Our interview series continues as we lead up to training camp. During the recently-completed OTAs (organized team activities)and mini-camp, 850 KOA spoke with Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley (BS), who is back with the team this year.
850 KOA: You’re going to get this question about 500 times in training camp but after OTAs, how do you feel?
BS: I feel great. I feel as good as I’ve felt in five or six years. Everything is feeling good. That could change but right now I feel really good.
850 KOA: You suffered a pretty serious quad injury with the Giants last year and took the season off to rehab it. That seems to have been a good decision for you.
BS: Yeah. It wasn’t like I had any offers to go play anywhere any way. (Chuckling) I wasn’t in any rush. It feels great right now. I took the time off and it healed up fine and has given me no problems.
850 KOA: You are familiar with Peyton Manning from your time playing with him in Indianapolis. Does that familiarity help you at all?
BS: I think so. Being with him for four years, you know what he expects. As far as that’s concerned, I do have a little bit of a head start and I can help the other guys. That’s what I’m trying to do, help those guys to know what to expect from him (and) know what he wants. Whatever I can do to try to help those guys understand and get better quicker and learn what he wants quicker, the better we’ll be off as a team.
850 KOA: 2006 was your last in Indianapolis with Peyton. How much change is there over the course of that time?
BS: It feels like back in the Indy days for me. It’s like it was last week. It’s great and brings back a lot of good memories. It feels good to be in the slot and look to the left or right and you see Peyton back there giving you signals and barking orders. It’s awesome. It couldn’t come from a better quarterback. It’s really nice to have that chance again to play with him.
850 KOA: What are some things that you know Peyton likes or demands from his wide receivers?
BS: He wants things to be as they’re written on the paper. If a route’s drawn up a certain way, he wants it run like that. He wants things (done) to perfection. There’s not any room for grey area or two or three yards short or two or three yards deep on certain routes. Be precise. Be where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there. If you are, he’s made a lot of people some very good careers.
850 KOA: When Peyton is at the line, he looks like he is calling the play from there. Do you have to be more attentive to last-second changes as a receiver when Peyton is the quarterback?
BS: Oh absolutely. You always have to be in tune with what he’s doing back there. It’s a lot of practice. We’re all trying to get on the same page so when we go into training camp and go into the season it’s second nature. You have to be a lot more attentive when Peyton is back there than any other quarterback I’ve been around.
850 KOA: Are there certain types of players that a Peyton Manning-led offense would look for? If yes, do you see any of those types of players with the Broncos?
BS: A Peyton receiver would be someone that works hard, is willing to get the extra mile, very attentive to detail, likes to be precise because that’s what he expects. I think we have those receivers and we have the running backs and the tight ends that are like that. With that mix, it makes for the opportunity to have a very good offense.
850 KOA: Back in March when we spoke with you, you told the story of Peyton coming out for his visit with the Broncos and coming down to see you in Castle Rock (Colorado). You guys threw a football in a park. Since he signed here, have you thought about inviting him back down to Castle Rock to throw the ball around a little bit?
BS: That’s funny because he actually mentioned a couple of weeks ago that he drove by that park. He was going somewhere over there in the neighborhood and drove by the park again and had a laugh about it. We might have to have a one-year reunion of that.
850 KOA: You come back to the Broncos this year and you are the veteran of the wide receiving corps. What do you expect to accomplish this year?
BS: I expect to go out and play good football and contribute. That’s why I’ve come back and put in a lot of work so far. I’m going to continue to put in a lot more work going into camp. I expect to go into camp and contribute and make this team and hopefully make a lot of plays and help the Broncos win some football games.
850 KOA: In practice, as you have worked against this veteran defensive secondary the Broncos have put together, what does it look like to you?
BS: It’s great. That’s what you want and what you need in practice. That’s only going to make you better. For us, it’s been a lot of fun and a lot of great competition.
Training camp is just around the corner. How excited are you about the prospects for this Broncos’ offense this season?
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Mike
Tags: 850 KOA, Brandon Stokley, Mike Rice
Thanks for the interview Mike,
I think Stokes can be a productive player in the slot for us this year……….gaining those crucial 7-8 yards needed on third downs. With our wideouts, I think it also opens up some potential big plays down the middle. I have a feeling we’ll be a tough O to completely cover, given PM’s ability to throw the ball to a WR, a two TE set, or even the screen to a RB (something I’ve been aching to see). As long as these guys run their routes correctly, PM will get them the ball and we will be a force to reckon with.
Stokley is going to be a great mentor for our young WR’s. Pretty interesting spot to be in, being asked to teach up the very ones who are looking to take his job. It says a lot about this guy IMO, and hopefully Stokely can fend off the young bucks, and remain on the roster for the whole year!
I love this guy. Thanks for the interview.
I’m “Stoked” about Stokely!!! From the first when he had the awareness to catch the deflected pass for a crucial TD (against the Bengals) and in the process, going across the field before going into the endzone to eat up a few more seconds on the clock. Experience, work ethic, class on and off the field, chemestry with one of the best QB’s of all time in Manning, willingness to metor those who could potentially take his job. What a class guy! What about working with Manning at some random field to what ever you can! Hopefully they can all stay healthy for a progressive and productive season. I’m working on thinking up a nickname for the three receivers I think will be on the field (simular to “The Three Amigos” back in the day). I can’t hardly wait until we play the Raiders, Chiefs, and Chargers this year especially!!!
I have never been more excited for a Bronco season with an elite quarterback I expect the Broncos to dominate their division at least and I am hopeful and confident thatDenver will appear in the superbowl. its going to bean exciting season to watch Denver dominate the Competition Raiders are going down! If you don’t like the Broncos you can get out!