Broncos pass-catchers have noticed more velocity on QB Peyton Manning's throws this offseason.  “We worked out at Duke in March or April and I definitely felt like he had more zip on the ball," WR Eric Decker said. "I think he’s come back stronger."  Manning claims he's still not back to 100% after multiple neck surgeries, but he should be closer than he was last year.  After finishing 6th among QBs in fantasy points in 2012, Manning is plenty capable of climbing higher this season.

Broncos QB Peyton Manning has signed a slightly altered contract with Denver.  Pro Football Talk reports that the money didn't change.  The Broncos merely added language to mention an insurance policy they bought against injury to the same part of Manning's neck that cost him the entire 2011 season.  This contract has no real fantasy impact.  But it serves as a reminder that even a full -- apparently healthy -- season doesn't completely remove the physical risk with the 37-year-old.

The NFL schedule has been released.  The Ravens and Broncos kick things off on Thursday, September 5th.  HC Chip Kelly makes his Eagles debut on Monday night against the Redskins (and maybe RG3).  We get the Manning Bowl in Week 2.  Peyton returns to Indianapolis in Week 7.  Here's the complete 2013 NFL schedule.

Broncos QB Peyton Manning admits that he still has "certain challenges" related to his multiple neck surgeries.  "When you're dealing with nerves, I've learned it's a patience deal," Manning said. "They kind of say it could be a year or two, or it may never come back, so I'm kind of hopeful. I kind of wish certain things would come back a little bit more, but I have learned to adjust and compensate in the state that I am. I still would like to make some more improvement. I still work at it. But, yeah, I'm certainly better than I was last year. But I'm still not quite where I was before I was injured."  Some evaluators noticed a dip in Manning's arm strength last year, especially late in the season.  That may be accurate, but Manning's production didn't dip.  His 68.6% completion rate, 8.0 yards-per-attempt average and 37 TDs were all better than his career averages.  Despite turning 37 last month, Manning could be even better in 2013 -- another year removed from those neck surgeries.  The addition of WR Wes Welker won't hurt either.

Broncos QB Peyton Manning has spent this week throwing to WR Wes Welker.  And he's already developing some chemistry with his newest weapon.  "There's certain guys you just feel like you have timing with right away," Manning said. "He's a guy that has a great feel for how to get open, and understands route concepts and, of course, he played in such a sophisticated offense there in New England, so he's a smart player. You can see why he's been such a productive player. He's intense. He loves to work."  We don't doubt that Manning-to-Welker will be an efficient connection this year.  They're 2 of the best in the game at their respective positions.  The issue for Welker will be targets.  He's unlikely to see the 155 he averaged in New England.  We're expecting his numbers to drop with the Broncos.

Broncos HC John Fox believes QB Peyton Manning will be healthier this coming season than he was in 2012.  "...It was a nerve situation and it takes a while for nerves to grow," Fox explained. "He's getting better every day. Health-wise he'll be even better this year."  Manning's 4,659 passing yards, 37 TDs, 68.6% completion rate, and 8.0 yards per attempt were all above his career averages.  On top of improved health in 2013, he'll also have the benefit of a full offseason with his teammates.  On the downside, Manning turns 37 in March, so some natural regression is imminent.

Broncos QB Peyton Manning caps off an incredible comeback season with his 12th career Pro Bowl selection.  That's tied for 7th most in NFL history.  Manning also becomes the first player to make the Pro Bowl after missing the entire previous season.  Redskins QB Robert Griffin headlines the NFC selections.  He's the first rookie QB to earn a spot since Dan Marino in 1983.  The complete Pro Bowl rosters can be viewed here.

Broncos QB Peyton Manning banged his thumb on a Saint helmet last week.  It drew blood, but caused no structural damage.  Manning didn't miss any snaps and doesn't sound concerned about the thumb going forward.  "It's OK, it's OK, it's sore, but it's more of irritant than anything," Manning said after putting in a full practice Wednesday.  His play was unimpacted last week, and it won't be a problem this Sunday either.  The red-hot Manning is a must-start in fantasy.

Broncos QB Peyton Manning torched the Saints for 305 yards and 3 TDs on Sunday night.  It was his 5th straight game with 300+ yards, tying the longest streak of his career.  And VP John Elways believes Manning's arrow is still pointing up.  "Each week now, he's progressing and still getting better," Elway said. "The key thing is, his accuracy's still there. The strength's gonna come back, and his arm's just gonna keep getting stronger. It's getting exciting."  To us, Manning looks darn close to pre-surgery form.  He's ranked among the top 5 QBs in completion percentage (68.5), passing yards (2,113), and passing TDs (17).  He's 6th in fantasy points at the position.  And with the easiest QB schedule in the league the rest of the way, Manning appears set up for an epic 2nd half of the season.

Broncos QB Peyton Manning had another up-an-down performance in his 2nd preseason game.  He finished 16 of 23 for 177 yards but tossed 2 INTs and 0 INTs.  He missed a couple open receivers, and a few of his passes were wobbly.  But TE Jacob Tamme dropped a TD.  And Manning looked masterful in the 2-minute drill, completing 8 of 11 passes for 87 yards.  He also took a couple hits and bounced right back up each time.  "We can build on this," Manning said afterwards. "But there were some things we have to improve on, and some things I have to improve on.  The more I play, the more comfortable I'll get."  To us, Manning's arm looks plenty good enough to get the job done.  At this point, it's a matter of him getting comfortable with his teammates.  We continue to view Peyton as a low-end QB1, although we're not biting at his current 6th-round ADP.

Broncos QB Peyton Manning admits that he doesn't have the arm strength he used to.  “I am 36 years old," he said. "My arm has a lot of yards and a lot of touchdowns on it, so it’s probably not going to be the same as it was when it was 22."  At the same time, Manning doesn't seem too worried.  "I still think I can complete some passes. I can move the chains and hopefully get our offense into the end zone this year.”  Arm strength has never been Manning's forte.  He's gotten the job done with his high football IQ and pinpoint accuracy.  As long as those 2 traits don't disappear, he should be just fine in 2012.  That being said, we still think he's overvalued at his current early-6th-round ADP.

It looked like the old Peyton Manning out there on Thursday night.  (Besides, you know, the fact that he was in a Broncos uniform.)  He played 1 series and completed 4 of 7 passes for 44 yards.  He showed nice touch on short passes and plenty of arm strength on a 19-yarder to WR Eric Decker.  Manning overthrew WR Demaryius Thomas by a half-yard for what would have been a 12-yard TD.  The drive ended when WR Brandon Stokley dropped a pass that ended up getting picked off.  There's still some work to be done between Manning and his WRs, but the important thing is that #18 looked healthy. 

Broncos QB Peyton Manning impressed onlookers in his first day of training camp.  Yahoo's Jason Cole called his accuracy "impeccable" and his timing "terrific."  But Cole also noted that Manning didn't uncork any deep balls.  "This was a good first day, but there are things I need to improve on," Manning said. "I'm just not going to share what those things are with the rest of the world."  We can only learn so much about Manning's status from camp practices, especially with the team reportedly putting him on a "pitch count."  The real barometer will be how he looks in preseason action.  For now, he remains a risk/reward QB1.  Manning's ADP has been holding steady around the late-5th/early-6th-round range.  That's too rich for our taste.

Broncos QB Peyton Manning reportedly looked impressive chucking the rock at his passing camp over the weekend.  "Based on zip, length and accuracy, Peyton Manning can’t throw the ball any better than he did here Saturday night," beat writer Mike Klis writes.  We've been hearing similar sentiments all offseason.  It's clear Manning is looking good in shorts and a t-shirt.  The question that remains is how he'll perform with pads on and defenders in his face.  Preseason action should at least start to provide an answer.

Broncos QB Peyton Manning (neck) confirmed that he expects to be a full participant in training camp.  Reports from coaches, players, and the media on his performance this spring were all positive.  "It has been exciting for me to be back on the field," Manning said. "When you're injured, it's not fun. You're kind of quarantined. It's nice to be able kind of get the reins cut off, being able to participate OTAs, minicamp."  Of course, the real test will come the first time he takes a live hit.  Manning's preseason action will be one of the biggest storylines in the NFL this summer.

Broncos insider Mike Klis believes QB Peyton Manning has regained 85-90% of his arm strength. Klis also notes that Manning's zip improved throughout offseason workouts. This is just another in a long line of positive reports on Manning's progress. But the real question will be how he holds up when the real bullets start flying. We'll get a much better idea of his status in preseason action. For now, we have Manning as a risky QB1 in fantasy drafts.

Broncos QB Peyton Manning admits that he's still not back to 100% after a plethora of neck surgeries.  It's actually the nerves in his triceps that he's working the hardest on rehabbing now.  "I still have a lot of work to do,'' Manning said.  "I continue to rehab. I have work to do and progress that I still need to make.''  All reports on Manning's performance at OTAs have been positive though.  With 3 months until the regular season kicks off, his recovery remains on track.  We're not expecting to see the Manning of old in 2012, but he's still more than capable of posting QB1 fantasy numbers.

The NFL has released its 2012 schedule. The Giants and Cowboys kick things off on Wednesday, September 5th. QB Peyton Manning makes his Broncos debut in a tasty Sunday night matchup against the Steelers. The Week 1 Monday Night double-header features the Ravens vs. Bengals and Raiders vs. Chargers. The schedule features 13 Thursday night games, starting with the Packers and Bears in Week 2. There will be 2 games played outside the country: Rams vs. Patriots Week 8 in London, and Buffalo vs. Seattle in Toronto Week 15. Other marquee matchups include the 49ers vs. Packers (Week 1), Lions vs. 49ers (Week 2), Patriots vs. Ravens (Week 3), Patriots vs. Broncos (Week 5), and 49ers vs. Saints (Week 12). Click here for the complete schedule.

NFL.com's Albert Breer spoke to numerous personnel men around the league who believe Broncos QB Peyton Manning's play was on the decline even before the neck problems.  "I can tell you, seeing some of the footage of him throwing, there was depreciation in velocity and zip," one executive said. "It gets there, but there's some natural descent in how he's throwing. Is it still good enough? Yeah. It's not what it used to be, but he'll keep getting better, and it's only natural that it might not be where it was."  As a 36-year-old, Manning's ability would figure to be tailing off even if he was completely healthy.  We can't expect the Peyton of old in Denver this season.  But even 80% of what he used to be is better than most QBs in the league.

The new CBA prevents players from working out at team facilities until next month, but Broncos QB Peyton Manning isn't letting that stop him from getting familiar with his new teammates.  Manning, C J.D. Walton, WR Eric Decker, and TE Julius Thomas got together for a workout at a Denver-area high school on Monday.  "Just some drill work, talking through stuff, so he gets familiar with the verbage and the calls," Decker said. "The biggest thing is he wanted to get a feel for us, and a feel for being under center.  He looked real good, though he probably won't admit that he's feeling good or feeling back to the way he wants to be."  Manning's dedication isn't surprising, but it's good to see him throwing without the presence of doctors or trainers.