Peyton Manning (John Leyba, The Denver Post)
PHOENIX – Peyton Manning exhibited the signs of a player who was not ready to become a former player.
He was relaxed, invigorated. He had a nice talk with new Broncos coach Gary Kubiak on Wednesday, and club president Joe Ellis on Friday and they will chat some more. He will also talk with Broncos general manager John Elway soon.
Manning even brought up the physical examination he has to take around March 1.
But to actually end the suspense and announce his intentions of returning to play for the Broncos for another reason? Manning wasn’t quite ready for that. He just wants to talk over the team’s revamped coaching staff and offensive philosophy before he says go on his 18th NFL season.
“I’m not interested in making this a lingering thing,” Manning said here Friday after he received the Bart Starr Award. “I’d like to make a decision soon. At the same time, both coach and Joe and John have instructed me to take some time so I’m kind of following their orders.”
Manning said his hesitation isn’t tied to Kubiak’s zone-read, play-action, boot system.
“I know thatap been a hot topic of discussion,” Manning said. “We didn’t get into that. If I choose to come back I feel pretty comfortable aside from Tubby Raymond’s Delaware Blue Hens wing T offense, I feel pretty comfortable playing in any offense. I don’t see that being a factor.”
Manning also didn’t think he’d have any problem with his physical, medically speaking. He does have a $19 million salary that would become guaranteed on March 9. He will have to pass a physical he said he would take around March 1 to make sure he’s good to go – providing he does decide to come back.
Manning had four neck surgeries that forced him to miss the entire 2011 season but in his three seasons with the Broncos since, he has thrown 131 touchdown passes.
“I don’t see that physical being that significant to tell you the truth as far as that revelation,” Manning said. “I feel pretty confident that I would pass that physical and my neck is in good shape.”
Manning was also asked to weigh in on Deflategate that has brought his personal archrival Tom Brady under suspicion for improperly letting the air out of footballs.
“I don’t know anything about air pressure in a ball,” Manning said. “I always do my game balls – I think I have 12 that I like – Friday for a road game and Saturday for a home game. After that I never see them again until game day. So I’ve never had any idea about the weigh-in or any of that.”
