The new regime of wide receivers for the Denver Broncos will get their first taste of real action on Thursday against the Baltimore Ravens. While the unit is still working on building chemistry with each other, their quarterback is ready to begin the year totally healthy. With one year in Denver already under his belt, Peyton Manning is looking better than ever and his teammates are noticing.
Manning looked in top former last season, so the idea that he is better is almost scary. Demaryius Thomas says that fans should be prepared because Manning is stronger and more confident than ever before. In an interview with ESPN, Thomas said Manning is completely recovered from his neck surgeries and his arm is showing it.
"The biggest difference is his arm strength," Thomas said. "I never thought anything was wrong with him my first year, but coming back to OTAs and minicamp and seeing the strength he's got, the zip that's on the ball, it's a big difference. I think he got a lot of strength back that he didn't have last year."
Manning threw for 4,659 yards and 37 touchdowns last season. Could that number simply increase this year? With a stronger arm and another new weapon on the offense, that seems very likely. Wes Welker is excited to see the improved strength of Manning's arm. After coming over from the New England Patriots, the receiver is still working on getting the chemistry down. He has a few hours left to do so.
"I still feel like the new kid in school," Welker said, via the Denver Post. "I don't think you ever really arrive. That's the way you have to look at it. The moment you think you've arrived, that's when you're going to have a bad year, or have a bad game. You've got to keep that edge."
Welker was Tom Brady's favorite target in New England and now he must prepare to be Manning's new favorite weapon. He averaged 112 receptions per season in New England and yet most say he underachieved. The Broncos were happy to take on that number. Welker will not get into the business of comparing the two quarterbacks, only to say that he is happy in Denver.
Welker has just a few short hours to fully get himself prepared to take the field with a new team. With a solid group of receivers around him and a stronger quarterback in Manning, things should go pretty smooth.
