Peyton Manning looked healthy in the Broncos’ preseason opener and appears to be taking everything in stride as he prepares for his first game at Sports Authority Field on Saturday night against Seattle.
Manning has continually emphasized the need to take advantage of every minute of practice and film time to get ready for the season. The Broncos wrap up training camp Friday and transition into a regular practice schedule.
“I’m still going through the adjustment. It’s a process,” Manning said Thursday. “I think it’ll be all season long. It’s definitely a lot of change.”
The change includes a new city, a new offensive playbook and a new group of surrounding personnel. Chief among them being the wide receivers, who are still trying to build timing and chemistry with Manning.
“I’m working real hard on getting on the same page as these receivers,” Manning said. “I appreciate the work ethic that all of these receivers are putting in as we try to get on the same page. I’m working on my mechanics every day and trying to get better.”
As if Manning needed anything additional to consider, the two-minute offense stalled in practice Thursday due to protection breakdowns. That’s to be expected with Manny Ramirez thrust into the starting guard job following an injury to Chris Kuper.
“I think the more time he spends with those guys, the quicker things are going to come out,” offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said of Manning’s timing with the receivers. “When he comes to a new team like this, it takes some time to get used to everybody, with all the calls we make up front. It’s just a matter of getting comfortable with the whole entire offense, and each day we’re trying to get better.”
One of the burning questions – among the media at least – is how Manning will react to the first time he gets hit in a game. He wasn’t touched by the Bears, but eventually he’s going to be put to the turf by an opponent.
“It’s not hanging over me. That seems to be a hot topic,” Manning said. “I had a lady the other day who said, ‘Everybody just can’t wait to see you get hit.’ Thank you. Off the air she told me she didn’t mean it, and I told her, ‘I’m sure you didn’t’.
“Like I said, I have played football for a long time, and when it happens, I plan on getting up and hopefully completing a pass on the next play and moving the chains. At some point, hopefully you all can stop asking me that question.”