For those fans already giving the AFC West title and maybe a whole lot more to the Mannings, uh, Broncos, some words of caution.
Sure, Denver won the division last season, but it hardly was a display of power. The Broncos went 8-8 in the weakest sector in the NFL, winning mostly on defense, long-range field goals and the resilience of Tim Tebow. Not to mention some incredible good fortune and brain freeze by opponents.
And yes, that formula is certain to change quite a bit with Peyton Manning running the show. Even if he is not at full strength — Manning admitted Tuesday “there’s a lot of work to do to get where we want to be from a health standpoint” after four neck surgeries — he brings a presence the Broncos have lacked at quarterback since his new boss John Elway retired in 1999.
Manning also brings leadership, resourcefulness, an unequaled work ethic, star power, brain power and drawing power to the franchise.
What he doesn’t bring is a guarantee of success.
“This is going to take a ton of work,” Manning said. “The sooner I can get started the better. It’s a challenge I look forward to meeting.”
Despite its late-game heroics in 2012 and its stunning upset of Pittsburgh — an injury ravaged Pittsburgh — in the wild-card round of the playoffs, Denver has anything but an elite roster. The receiving corps is modest, at best, although having Manning throwing spirals rather than Tebow hurling wobblers surely will upgrade it.
Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker have lots of room to develop. They are not Marvin Harrison or Reggie Wayne, though.
If Manning campaigns for free agent tight end Dallas Clark to be signed, the Broncos must be sure he is healthy and has something left after two down years plagued by injuries.
The Broncos have a better running game than Manning enjoyed in most of his 14 years in Indianapolis. Then again, 1,000-yard rusher Willis McGahee is a well-worn 31, and Tebow contributed mightily to the league’s top-ranked ground attack.
Perhaps most critical is the offensive line, which does have two studs in tackle Ryan Clady and guard Chris Kuper. That’s hardly enough when the quarterback has Manning’s recent medical charts.
Fortunately for Denver, there’s enough cap room to add some help, even after paying Manning $18 million. So if another of his Colts buddies, center Jeff Saturday, is interested, Elway and general manager Brian Xanders likely will target him.
“The Broncos are an attractive team,” Xanders said. “We just won the division. There’s players who are still in the marketplace and this is the largest class ever and a lot of things have happened the first 10 days but … there’s some opportunities there. We’re going to make some calls. We’ve got our guys targeted and we’re exciting about finishing out free agency.”
The carryover on defense is far more promising, but we’re not talking Ravens or 49ers here. In linebacker Von Miller, the Defensive Rookie of the Year, and end Elvis Dumervil, plus veteran cornerback Champ Bailey, the Broncos have the makings of a solid unit. That defense wore down late in 2011, however, particularly when Miller was either sidelined or slowed by a right thumb injury.
That the rest of the division’s teams have even more question marks, especially with defenses that struggle either stopping the run or the pass — or both — helps make Denver an early favorite. That is, if Manning is, well, Manning.
Denver’s schedule is brutal as a result of winning the AFC West. Home games with the Saints, Steelers and Texans await, plus trips to Baltimore, New England, Cincinnati and Atlanta, all 2011 playoff teams. With the NFL eager to showcase Manning early on in his new haunts, an opener against one of those opponents is likely — in prime time.
Also of interest will be how Manning fares with 15 of 16 games outdoors. No more comfy confines inside an Indianapolis dome.
Consider this, as well: New England and Baltimore are perennial AFC powerhouses showing no signs of slowing down. Pittsburgh always is formidable, Houston is on the rise as much as any team in the conference. Make that the entire league.
Still, Denver figures to be more of a player in the AFC with a four-time MVP behind center.
“This isn’t something where I’m just building a foundation to do something in two years or three years. This is a ‘now’ situation,” Manning said. “We’re going to do whatever we can to win right now. That’s all I’m thinking about right now.”
If he does it, if he is vintage Peyton Manning, the frenzy in Denver will surpass anything Tebowmania produced.
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AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton, Sports Writer Pat Graham and National Writer Eddie Pells contributed to this story.
