Peyton Manning looked closer to 30 than 40 as he stood outside the entrance to the Broncos’ locker room.
Tan, rested and healthy, Manning clearly embraced the challenge of playing for a new coach, learning a new offense and getting ready for a new season. He threw multiple long passes during Tuesday’s minicamp. And for those seeing a rocking chair at the end of the perfect rainbow, Manning squelched the notion this was possibly the first practice of a final season.
“I wouldn’t call it (a farewell tour),” Manning said. “That’s not how I see it.”
The five-time NFL MVP came across as the Manning of old more than an old Manning. At 39, there were rumors he even rolled out and executed bootlegs at practice.
“I like to think I am pretty versatile, believe it or not,” said Manning during an 11-minute session with the media, his first since deciding to return for a fourth season in Denver. “I feel like I can execute whatever plays the coach calls.”
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For seven anxious weeks, the Broncos faced a potential audible at quarterback. After a stunning divisional playoff defeat to the Indianapolis Colts, Manning reversed course from a Christmas Eve declaration that he would return, saying he was undecided about his future. He staggered down the stretch, throwing 15 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions in the final eight regular-season games and completing only 6-of-19 attempts of more than 20 yards in the loss to the Colts.
His reduced efficiency coincided with the coaches reconfiguring the offensive line, with fewer plays run from a shotgun formation in order to help improve the running game. Manning also suffered a strained right quadriceps Dec. 14 at San Diego.
After the hiring of coach Gary Kubiak, Manning took time to reflect, took a $4 million paycut, and on Tuesday, took a new playbook to the field for the first time this spring. Kubiak remains confident that there will be a seamless transition to a blended version of Manning’s previous offense and his zone-blocking scheme.
“We’re going to do what he does best,” Kubiak said. “If we run the ball well, which we plan on doing, we’re going to move the quarterback at some point. It will be something we work on. He has been very excited. He’s been challenged. I think that is good for all of us no matter how long you’ve been in the league.”
Kubiak explained that Manning always wants to “know why,” a trait of “great players.” When Kubiak last coached in Denver as coach Mike Shanahan’s offensive coordinator, he conducted meetings during which tight end Shannon Sharpe and quarterback John Elway sat in the front row brimming with queries.
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Few enjoy the mental gymnastics of football as much as Manning. He craves finding and exploiting mismatches. How that will translate in Kubiak’s offense remains unclear. They sit in the infancy stage of installation.
“I think the details of this offense kind of stay in-house,” Manning said. “You are always learning out there. As soon as you stop learning, something is not going right.”
For all the grousing and concern about Manning’s finish, he outperformed his career average in nearly every meaningful statistic last season, including yards per game and completion percentage. Still, history looks over his shoulder with a cold stare. No 39-year-old quarterback has won a Super Bowl. John Elway ranks as the oldest at 38.
“I think you can’t lump them all together. There are young 39s and old 39s,” Manning said, smirking. “I’m in that young group for sure. March birthday.”
Troy E. Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or
