Peyton Manning Chooses the Broncos!

Manning to Denver. Those three words are going to be forever etched into my mind. Peyton Manning's free agent tour concluded with Manning selecting the Broncos as his next team. The Broncos were the finalists along with the Titans and 49ers. Manning called John Fox and John Elway on Monday morning to inform them that he will be joining the Broncos, and the response out of Denver was something that rivaled New Year's Eve. Contract talks were being finalized, but it looks like a five-year $95 million deal for the future Hall of Fame QB. The Broncos went all in for Manning, and it paid off. They landed one of the biggest free agents in the history of the NFL. It sounds like Manning was comfortable with Denver's organization, coaching staff, ownership commitment, and personnel. According to people within the Manning camp, his gut told him to go to the Broncos, and the Broncos and their fans couldn't be any happier. Who would have thought that Peyton Manning would be the Broncos starting quarterback in 2012? The Broncos were considered a longshot at the beginning of this process, but it looks like they were the frontrunners the whole time. There are so many layers to this story much to this story. Here are some of the instant reactions and ripple effects of this mega deal...........

1) Peyton Manning shifts the power of the AFC West strictly into the Broncos favor. Let's be honest: The Chargers, Raiders, and Chiefs couldn't have been too thrilled to see Manning head for the Mile High city. He makes the Broncos the favorites in the AFC West instantly.
2) The Broncos now have to be considered on the short list of teams to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. They haven't been considered in that group since John Elway retired after the 1998 season. If Manning is healthy, then the Broncos are one of the teams to beat in AFC. You can't look at it any other way.
3) This move changes the way the Broncos will play, and it is a style of play that John Elway has envisioned when he took control of the Broncos. Use the passing game to score points early and take a lead on the opposition. Then, use the running game to milk that lead late in the second half. Also, this gives the defense, particularly Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller, a chance to attack the offense with a lead at their disposal. Finally, playing from ahead and with a lead creates an opportunity for that Denver crowd to stay into the game and make it very difficult for opposing quarterbacks. The Manning move might make the homefield advantage come back to Denver.
4) When you have a chance to improve your team, a good organization will look to do just that. The Broncos threw their name into the Peyton Manning hat, he was interested too, and the Broncos went all in. That is why I wouldn't be a great General Manager because I am too conservative. This deal has more to do about Peyton Manning than it does about Tim Tebow (I'll get to Tebow in a bit.) When Peyton Manning is available, then you have to explore that option. It is is a no-brainer.
4) There is some risk involved in this deal. Manning is coming off four neck procedures and turns 36 next week. How will his strength return in his arm? Will he recover enough in a year from now? Are we going to see the Peyton Manning of 2008? The risks are there, but the rewards are so great that you have to take that risk.
5) Forget about the long term outlook because the NFL is a win now league. Other promising young QBs could be on your team one year and out of the organization or the league a few years down the road. Manning gives the Broncos a great chance to win as long as he suits up for them. It is a win now league, and Manning gives them that chance right this moment.
6) It sounds like John Fox triggered this move, and John Elway was the main selling point. It sounds like Manning was really comfortable with those two people involved, and it closed the deal on Manning in Denver. Elway is certainly earning his paycheck as a NFL executive with this move. At least we know going forward that Elway will do what it takes to get this organization back to the Super Bowl.
7) The bittersweet aspect of this deal is the fact that the Broncos will trade Tim Tebow. I love Tebow, and I think he can be a successful NFL QB. I wanted Denver to draft, believed he could be a starter, and I feel personally invested in his development as a Broncos QB. I will never forget what he did for the franchise in 2011. To turn around a 1-4 team, and get them into the playoffs was amazing. How he did week by week was astonishing. The playoff victory over Pittsburgh will always be one of my favorite moments as a Broncos fan. I will always root for Tebow, and I hope he has a successful career. I don't think this was really about him because when Peyton Manning became available, everything changed for the Broncos. Tim Tebow is a class act, and he will always have a place in the hearts of Broncos fans-me included.
8) The Broncos were probably going to get at least four primetime games in 2012 with Tebow, and now with Manning in the fold, I would expect five primetime games. I would look for at least 2 Sunday Night games, 2 Monday Night games, one Thursday Night game, and look for them to be featured on either Thanksgiving Night on NBC or on the Christmas holiday in some capacity. Plus, CBS is thrilled to have Peyton stay in the AFC, and now they can slot the Broncos in that 4:00pm EST window as many times as they can and generate huge ratings over FOX.
9) Overall, I am thrilled that Manning is coming to Denver. I still can't believe the move actually happened. After I heard that the 49ers were involved, I thought Denver was out. If Denver missed on Manning, then it would have been a real big loss for the franchise. Once they went all in to get him, they had to close the deal. They did, and give the Broncos brass credit. It takes some balls to run a franchise, and the Broncos,John Elway and John Fox especially, showed they had the nuts to make a run at one of the greatest QBs in NFL history. Simply put, I can't wait for the 2012 season to begin. Welcome to Denver, Peyton!