Notes
Denver Broncos WR Eric Decker said QB Peyton Manning has more 'zip' on his passes this year. 'I think (the ball) coming to you quicker can be his reads and comfort level with the receivers, too,' Decker said. 'But I think some of those throws that he fits in the holes, you feel a little more zip on it and he is getting it to you quicker.'
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Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning said he feels more comfortable than he did last year. 'Not that I feel as comfortable as I did in my eighth year in Indianapolis, but it's a heck of a lot more comfortable than I was last year,' Manning said.
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Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning already feels like he has some chemistry with WR Wes Welker. 'There's certain guys you just feel like you have timing with right away,' Manning said. 'He's a guy that has a great feel for how to get open, and understands route concepts and, of course, he played in such a sophisticated offense there in New England, so he's a smart player.' The Broncos used three-receiver sets 64 percent of the time last year, but expect that to increase dramatically as they look to create mismatches in the opposing defenses.
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The Denver Broncos gained some salary cap flexibility over the next two seasons after they made some changes to QB Peyton Manning's contract late last week. The team insured themselves against have to pay Manning's $20 million salary in 2014 in the event that he won't be able to play because of a non-neck injury that might be suffered in 2013. Under the new deal, Manning will receive a $10 million salary advance in exchange for his base salaries in 2013 and 2014 being lowered to $15 million each year. The $10 million advance will be treated like a signing bonus and will be prorated over four seasons. As a result, Manning's cap number will be lowered by $2.5 million in both 2013 and 2014, but then rises by $2.5 million in 2015 and 2016.
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Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning signed a 'renegotiated' contract, but sources with knowledge of the deal said the new terms don't change his compensation. The contract, according to the source, adds an insurance clause, which reflects that the team has purchased an insurance policy in the event Manning suffers a serious injury. The insurance would both compensate the Broncos and provide a cap credit in the event Manning can't play. Manning will earn $40 million guaranteed over the next two seasons, in $20 million chunks for 2013 and 2014, respectively. The Broncos can avoid the $20 million payment in 2014 only if Manning suffers injury to the same area of his neck that kept him from playing in 2011.
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The Denver Broncos are poised to use one of their picks in the 2013 NFL Draft, likely a third-day pick in the draft weekend, on a quarterback. Executive vice president of football operations John Elway wants three quarterbacks on the depth chart with QB Peyton Manning in a meeting room with two young, developmental players.
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Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning wants the offense to play faster in 2013, even though the unit finished tied for the fourth-most offensive plays last season. Manning wants the Broncos to get closer to the league-leading New England Patriots, who ran 1,191 plays (74.44 per game). 'For whatever reason, our offense plays better the faster we go. I think that was clear cut last season,' Manning said. 'The receivers liked it; they got into a rhythm. Anything we can do as an offense to build off that, anything we can do to make us more efficient as an offense, that's what we're looking to do.'
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Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning is excited to be working with WR Wes Welker. "Certainly he's made a lot of plays in New England," Manning said. "He's been great in the red zone. You've seen him catch a lot of touchdowns from Tom [Brady]. The two of them have had great timing -- and that developed over time as well. I don't think you can just say, 'Hey, we're going to have that right away.' It's going to take time. Of course, you want to try to get on the same page as quickly as possible. It was important to start the workouts we got in last week and use these what we call Phase One and Phase Two and minicamps and OTAs and training camp -- every repetition with him will be important. I think he provides some unique things. He has unbelievable quickness, he's excellent with the ball in his hands on those little screen passes. You've seen him get upfield quickly, and I've always thought he's had a nose for the end zone."
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Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning wants the team to have an edge when they take the field in 2013. 'I know that (executive vice president of football operations) John Elway wants to sort of set kind of an attitude and an edge around here -- maybe a little bit of an uncomfortable atmosphere -- which I believe in,' Manning said.
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Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning is learning that he can't throw the deep ball as well as he could before the four neck surgeries, and he has to adjust. Manning isn't bothered by it because he knows nerve regeneration can take years. However, he has learned to use what he has and not worry about what he doesn't have.
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Hot -- Moving Up in the Player Rankings.
Injury Concern.
Sleeper.