Peyton Manning Chooses Denver
Tebow on the block.
The news of the world was set aside for a good part of the day as word came that Peyton Manning has decided to join the Denver Broncos (barring any unexpected problems negotiating his contract). Tim Tebow will go on the trading block (I agree with the general consensus that Jacksonville makes sense as a destination for Tebow, but only in the short term; I think the Jaguars franchise will move to Los Angeles sooner rather than later).
The number 18 is one of only three Denver has retired. It was worn by the team’s first starting QB Frank Tripucka (originally brought to Denver at its founding as an assistant coach, he became the first pro QB to throw for 3,000 yards in a season and the first to throw a TD pass in the AFL). That’s not a problem, though. As Steve Largent once did for Jerry Rice, Tripucka has already said he’d be happy for his number to pull a Brett Favre if Peyton wants to wear it.
Image by ESPN
I think John Elway’s about to get a lesson in humility. He’s throwing away every good thing that built up in the Broncos over the past season and is replacing it with a great big glop of “Superbowl or bust” pressure.
Mike
I hope for Peyton’s sake that his contract is front loaded and guaranteed. The Denver O-line is swiss cheese. Also, I know Elway doesn’t get along with Tebow, but keeping him doesn’t seem like a bad call. He will have a few more years to develop, and it would be under the wing of the best quarterback of the past decade. I don’t think anyone expects Manning to last 5 years, so Timmy could soon get his shot again.
The best thing for Tebow is if he stayed at Denver and learned from Peyton. Peyton signed a 5 year deal…but he doesn’t have 5 years left in him.
Any time starting for a team like Jacksonville will destroy Tebow.
@Hey Norm:
That would seem to be the smart thing for Tebow, and Denver actually. Who wouldn’t want to have Tim Tebow as your backup to Peyton Manning?
As the resident 3 cervical fusions guy, I must question Mannings prognosis.
But if it’s OK, this is the steal of a century.
My brother says he’s going to become a Chiefs fan if the Broncos trade Tebow. I’m not going to go that far, but I am hoping they don’t trade Tebow until they make sure Manning can play.
Or better yet, just keep him. I’d love to see those two guys trading off. Good luck running a defense against a Tebow-Manning tag-team.
@Herb:
This entire deal is obviously John Elway’s doing. He’s never been a Tebow fan but if the team is dumb enough to trade away Tebow before, as you say, making sure Manning can actually play, then he’s going to look really stupid.
Peyton doesn’t strike me as the type to care about jersey numbers.
Could have gone to the 9’ers, much better team right now, but the system is wrong. I think after a decade of Irsay he was ready to have somebody like Elway for his boss too.
Denver had big fun last year with Tebow, but he was getting pretty chewed up by the end of the year. He has to run to be effective. Not a system “you have been waiting for” or “you can believe in”.
Heard in a bronco locker-room “Get thee behind me Peyton!”
@Herb: Good luck trying to run an offense with such wildly different schemes required.
I am going to be the Tebow skeptic and say that while he had some amazing games this season that he is not a long-term, sustainable QB for Denver (or maybe anybody). You can only win so many games by a) keeping the opponent’s score down, and b) pulling out a miracle at the end of the game (which describes most of Tebow’s wins). If Denver gets Manning and gets something decent out of a trade with Jax, then I say they win the offseason before the draft even starts.
However, they had better draft a QB who can sit and learn over the next 2-3 years.
Of course, all this assume that Manning can play.
The problem with Tebow is that people think he’s a quarterback. Behind the QB running the option, for instance, he could be a valuable player.
… Regardless, it’s bad news for Peyton, who will doubtless be smitten down on his very first snap, FOR THE LORD’S ANOINTED WILL NOT BE MOCKED!
@Doug Mataconis: I’m afraid either way, Elway’s going to look stupid. The Broncos are giving Peyton a five-year contract worth almost $100 million. That’s the kind of money and deal you’d expect from a Manning-type player….but at the end of a career with a medically repaired neck? Folly.
@SKI: Oh, I’m not saying it would be easy to run a Tebow-Manning tag-team offense. I’m saying it would be hard to defend.
@Steven L. Taylor: At the beginning of last season, I would have agreed with you on Tebow’s long-term prospects. But the way he carried the team last year, conjuring plays out of the ether (some boneheaded, no doubt), made me reconsider his talents and abilities. I think if a team commits to Tebow (which the Broncos are NOT doing) and builds around him, the kid’s going to have a lot of success.
Sadly, I don’t think Denver is the kind of team that has a “sit and learn” approach to the QB position. We’re talking about a town that’s been looking for a new Elway for almost 15 years now. Brian Griese, Jake Plummer, and Kyle Orton will tell you….in Denver, the QB position is “superstars only.”
PS. When Manning suits up as a Bronco next season, he’ll won’t look like the above picture. No, it’s not the plastic surgery….
Next year the Broncos will be using their orange jerseys for home games.
Tebow better learn to play free safety, sell insurance…..or consider the ministry.