In Tuesday's introductory press conference, QB Peyton Manning made no illusions about his expectations for the Denver Broncos. Manning said, in the presser simulcast online via NBC Sports, that he did not come to the Broncos to help them rebuild:
I'm planning on playing for a long time. I realize that I don't have 14 years left by any means. At the same time this isn't something that I'm just building a foundation this year to do something in two years or three years. This is a "now" situation. We're trying to win now.
Manning missed all of the 2011 NFL season with a neck injury that eventually required a total of four surgeries. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts plummeted to the bottom of the league and missed the playoffs for the first time in 9 years, and only the 2nd time since 1999.
Manning's comments confirm the suspicion that he chose the Broncos because of their perceived nearness to another playoff run.
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