The expectations are going to be extremely high this year, but Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is still in the process of meeting them as he works his way into Denver's offense. As Mike Klis of the Denver Post wrote on Wednesday about the team's practice, Manning still has work to do:
In his first series, Manning was 2 of 4 with short completions to Jacob Tamme and Brandon Stokley sandwiched between an interception by safety Mike Adams, who was covering Tamme on a deep route. In his second series, Manning threw one pass and it was incomplete. In his third series - a hurry up, 2-minute drill - Manning’s first pass intended for Stokley across the middle zipped right into the gut of middle linebacker Joe Mays - who dropped it as he had his sights set on returning it for a touchdown.
Overall, it's not exactly what Broncos fans wanted to hear, but Klis added that Manning, "did throw deeper down the field more than he did during the previous media-viewing OTA practice last week."
For now, it's becoming very clear that Denver didn't sign a Peyton Manning that's immediately ready to return to the field at his previously high level of performance. At 36 years of age with a major neck injury under his belt (or collar), it will be interesting to see just how much progress Manning will make this offseason.
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