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LEFT WING LOONS Title: Broncos' - ' upgrade ' ... to Peyton Manning --- is no passing fancy Broncos' upgrade to Peyton Manning is no passing fancy By Jeffrey Martin, USA TODAY ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – It was a seven-on-seven drill midway through a training camp session, essentially pitch-and-catch for any quarterback and his wide receivers. Denver quarterback Peyton Manning, warming up before the start of practice at the Broncos training facility, has created a vastly different atmosphere compared to last season's camp with Tim Tebow. Denver quarterback Peyton Manning, warming up before the start of practice at the Broncos training facility, has created a vastly different atmosphere compared to last season's camp with Tim Tebow. More than 4,000 fans wedged into the tree-shaded grassy banks overlooking the practice fields at Dove Valley, all eyes locked on Peyton Manning, the Denver Broncos' marquee offseason acquisition. Manning took the snap and, as only the former Indianapolis Colt seems to do, tap-danced in the pocket as he searched for an available target. After several seconds, and with several defenders in the near vicinity, Manning turned to his left and threw the football high and out of bounds. BLOG: Manning in an unfamiliar role as a fantasy sleeper The crowd roared. In fairness, the fans, more than 4,000 in four of the first five days here, cheered anything the four-time NFL MVP did. Exiting the training facility and trotting onto the field? Applause. Completing a short pass to tight end Jacob Tamme? More applause. But this response was different, almost an acknowledgement. Even during a mundane drill during a steamy late July practice, the roar was appreciation of a proper play from the quarterback, if not for a quarterback's proper play. After a season of Tim Tebow (and to a lesser extent, Kyle Orton) lined up behind center, a run-first experiment that steered the Broncos to an 8-8 record and an AFC wild-card upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Manning represents a notable upgrade at the position. "He knows where to put it and when to put it there. It's beyond impressive," tight end Joel Dreessn said of Manning's accuracy. In 2011, Tebow and Orton combined to connect on 51% of their passes for 2,708 yards, 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, with a passer rating of 73.5. In his worst statistical season, as a Colts rookie in 1998, Manning completed 57% of his passes for 3,739 yards, 26 touchdowns and 28 interceptions, with a 71.2 passer rating. An upgrade, surely, if he's healthy. Manning, 36, missed last season after multiple procedures to alleviate problems with his neck. Whether he can stand up to the physical contact has not been addressed. "Peyton, obviously, missing last season, he's getting himself back into football condition," is about all Broncos coach John Fox will say. Like the rest of the team's quarterbacks, Manning is off limits during practice. There has been no indication of how much action he might see during preseason, especially as he continues to lament how he's not anywhere near what he wants to be. "I'm going to try to get better every day, keep making progress," Manning said after his first training camp session. "I still have rehab to do, which I will continue to do throughout training camp and throughout the season. … I look forward to the next steps, to putting pads on, playing preseason games." Excitement level elevated by mere presence The Colts' loss — Indianapolis released Manning in early March — very well could be the Broncos' gain. The organization is reluctant to revisit the past year, especially the phenomena known as "Tebow-mania," focusing solely on the future. But running back Willis McGahee perhaps summed the mood best. "Just him being here excites everybody," McGahee said of Manning. "It lets us know the passing game is going to go to a whole other level from last year. We can't look back at the past year, at how the passing game was. We can't reflect on that — we can't. "But he's going to elevate guys — the receivers, the tight ends and the running backs coming out of the backfield." Through one week of training camp, Manning already has done that. Even as he continues the rust-removal process from a year off the field, Manning has been dead-on with his accuracy. "You know you have a guy that is going to get you in the right play. And if you get open, more times than not, the ball is going to be there for you where it is supposed to be," said wide receiver Brandon Stokley, who played with Manning for Indianapolis from 2003-06. The arm strength — never a Manning staple — remains in doubt. It was jarring as Manning uncorked a looping deep ball, then rookie quarterback Brock Osweiler unleashed a zero-trajectory dart in the same drill on the next rep. But Manning's intelligence and preparation is as good as ever. Osweiler might have the physical edge, but the second-round draft pick out of Arizona State won't be ready any time soon — he's being groomed as Manning's successor. "I'm in a great situation, no doubt about it," Osweiler said. "The greatest thing is to make sure I'm not wasting a day. I'm watching everything Peyton does, taking as many notes as I possibly can." Manning was hands-on last week, schooling the rookie on his preferred play-fake technique, demonstrating a couple of times before moving on. Later, after his offensive linemen sprung a few leaks in protection, there was a sideline meeting to straighten everything out. Manning constantly chatted with offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and quarterbacks coach Adam Gase. Fox beamed. Intending no disrespect to Tebow, Fox raved repeatedly about his new quarterback's ability to adjust based solely on what the defense was showing. "He can get you into a really good play versus not, you know what I mean?" Fox said. "That experience, the understanding of defense, the manipulation of the offense within the clock, under pressure, he does it as well or better than anybody. That part of it has been outstanding." Making everyone want to work harder None of that — we've all seen the histrionics at the line of scrimmage — is surprising, is it? "But to see it firsthand, daily, in the building and on the field — it's not a surprise but it's been a pleasure," Fox said. "It's better he's on my side." Dreessen agreed. He spent his last five seasons with the Houston Texans, facing Manning and the Colts twice a year in the AFC South. Every time, Dreessen said, it seemed as if the Texans stormed out to a 17-0 lead and "we'd end up somehow screwing up and losing the game." Recently, over a meal, Dreessen and Manning discussed those games, as well as being the new guys in town. It has been disorienting at times for Dreessen, who understands the expectations of being brought in as a free agent and is eager to please. Then how must it feel to be Manning, the hopes of a proud football city and organization hanging on his right arm? Or around his surgically-repaired neck. "His situation is obviously magnified," Dreessen said. Frustrated with himself as a recent practice was ending, Manning put himself through a series of field-wide sprints. "Our guys appreciate how good he is," Fox said. "They understand football, too." McGahee, who played with the Baltimore Ravens from 2007-10, likens Manning in stature to All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis. "He's one of those guys — you don't want to disappoint him, you know what I mean? What he's done, you have to show him respect," McGahee said. "He's made me work even harder. You don't want to be 'that guy.' You don't want to be the weak link. "He really challenges us all." Which might be what Manning, before the games start this fall, has provided most, establishing a mind-set for a team that is barely his. "The way he handles himself in the building, the film room, the practice field, the weight room, you just try to emulate what he does, because he's been so successful for a long period of time," wide receiver Eric Decker said. Fox spoke of how the defense, ranked 18th last year against the pass, is benefiting from its daily battles against Manning. "He raises all ships," Fox said. Obviously, the fans have responded. Before this season, the most that had visited Dove Valley on a single day was 3,103. As for merchandise, according to NFLShop.com, Manning's jersey was the top seller from April 1 through June 30. "He's been as advertised — and then some," Fox said.
Poster Comment: All of the defensive linemen - linebackers will be lickin their chops - flossin their teeth - gums ! A wolf pack trailing a bleeding bull ! Old players don't recover well !
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#1. To: BorisY (#0)
This guy had very serious neck problems. Anyone who has one or has had one knows how fragile the neck is - despite rehab. One shot by a blitzing LB or cheap shot by any number of NFL Neanderthal linemen wanting to make a name for themselves, and Peyton is done. He'll never make it thru the season.
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