Athanasios Armenis
Journal Staff

Four neck surgeries in the course of one year, zero games played during the 2011-2012 campaign and let’s not forget, a brand spanking new $96-million dollar contract filled with incentives. Which one of these things does not fit with the others?
Welcome to the world of the priceless Peyton Manning.
In a mere few months, the 11-time Pro-Bowl quarterback has witnessed his archrival, New England, nearly win a Super Bowl on his own home turf in Indianapolis, his owner and close friend, Jim Irsay, whom he single handedly helped bring the Colts back on the radar, release him. Oh and as if that wasn’t enough, there was also a two-week “grace” period, where all the hysteria and major hype surrounding every sports story was linked to where he would choose to play next season.
Next stop: Denver, Colorado. When rumors began to swirl about possible destinations for the former Super Bowl MVP, cities like Miami, Tennessee and Arizona were thought to be front-runners.
Peyton has an off-season home in Miami and early sources reported that the Dolphins, whom were in need of a quarterback, were in total control of the Manning sweepstakes. He played his college ball at the University of Tennessee for the Volunteers, where he lead them to the 1997 SEC championship and Titans owner Bud Adams reportedly was set to offer Manning a contract “for life,” which immediately made Tennessee a possible suitor.
Then came Arizona, where interestingly enough, Manning would have been set to take over the franchise along with total control of his offense. The likes of six-time Pro-bowler and top receiver, Larry Fitzgerald were immediately at Manning’s disposal and Manning’s ties with head coach Ken Whisenhunt carried the Cardinals into the equation.
So, why and how the Broncos? With Tim Tebow leading Denver to their first playoff victory in over a decade and an AFC West divisional championship, when did the whole “Peyton taking over Tebow,” situation play itself out inside the Bronco’s front office?
The answer rests in the mind of John Elway, who last season took over as vice president of football operations. Elway, who last season was one of the many Tebow critics, saw Tebow’s style of play as unorthodox and although the passion to win was always there for Tebow, the fact that the Broncos were winning games hadn’t meant Tebow’s below average quarterback stats were off the hook.
“I don’t think Tim Tebow is a good NFL quarterback at this time,” said Elway in an interview with Sports Illustrated writer, Peter King.
Elway’s comments, which caused a stir in Denver, came even after Tebow led the Broncos to four straight wins, bringing them back to a 5-5 record on the verge of a playoff berth.
As a matter of fact, when Elway was asked if Tebow was ready to be the quarterback’s future franchise quarterback, Elway’s response was as simple and direct as they get.  “No.”
Enter Peyton Manning. Denver has taken a risk on the most highly coveted free agent in NFL history. When the Colts released Manning, analysts covering the NFL immediately pointed to the expected $28-million dollar bonus, Manning was set to receive as reasons for his departure.
The Colts were in a prime position to draft an elite quarterback with the number one pick in this year’s NFL draft and with the new salary cap restrictions, releasing Manning saved Irsay and the Colts, a big chunk of change.
Irsay and Manning however publicly stated that the negotiation was never about the money.
The Colts had suffered from a 2-14 season, the worst in franchise history, and were heading towards a rebuilding stage while Manning was coming off of a year where he had multiple neck surgeries and several rehab stints, attempting to strengthen his neck and get back to playing football at a high level for however many years he had left in the tank.
Elway and Denver on the other hand, came out of the blue and handed Peyton a brand new 96-million dollar contract offer. The terms of the contract protect both sides and although Manning would still need to be on the Broncos’ roster on the final day of the upcoming 2012 league year to fully guarantee any of his base salaries of $20 million in 2013 and 2014, the numerical value of Denver’s offer spoke loudly.
Interestingly enough, with the contract Manning signed, the Broncos could easily find themselves in a pickle next season as Denver would be able to cut Manning at any point after next year’s Super Bowl/start of the 2013 league year, limiting the contract to a one-year, $18 million investment.
If Manning has an average season next year, then the Broncos will face a $40 million decision in March of 2013 as to who they want their quarterback to be heading into their future, just as the Colts faced this years $28-million decision in March
One things is for certain, Manning has been throwing the football. During his workouts for the select few NFL teams that were in the bidding for his services, Manning’s neck didn’t appear to be a problem. With the arrival of Manning in Denver, the AFC West doesn’t change too much. Denver, who won the division last season, will look to continue that trend with #18 girding the loins as San Diego and the Chargers look to bounce back from a disappointing 8-8 record where they started the season off 4-1 entering their bye week.
The Kansas City Chiefs are under a new head coach in Romeo Crennel and have also resigned top wide-receiver Dwayne Bowe to a long-term deal, while adding veteran leadership with the likes of RB Peyton Hillis and TE Kevin Boss, Oakland is…well Oakland, as the Raiders are under new ownership in the bay area and have lost one of their young talented running backs, Michael Bush, because of free agency.
The arrival of Manning in Colorado certainly brings a fresh story line to this year’s upcoming season. Manning changed the philosophy in Indianapolis and led by example as his hard work right out of college eventually led him to a Vince Lombardi trophy and Super Bowl MVP award.
As for Broncos fans, the ability to acquire the likes of a Peyton Manning at the expense of an inexperienced quarterback, who can barely throw a tight spiral, should bring more then excitement to the city of Denver.
Even with four neck surgeries, a whole season off, the Broncos organization has struck gold, as Manning has the capability to make his young teammates such as receivers Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas, household names, not just in Denver, but nationwide.