Stokley working as hard as ever for a spot

by Ryan Ebert

Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley is thirty-five years old and has a familiar relationship with quarterback Peyton Manning, but he is still going out onto the field as if he has everything to lose.

"I feel like I'm fighting for a job every day. So I just go out there and try to prove to myself that I can still make plays, every day. That's been my mentality since I was a rookie," Stokley told Lindsey ones of The Denver Post on Sunday. "I'm enjoying it, having fun. I know I don't have another five years, 10 years left in me, so I'm enjoying this experience and this opportunity that I have."

The top three receivers are projected to be Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, and Andre Caldwell.  Stokley only had one catch for seven yards in the Giants first two games of the season, but he can produce if healthy and be productive out of the slot.

In February Stokley was about "ninety-five percent retired"when he was still recovering from a quadriceps injury he suffered with his short time with the Giants.  Stokley went on to workout with Manning in North Carolina (pain free), and made the decision to play one more year signing a one-year contract and reunite with Manning whom he played with from 2003 to 2006.

Stokley had 31 receptions for 354 yards in 11 games for Seattle in 2010 which was his last productive season.  This was after an injured groin got him released by Denver.

His experience with Manning gives him advantage over his teammates for a spot on the team, and head coach John Fox has liked what he has seen.

"It's the Brandon Stokley I've seen on tape. He's healthy, and he's got a good skill set to play in this league, and he's proven that a lot of different places," Fox said.

Stokley grabs attention of many in OTAs

by Ryan Ebert

Brandon Stokley (35) made a catch in OTA practice Monday that made him look as if he was still 25.

In the past two seasons Stokley was being told by coaches that he was finished.  In 2011 they were almost right.  Stokley wasn't on a team in training camp and the preseason.  He played two games for the Giants before being released.

Peyton Manning lobbed a deep pass down the middle in a two-minute, 11-on-11 drill, and Stokley made a spectacular diving catch to make it first-and-goal from inside the ten.

"This kind of reminds me of my first or second year," said Stokley, who broke into the NFL in 1999 with Baltimore. "Everything is so much more important. All the offseason stuff. I don't take it for granted. For me, every day is so important. Starting now, training camp — preseason games are going to be like regular-season games for me now. I look forward to it."

After the great catch Manning hurried the offense to the line, did a fake spike to stop the clock, and threw the ball to  Decker in the endzone to end the drive and the drill.

When Stokley was finished with the workouts, he sat on the bench and received a fist bump from none other than John Elway.  A great catch that caught the attention of many people including his own boss.

Stokley back with Manning in Denver

by Ryan Ebert

Veteran wide receiver Brandon Stokley has signed with Denver on a one-year deal. Terms were not disclosed, but it's likely that he signed a veteran minimum contract.

Stokley will turn 36 in June, and is known to be a clutch slot receiver. If he makes the roster the slot position will most likely be where he'll play. Stokley will be a target that Peyton Manning is familiar with, and he can help Denver's young receivers learn the new offense and routes.

Standing at 6'0" and 192 lbs. Stokley has played thirteen years in the NFL with five teams. He has won two Super Bowl rings (2000 Ravens and 2007 Colts). Brandon Stokley who lives in the Denver area ran routes for Manning back in March, and helped the Broncos recruit the four time MVP.

Stokley played with Denver previously from 2007-2009 and caught five touchdowns in '07. In the season opener of the 2009 season Stokley made a game-winning play. The catch has been dubbed “one of the most spectacular plays in club history.”

In 2004, playing with Peyton Manning in Indianapolis, Stokley hauled in 68 passes for 1,077 yards and 10 touchdowns.