Another day at new office for Manning,
First workout with Broncos pleases QB
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — New Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was excited to finally be at work with his teammates at the team’s practice facility Monday.
Manning, who was released by the Indianapolis Colts last month after 14 seasons, and most of the Broncos participated in nearly four hours of morning workouts that signaled the beginning of the club’s offseason conditioning program.
Coaches are not allowed to participate until organized team activities begin in May, but that didn’t stop Manning. The offense worked separately from the defense, and players spent time watching film, lifting weights in the facility’s newly renovated weight room and participating in drills on the practice field.
The four-time NFL MVP said he was pleased with his first official day of work with the team.
“Everybody’s been looking forward to this day for some time now,” Manning said. “It was a great turnout attendance-wise, and it was good to see a lot of the guys I haven’t had a chance to meet yet. I can tell this is a hardworking group. I thought it was a productive first day, but we’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Manning led drills with receivers, throwing to a variety of targets.
“You’re working on timing with different guys, and I’ve always enjoyed working on timing in the month of April,” Manning said. “I’m hoping we can put it to good use and it comes into play in October on a critical third-and-5.”
Manning, 36, declined to give a specific status update on his rehabilitation from a series of neck procedures that caused him to miss last season.
“I’m not going to get into these weekly reports,” he said. “I’m continuing to work hard on my rehab. Certainly, part of my (current) phase is my time with Greek (head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos) in the training room, and it’s been good to get into that consistent routine.”
Eric Decker has been Manning’s most frequent throwing partner as they’ve worked out on local fields. The third-year pro said he had been impressed with what he had seen from Manning.
“As a receiver, you dream about playing with a guy of this caliber,” said Decker, who said he felt fully recovered from the medial collateral ligament knee injury he suffered in the Broncos’ playoff win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. “It gives you confidence to be able to work with a guy who’s had so much success.”