Chiefs Great Manning Read. Closer To Reality - Page 4

kczoo · 03-20-2012, 05:46 AM

PEYTON MANNING BRINGS LEADERSHIP, BULL'S-EYE TO BRONCOS By: Steve Wyche | NFL Network Published: March 19, 2012 at 4:33 PM

The immediate gushing by Denver Broncos players over the acquisition of future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning , while emotionally expected, should give fans pause. As great as Manning has been, he is not the sole missing piece. He's close, but relying on him as a crutch is about as dangerous as the Philadelphia Eagles thinking all those flashy transactions last August would make them impenetrable.

The Broncos won the AFC West and beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs last season because they played with the aggression of fear. They knew they were a flawed team -- they did lose eight games -- but hid their blemishes with relentlessness, persistence and backed-into-a-corner heart.

The addition of Manning could cause some players to think they've got the crutch, a guy to make up for the weak spots many of them had to compensate for last season. That change in attitude could blow everything up. Manning made it happen in Indianapolis because the team was built around him. He's walking into a roster that is still being sculpted, but with the main pieces already in place for the most part.

Manning is also coming back from nerve and neck injuries that look promising now but could look different after a few AFC West dates with Tamba Hali .

Manning isn't the type to allow for slippage. Whereas many free agents want to feel their way into a new environment and not threaten existing leadership, he walks into town with enough caché to have players following him from the get-go. His abundance of juice made him the only player who could not only douse Tebowmania, but also likely send it packing after Tim Tebow rallied Denver to the playoffs and created a hysteria through effort, belief and something magical.

Manning will hold players accountable and make them take co-ownership. This, after all, will be Manning's last fling at legacy-building and trying to win a Super Bowl.

The Broncos' coaching staff already is shredding much of its playbook from last season, adding its baseline agenda but leaving pages blank for Manning to fill in. The personnel staff is beefing up an offense that lost tight end Daniel Fells and wide receiver Eddie Royal , two nice young players. It's also looking at backup quarterbacks, possibly one in free agency and one to draft.

Frankly, what would be wrong with Denver adding Vince Young and keeping some of the run-pass concepts in its hip pocket in case he's got to play? Young would learn behind one of the best and also give Denver a backup with a twist.

As for the division, Chargers coach Norv Turner said Manning's arrival turned the once one-quarterback AFC West (San Diego's Philip Rivers ) into one that boasts Manning, Oakland's Carson Palmer , Rivers -- and a good Chiefs team. While Denver clearly looks like the March favorite to win the division because of Manning, San Diego quietly has re-stocked in free agency and can't be discounted. The Chiefs won't be a walkover either.

Nobody knows about the Raiders, but with Palmer having an offseason to get ready, they could be as dangerous as any team in the AFC West.

Turner said that even though Denver will be much more of a passing team with Manning at the helm, it won't change how San Diego or other teams build their defenses. Since most teams are pass-first, possessing as many pass rushers, defensive backs and players that can tackle in the open field remains a premium.

"The tie-in is how you get ready to play against them knowing he's there," Turner said.

Last season, Broncos' opponents had to game plan for a running team with a running quarterback. This season, Denver will be more orthodox, even though Manning brings his own set of problems for defensive coordinators.

Then again, the guy running things just put a bull's-eye on the Broncos. Denver faces a schedule as unforgiving as John Elway has been to Tebowmania. The non-divisional schedule is the NFC South (Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Atlanta, Carolina), the AFC North (Cincinnati, Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh) plus Houston and New England.

Texans linebacker Brian Cushing , who no longer has to face Manning and the Colts twice a season, told me the Texans will be "excited" to play at Denver next season. That's code for: "We beat the Colts with him (rarely) and we'll beat the Broncos with him."

Teams will come at Denver much harder than they came at the Broncos and Tebow last season. Opponents didn't seem to ever take Denver as seriously as they needed to until Tebow made something special happen in the waning moments. Now, they'll be ready before kickoff.

It's a new era in Denver.

Follow Steve Wyche on Twitter @wyche89

Mile High Mania · 03-20-2012, 08:07 AM

And, I'll throw this last bit of reality out there...

The Broncos turned around with a 7-4 finish last year. Prior to that, they were 28-41 going back to 2007. They didn't totally fix everything in the second half of 2011, but they have nice pieces and still time to add via FA and the draft.

**petegz28** · 03-20-2012, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

What actual talent does Denver have in comparison to KC? I'm not talking potential. I mean guys that have already produced better than the guys in KC at the same positions.

Denver was slightly better than KC offensively granted we had bunk QB's, a broken RB and a broken TE. KC on the other hand was much better defensively than Denver and that was with Sabby roaming the backfield...

TheGuardian · 03-20-2012, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petegz28

Denver was slightly better than KC offensively granted we had bunk QB's, a broken RB and a broken TE. KC on the other hand was much better defensively than Denver and that was with Sabby roaming the backfield...

I'm talking about actual players on offense.

Mile High Mania · 03-20-2012, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

What actual talent does Denver have in comparison to KC? I'm not talking potential. I mean guys that have already produced better than the guys in KC at the same positions.

I don't think I've ever typed that DEN > KC at all skill positions. I have stated that Denver isn't void of talent on offense or defense.

For the sake of this discussion, I'm more than happy to say that KC has the edge at talent (proven consistency).

Mile High Mania · 03-20-2012, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petegz28

Denver was slightly better than KC offensively granted we had bunk QB's, a broken RB and a broken TE. KC on the other hand was much better defensively than Denver and that was with Sabby roaming the backfield...

Denver also had one of your bunk QBs and a FB that throws passes, no?

TheGuardian · 03-20-2012, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

I don't think I've ever typed that DEN > KC at all skill positions. I have stated that Denver isn't void of talent on offense or defense.

For the sake of this discussion, I'm more than happy to say that KC has the edge at talent (proven consistency).

All I was getting at, thanks.

**Rausch** · 03-20-2012, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Certain QBs make others rise up and play better - Manning is one of those guys and he'll have two young WRs (Thomas and Decker) chomping at the bit to learn and do well, and they should have really good seasons.

No.

Montana, Elway, and even Farve were those types of guys.

Marino only went to one SB. There's a reason. I'd put Payed-a-ton in the same camp.

They want the game in their hands all the time.

Mile High Mania · 03-20-2012, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

All I was getting at, thanks.

No problem... but again, sometimes what you see on paper doesn't always prove the point or get you to the end goal.

TheGuardian · 03-20-2012, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

No problem... but again, sometimes what you see on paper doesn't always prove the point or get you to the end goal.

That's true. But from a stand point of a guy picking a team to go QB for that is ready made, talent wise, for a SB KC should have been a logical choice.

I personally think that he only chose Denver because of his relationship with Elway.

O.city · 03-20-2012, 08:47 AM

The Broncos were 1-4 running a traditional offense last year, then went 7-4 running the spread option.

Do people not remember that? They were the best rushing team in the NFL becasue they ran it damn near 50 times per game. That ain't happening again with Manning.

**FRCDFED** · 03-20-2012, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

not worried about the

. I don't believe they should be division faves based on manning personally. That team sucks.

Yeah, I already bet both of my co-workers lunch that the Chiefs would finish higher in the AFC West than Denver will.

Okie_Apparition · 03-20-2012, 09:00 AM

The regular season wonderdog with a team built around him

Marcellus · 03-20-2012, 09:05 AM

So 3 months ago Mannings career may be over, today he signs a 5 year $96MM contract with Denver.

Just seem odd to me. It doesn't add up.

Pasta Little Brioni · 03-20-2012, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

The Broncos were 1-4 running a traditional offense last year, then went 7-4 running the spread option.

Do people not remember that? They were the best rushing team in the NFL becasue they ran it damn near 50 times per game. That ain't happening again with Manning.

Not only that, but...

In the prime years of his career, he took a more talented Colts team to win 1 SuperBowl, but at 36 coming off serious neck injury is going to take a team with swiss cheese like holes to the Ship in year 1. Hilarious.

mikey23545 · 03-20-2012, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

So, Manning is going to account for $40M this year on the cap?

No, but he kept dicking them around until all the good free agents were gone...

Thanks, Peyton!

03-20-2012, 05:46 AM
kczoo Donkey Trainer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Marshfield Casino cash: $9864900	Great Manning Read. Closer To Reality PEYTON MANNING BRINGS LEADERSHIP, BULL'S-EYE TO BRONCOS By: Steve Wyche \| NFL Network Published: March 19, 2012 at 4:33 PM The immediate gushing by Denver Broncos players over the acquisition of future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning , while emotionally expected, should give fans pause. As great as Manning has been, he is not the sole missing piece. He's close, but relying on him as a crutch is about as dangerous as the Philadelphia Eagles thinking all those flashy transactions last August would make them impenetrable. The Broncos won the AFC West and beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs last season because they played with the aggression of fear. They knew they were a flawed team -- they did lose eight games -- but hid their blemishes with relentlessness, persistence and backed-into-a-corner heart. The addition of Manning could cause some players to think they've got the crutch, a guy to make up for the weak spots many of them had to compensate for last season. That change in attitude could blow everything up. Manning made it happen in Indianapolis because the team was built around him. He's walking into a roster that is still being sculpted, but with the main pieces already in place for the most part. Manning is also coming back from nerve and neck injuries that look promising now but could look different after a few AFC West dates with Tamba Hali . Manning isn't the type to allow for slippage. Whereas many free agents want to feel their way into a new environment and not threaten existing leadership, he walks into town with enough caché to have players following him from the get-go. His abundance of juice made him the only player who could not only douse Tebowmania, but also likely send it packing after Tim Tebow rallied Denver to the playoffs and created a hysteria through effort, belief and something magical. Manning will hold players accountable and make them take co-ownership. This, after all, will be Manning's last fling at legacy-building and trying to win a Super Bowl. The Broncos' coaching staff already is shredding much of its playbook from last season, adding its baseline agenda but leaving pages blank for Manning to fill in. The personnel staff is beefing up an offense that lost tight end Daniel Fells and wide receiver Eddie Royal , two nice young players. It's also looking at backup quarterbacks, possibly one in free agency and one to draft. Frankly, what would be wrong with Denver adding Vince Young and keeping some of the run-pass concepts in its hip pocket in case he's got to play? Young would learn behind one of the best and also give Denver a backup with a twist. As for the division, Chargers coach Norv Turner said Manning's arrival turned the once one-quarterback AFC West (San Diego's Philip Rivers ) into one that boasts Manning, Oakland's Carson Palmer , Rivers -- and a good Chiefs team. While Denver clearly looks like the March favorite to win the division because of Manning, San Diego quietly has re-stocked in free agency and can't be discounted. The Chiefs won't be a walkover either. Nobody knows about the Raiders, but with Palmer having an offseason to get ready, they could be as dangerous as any team in the AFC West. Turner said that even though Denver will be much more of a passing team with Manning at the helm, it won't change how San Diego or other teams build their defenses. Since most teams are pass-first, possessing as many pass rushers, defensive backs and players that can tackle in the open field remains a premium. "The tie-in is how you get ready to play against them knowing he's there," Turner said. Last season, Broncos' opponents had to game plan for a running team with a running quarterback. This season, Denver will be more orthodox, even though Manning brings his own set of problems for defensive coordinators. Then again, the guy running things just put a bull's-eye on the Broncos. Denver faces a schedule as unforgiving as John Elway has been to Tebowmania. The non-divisional schedule is the NFC South (Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Atlanta, Carolina), the AFC North (Cincinnati, Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh) plus Houston and New England. Texans linebacker Brian Cushing , who no longer has to face Manning and the Colts twice a season, told me the Texans will be "excited" to play at Denver next season. That's code for: "We beat the Colts with him (rarely) and we'll beat the Broncos with him." Teams will come at Denver much harder than they came at the Broncos and Tebow last season. Opponents didn't seem to ever take Denver as seriously as they needed to until Tebow made something special happen in the waning moments. Now, they'll be ready before kickoff. It's a new era in Denver. Follow Steve Wyche on Twitter @wyche89
Posts: 588

03-20-2012, 08:07 AM	#46
Mile High Mania #triggering Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Tejas Casino cash: $1067229	And, I'll throw this last bit of reality out there... The Broncos turned around with a 7-4 finish last year. Prior to that, they were 28-41 going back to 2007. They didn't totally fix everything in the second half of 2011, but they have nice pieces and still time to add via FA and the draft. __________________
Posts: 30,894

03-20-2012, 08:47 AM	#55
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $-555936	The Broncos were 1-4 running a traditional offense last year, then went 7-4 running the spread option. Do people not remember that? They were the best rushing team in the NFL becasue they ran it damn near 50 times per game. That ain't happening again with Manning.
Posts: 84,158

03-20-2012, 09:00 AM	#57
Okie_Apparition Banned Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: floatin cobwebs n the sky Casino cash: $10004900	The regular season wonderdog with a team built around him
Posts: 7,012

03-20-2012, 09:05 AM	#58
Marcellus Diablo Negro Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $-337338	So 3 months ago Mannings career may be over, today he signs a 5 year $96MM contract with Denver. Just seem odd to me. It doesn't add up. Last edited by Marcellus; 03-20-2012 at 09:11 AM..
Posts: 74,286