Peyton Manning is a Bronco!!

by Ryan Ebert


Peyton Manning has chosen the Denver Broncos!  He decides to be a part of a team that has an improving defense, a young and talented receiving corps, and a strong running game.  The four-time MVP has made the Broncos the favorite in the AFC West and among the top five favorites in the AFC Conference.


This decision automatically makes Denver a contender if Manning stays healthy.  Though the Broncos face Houston, Pittsburgh, and New Orleans at home; and on the road the team will face Baltimore, Cincinnati, New England, and Atlanta.  Not to mention a trip down to Carolina and go up against a great talent in Cam Newton.  What Manning will also be challenged with is a team he's had trouble with in the past.  The San Diego Chargers have an elite passer of their own in Philip Rivers and are a talented team themselves.  In Week 15 of the 2005 season the Chargers ended the chance for the Colts to have a perfect season.  In both the 2007 and 2008 playoffs the Chargers stopped Indianapolis from going any further in the playoffs.  

Manning ran a complicated offense while in Indianapolis, and is capable of learning a new offense quickly.  The offensive line allowed 42 sacks last year, and will have to adjust to Manning's style of play since he is an immobile quarterback unlike Tim Tebow who can run around outside the pocket.  The offensive line fits Tebow's skills and strengths; this season they need to find a way to match what Manning does best which is throw inside the pocket.

Last year with Tebow under center, the leading receiver of the Broncos had only 612 yards.  With Manning running the offense there is sure to be a few hundred yards added onto that total.  Receivers will be happy to be able to have more balls thrown at them this season as to last season they were lucky to have two balls thrown their way.

Before, the Broncos were not mentioned in talks to acquire Steelers restricted free agent Mike Wallace since Tebow's arm is not strong enough to throw to the deep threat.  Manning does have the arm and have put Denver in a situation to get Wallace.  In addition to Wallace the team can pick up fellow teammates Dallas Clark, Jeff Saturday, and maybe even Brandon Stokley and Joseph Addai.  After Manning is signed the team will still have plenty of cap room to bring these players in.  Denver can make an offer for Wallace ,with him being a restricted free agent, and give away their 25th overall pick to Pittsburgh.  NFL Network's Mike Mayock made a case that Wallace will be better than whoever they may take with the 25th pick.

“I would make an offer that Pittsburgh would have a lot of trouble matching for Mike Wallace,” Mayock said. “I’d be happy to give up my first-round pick, and I’d make that young man a rich, rich young man. And I’d have a vertical threat to go along with Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas — I might look at Dallas Clark. You’ve made a commitment to Peyton Manning. Now let’s go get him the weapons.”

The one thing on many fans' minds is what will happen to Tim Tebow?  

There have been much rumor that the team will trade him, but the team has not said whether or not they will trade the former Florida quarterback.  If Denver does trade him Miami and Jacksonville are the two teams that are willing to do more than most teams to acquire the two-time Heisman winner.  On the other hand Tebow will be learning from one of the best to ever play the game of football.  Tebow fans may not like Manning signing with Denver, but they don't realize how much better he can become when Manning is done.  Some Tebow fans may want him to start now, and that would most likely mean they would have to see him play on another team.  We can only speculate as to what will happen to Tim Tebow right now.

The Super Bowl Champion is in a new place and has to get comfortable with his new surroundings, but has a whole off-season to get accustomed with his new teammates.  Peyton Manning has thrown for 54,828 yards with a 64.9 completion percentage, thrown 198 interceptions, a 94.9 career passer rating, and his next touchdown pass will be the 400th of his career!  The Broncos can now bring in pieces to fit Peyton's needs through free agency and the draft coming up in April.  He is a  Super Champion and MVP, 11-time Pro Bowler, and a 5-time First-Team All-Pro.  With just a few more signings the team will be a powerhouse!