Peyton Manning Bronco Jersey Number | Manning Broncos Number

It’s official. 84 year old former Denver Quarterback Frank Tripucka will allow Peyton Manning to grace his retired Number 18 jersey after Manning told Denver Broncos that they were his choice for free agency. I’m sure that Denver’s VP, John Elway, feels he got the greatest “get out of jail” card ever presented. He was never sold on the Tim Tebow experiment and the fans had become relentless in their fanaticism.

Let’s look at the many issues this announcement brings:

1. The Broncos offensive line is the only one in the entire NFL that started as an intact unit every game last year. That was important to Manning. And equally important is that they are all under contract for this upcoming season. This line can adapt to the run, or the throw, and push their opponents around.
2. John Elway was 36 when he won his first Super Bowl. That fact had much bearing on Peyton Manning’s decision to play for Denver. He can win a Super Bowl (or two) late in life, retire, and then move on to the Broncos front office job.
3. Peyton Manning wants to take every rep in practice, so that will not leave any place for Tim Tebow. The Broncos will now shop Tebow- with Miami or Jacksonville being the most likely place Tebow winds up (in a return home to Florida).
4. The distractions that Manning will face:
   • Denver’s famous media frenzy. I know. I’ve seen it first hand- as a host for FNN Sports back in 1989 and 1990, I covered the Broncos training camp and saw the traffic jam of media surrounding the players. It was a remarkable scene.
   • Tim Tebow…as stated, will be let go. Some Denver fans will to be happy about that. Miami Dolphins would be crazy not to look at acquiring his services for their Floridians.
   • Thin air of Mile High…it’s different than indoor air in Indy…takes getting used to…but it will add more zip to his throws…and therefore should extend his career.
   • Weather…It’s cold and yes it can snow, but Denver is a dry desert location so snow melts fast and temperature returns the following day…300 days of clear blue sunny sky will be good for Manning.
5. Peyton Manning is 3-0 lifetime in Mile High Stadium.
6. The running back and wide receiver situation is to Manning’s likening. However, two former teammates are available to Manning if he chooses: Jeff Saturday, Center, played with Manning for 12 years. The Broncos need a tight end and Dallas Clark was released by Indianapolis.

After all of today’s events, the posted odds to win the Super Bowl went from 75-1 to 10-1. I do not recommend that play, but the chance he gets his new team to the playoffs are much better in this AFC West as opposed to playing for Tennessee and having to fight Houston. Furthermore, the San Francisco choice would have never worked as Jim Harbaugh is a team player with no fancy personalities and having to abandon that philosophy would have been difficult. Plus Manning would be going up against all the best Quarterbacks in the NFC. That road to the Super Bowl has many more obstacles than doing it through the AFC.

From Tennessee’s quarterbacks’ point of view: Matt Hasselbeck may want a trade and release and pursue Cleveland with Mike Holmgren. He knows his system from the Seahawks days and his feelings were severely stung by this Manning situation after he produced a winning season. Jake Locker is destined to take over anyway, so it may be time to re-shuffle the deck.

San Francisco’s Alex Smith should be able to overcome this put down and return with a new long-term contract…up a million from last week in return for the embarrassment he endured (poor baby). This young man has had to put up with much abuse during his career and seems to be able to weather any storm.

Miami Dolphins haven’t done anything correct…YET! But with the NEW Miami Marlins and the Miami Heat, the ownership knows or should know that they have to put out a quality product and needs to address Matt Moore’s QB future, or go some other route (Tebow?).

BRING BACK THE ORANGE CRUSH JERSEYS!!

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