JD10367 |
08-12-2012 06:17 AM |
Watched the first drive of the Donks on the NFL Network's replay of the game. IMO Manning looked pretty damn good. His passes were a little too emphatic perhaps, but that's to be expected given the new situation he's in (not to mention possibly trying to overcompensate for his diminished arm). His passes were on target for the most part, even the pick near the end zone (which could've been caught, and would've easily been caught if he'd taken a little off of it). Manning's abilities to direct his teammates can't be overlooked; it's like having an extra coach out there. (As a Pats fan I used to make fun of his gesticulating, figuring he couldn't possibly be doing as much out there as a "field general" as the talking-head suckups called him, but we all saw what happened to Indy without him at the helm. He really is just that good.) Even disputing the talent level of the Broncos, a relatively healthy and effective Manning could probably take the world's crappiest football team and get them 6 wins. I don't see an issue with predicting the Broncos to go 9-7 or 10-6 without much struggle. Problem is, they're in a division where the Chiefs and Chargers can say the same thing.
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