes me happy. Like I said a couple of days ago, last yr was the first time I ever fell asleep watching my broncos play.
I guess it’s a concern that no one came back from that injury (that we know of), but every injury is different for everyone.. It’s hard to compare similar injuries of varing degrees to different people, who may heal differently..
All I know is there were 12+ teams wanting to sign him, and all of the teams that made the final cut were very willing to sign him after getting an up close view and seeing his records.. That says something to me…
OT what you have to remember is that throwing on a empty field without defenders is different from throwing in actual game situations.
Wow that knee injury was sick! Had no idea that happened to Willis.
Even when our own recievers says hes looking good theirs still Questions of pain lmao. Hes getting no props going out their on his own, and organizing practice. If that was TT you wouldnt of heard the end of it, well you guys just saw someone with as much or more work ethic then TT.