A career is a compilation of moments, most of them pretty normal and a few that, if you are lucky, stand out as incredible, remarkable, even extraordinary events.
Those are the kinds of moments that have you remembering where you were when the event took place.
I have been fortunate enough to be part of the two greatest single player acquisition press conferences in Denver Broncos history, almost 30 years removed from each other.
The other Bronco who was present at both is John Elway.
At the first one, back in 1983, he was the guest of honor as he joined the team by trade from the Baltimore Colts.
Since then a lot has happened, including the move of the Colts from Baltimore to Indianapolis.
And now, here we are in 2012, somewhat of a surreal moment as we watched Broncos Executive Vice President of Football Operations and Pro Football Hall of Famer John Elway introduce his enormous and astonishing quarterback free agent signing—Peyton Manning, certain future Hall of Famer recently released by the Indianapolis franchise.
It can easily be argued that the four greatest moments in Broncos history are, in order: 1) the acquisition of John Elway, which set the stage for enormous success; 2) the win in Super Bowl XXXII; 3) the win in Super Bowl XXXIII; and 4) the acquisition of Peyton Manning, which again sets the stage for success.
At least, those four event would lead my list as the four greatest moments in the Broncos universe, and if one wonders why two of the greatest are player acquisitions rather than games, my response is that first you have to have a team. You have to have players, then you play. And when you have guys like Elway and Manning, you go into every game with a fighting chance, which is all you can ever hope for.
As the two stood there for pictures, with Manning holding his familiar number 18 jersey—in orange, as the Broncos return to orange as our primary home jersey color this year—it struck me that the two men represent 699 combined career regular-season touchdown passes. Elway retired with an even 300 and Manning comes into this season with 399.
John would be way to modest to acknowledge this, but in terms of accomplishment and celebrity at each end, the football executive and the football player, this might just stand as the biggest “get” of the greatest player by the greatest former player. I certainly cannot think of an NFL free agent acquisition ever, previously, made by someone who himself had the playing credentials of John Elway.
Baltimore Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome signed Shannon Sharpe, and both were Hall of Famers — but both were tight ends. I would submit that quarterback trumps tight end. As great as those players were, the Elway-Manning signing wins out.
In fact, we believe there has never been a signed contract with two Hall of Fame quarterbacks on it, as this one has.
Many years ago Broncos owner Pat Bowlen told me, “I want to be number one in everything.” The statement was so strong to me that I used it to lead his bio, and never took it out of his bio in all the years I produced it.
The statement is just as true today, and it was shown once again in the hiring of Elway to run football operations—has Denver sports ever had two more competitive guys leading a franchise? Certainly, none that has produced back-to-back world championships, as they did in 1997 and 1998.
With Elway in place, could any other executive representing the Broncos have attracted Peyton Manning here?
And is there a more popular players’ coach than John Fox?
And a rhetorical question if ever there was one—is there a more livable city in America than Denver for a young family?
And standing above all is that Denver wants to win—it starts with Mr. B. and permeates like a laser throughout the organization.
It was the creation of a perfect storm of positive feeling in Denver, an atmosphere that proved just right to attract the quarterback who unquestionably is the greatest free agent in NFL history
This was a move with cosmic scope, and one that will alter the careers of individuals and the directions of franchises, as adjustments now must be made to the dynamic Denver move.
That day back in 1983 was different, because there just was not the technological media that exists now. But it was still big, and we did not try to hold it. We did the press conference at 10:30 p.m., and everybody came. The Denver Nuggets were playing a game that night, and the next day their PR director told me when the info starting filtering in about 8:30, the evacuation of press row was immediate and almost complete.
It was a different time and a different day for Peyton Manning, with 25 television camera, local and national, 21 local radio talk shows present in one way or another, along with Peter King of Sports Illustrated, the NFL Network, ESPN, and the largest and most successful football web site in the Rocky Mountain time zone, DenverBroncos.com.
It was streamed live, televised live, and produced hundreds of thousands of words, virtually instantaneously. Back in 1983, the Elway press conference literally happened just after the local TV news signed off, and considering the time change from east coast to mountain, there were people waking up the next day in New York unaware of the Elway signing and press conference.
But for all the differences created by technology and the passage of time that three decade inevitably bring, there is one thing about them that is absolutely the same—these were two of the greatest days in Broncos history.
Welcome to Denver, Peyton Manning.
Tags: John Elway, Peyton Manning
I have spent the better part of the last 3 years imagining the kinda team we coulda been with cutler marshall royal sheff and Hillis. Before the McD error, I shall wonder the same about Timmy. I could see him in many Jerseys but seeing him in that Green Jersey will disgust me lol
TRB
I like Lamar Miller in the 2nd. I think he provides a good compliment to willis. Plus I like seeing fast backs, and 4.38 isnt chris johnson, but thats fastttt
Its an ugly green too TRB. Its going to be weird to see.
Doug Martin can do it all IMO hes a feature back. A lot like Rice. He could be the future back. I like Miller too but Miller would be my second option in the second round.
It is an ugly green, but I am glad he will still have the number #15. That way he can keep the W15H name for the kids.
Man I was so happy when we got PM but now we lose Tebow for a 4th rounder? Swapn 6th & 7th. I think for a 4th rounder we should of kept him.
I hate the jets and i would of cheered for Tebow almost anywhere out side of the AFC West. Mc Danial gave up 2 picks plus took him in the 1st.
tnalen I really think if negotiated right we culdve got a 3rd from the jags.
What did I miss? LOL
JasonLa Canfora:
Elway inherited Tebow and in essence dealt TT and a 7th rnd pick for Manning (on a great contract), plus a 4th and a 6th and $2.53M. Wow!
mikew007 oh nothing just people being called a fool some more LOL
What about Terrance Ganaway of Baylor? Would he be a possible RB? He averaged a lot of yards per carry. Not a burst of speed, but a good big back.
He would add a lot of size to our run game. But i have a feeling Washington will go after him. Not because of RG3 but because Shannys view on the bigger backs.
I dont think it was really about the compensation, they just wanted the so-called “tebow circus” out of Denver, and while I like tim tebow as a great guy I still think it was the right move for the organization
Sad I missed it. I figured he would have scrambled on over to the Jets Website by now.
Thank you Tim Tebow for a wonderful season!!!! Thank you for bringing back the Broncos from the basement. Thank you for BEATING THE Dikes! I really enjoyed seeing you beat them in person. My two 5 yr old sons have your Jersey and you were their favorite player.”Tebow yeahhh” is what they would say when they saw you. I will really miss that. I will miss you thanking your team mates, coaches & the organization after the win.
B4Life…very much the reason! That and going 1 for 8 against KC etc….Just not Elway’s cup of tea.
I understand that we just lost 600 yard, but Willis had 1200 and it wasn’t all because of the option. With Manning I believe the running game will open up more. Not to mention outlets to backs, quick slants to everybody, screens and better utilization of our tight ends. I simply believe we will have a better CONSISTENT running game this year.
AB you are so right we could of/ should of gotten a 3rd for Tebow. I bet he will do great in Tony’s ” wildcat “
Robby Tebow implied that Tim liked the fact that all the FO and coaches and owners at Jets wanted him and were in agreement about wanting him. Sounds like he learned more in Denver than people thought.
lost 600 running but gained 2500 passing….
well look how good our running game was last year and that was against 8 and sometimes 9 man boxes, no possible way a defense can do that with Peyton Manning at QB or he will torch them
AB I wish we could have gotten a 3rd too but really I think most teams new we would cut him if we couldn’t trade him. I am okay with 4th and 6th….and Peyton!
Singer McGahee had a lot more yards with Tebow at QB than Orton. Yea we ran the ball a lot more then but Tebow was a big part of McGahee doing so well. We are going to need another RB to help McGahee
We will add 2 RB’s soon….
Oh i aint complaining about what we got, but I wish we could negotiated better and got a 3rd but its done and im glad with what we got. Better than nothing.
Its more like lost 600 rushing yards gained 3200 passing.
And don’t forget, in the last five years Peyton has won one more play off game than Tebow…
LOL I was going to put 3000 but I didn’t want to start another war!
Part of the reason we had so many rushing yards is cause Tebow averaged 123 passing yards a game…not complaining, just a different style, let say.
Wel thank you Texan….good to know!
I’m not arguing about Tebows effect on the run…and i agree that we need another back (although I like Fannin), but i believe that our running game will be better this year because teams will have to defend the pass.
singer we just wont be rushing as much….
So any word on any other FA signing?? Was Porter in today ? We should of kept Bunk.
Passing game will open up the run for sure. Our offense is going to be very good this year! Top 5 in the league.
I agree, but i think it will easier running. And I believe Manning will be more open to running coming of a missed season. A great running game keeps QBs healthy.
Im not hot on Gay. More of a nickle back.
Not to mention the no-huddle! Tired defenses at altitude!
66: agree on Gay.
Manning does not need to run. All we would need is one bad hit and he would go down. Besides he has such a quick release in passing that you will not see him needing to run.
Porter was in today i believe so was Gay. Gay is deciding between three teams Cards Tatas and Denver. Saturday is visiting soon. Stokley has been in Denver. Clark visits soon and Tamme visited today i believe. McClain Hayes and Trufant i dont know what happened with them. Haine and Caldwell were signed.
Texan we arnt talking about Manning running were talking about our running game with McGahee and other backs.
Peyton passed for 4700 yards in 09! Decker and Thomas are doing backflips!
I wish Eddie Royal had stayed! Loved our WR’s.
The last several years Manning has averaged about 20 rushing yards per season.
i hate seein tebow leave i honestly felt he shouldve stayed n denver n learned 4rm a great passin qb like peyton provin he was willing 2 develop but i dont understand hes gon b a back up wer he cant develop i wish tim well hes always a bronco i just hope n pray peyton dont get hurt
just saw a mock draft with us picking kendall wright at 25 and brandon thompson in the second. At first glance I was surprised, but after thinking about it, I think Kendall Wright will be an elite receiver. He solidified being a first round pick by running a 4.43 at the baylor pro day today, and I watched a handful of baylor games and he definitely has the speed and made some incredible catches. And after reading about brandon thompson he sounds like what were looking for on the interior DL. Great run stuffer, and explosive at 6’2 311. Not much of a pass rush his senior year, but looked good rushing the passer in the senior bowl. Interesting scenario, adding a weapon like wright would make our receiving core top 5-10 IMO
If only we would have resigned Bunk this scenario would have been Ideal!
We signed Hanie? Whatever I guess.
Saturday is coming tomorrow…unless that changed.
B4L im not sold on a WR early. Im not even sold on a WR this year. IMO we just just get them in FA draft defense and a RB.
HAHA TEXAN! No one is talking about Peyton running! LOL
My bad! lol not enough sleep and too much excitement!
alaska i agree. d al the way and a rb. sounds good to me
No on Drafting a WR early! My vote.