ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Newly signed quarterback Peyton Manning isn't wasting any time. With the team for barely more than one week, he has already gotten to work, devoting his time to working out and learning the team's playbook.
"I've pretty much just been sleeping over here at the complex the past week and a half, trying to study this playbook," he told KKFN in a radio interview Wednesday.
The offensive coaches will utilize the strengths of the 15th-year pro in their scheme this season, something that Head Coach John Fox said they'd be remiss not to do.
"As he would tell you, he's done it a certain way for 14 years and obviously had great success," Fox said at the NFL owners meetings. "We'd kind of be silly if we wouldn't take some of what he's done in the past and utilize his strengths and comfort zone."
Manning has already gathered some of his teammates for informal workouts in the Denver area.
Under terms of the new NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, players are not able to participate in club-supervised workouts with coaches until the teams' official offseason programs begin in April.
Manning is allowed to rehab under the eyes of the Broncos' trainers and use the team's facility for his injury rehabilitation, which he has.
"I'm glad to be with the team, to be into a normal routine lifting weights over here, throwing with the receivers," he said about organizing the informal workouts. "That makes me feel more comfortable and I'm glad to be in that routine."
Fox is excited to see the effect that Manning has on his teammates one the team re-gathers for OTAs.
"He paints great pictures, no doubt. I think he'll raise all boats on our offense—it doesn't matter whether it's players or coaches," he said. "We're really excited. We know his M.O., he's a general out there who does a great job, and we're looking forward to him doing that to our offense."
The Broncos' second-year head coach isn't concerned with not being able to instruct the signal caller until April. The team has shared the playbook and film as permitted by the CBA and trusts that the veteran quarterback will take advantage of the materials.
"There's been exchange of information, whether it be on paper or on video, but with the new CBA rules that's what we're allowed to do," Fox said. "Those are the steps we've taken to this point. We've got plenty of time—it's still the month of March. Once we're able to get the players in the building, we've got plenty of time to get anything and everything we need to installed. We got quite a bit installed during the season a year ago, so we'll be fine."
Manning said during his introductory press conference that he came to Denver with the goal of winning Super Bowls. He knows that the work the team puts forth in the offseason on its own will pay off come September.
"I feel I have an obligation to my teammates, to the coaches, to management, to the owner, Mr. Bowlen, for bringing me here, to go out and be the best quarterback I can be to help them win," Manning said. "I have a job to do and they've made a commitment to me. And so I'm committed to doing everything I can to help them. That's what I've always tried to do and, like I said, I have work to do, and that's why I'm here and haven't left here since I signed last Tuesday. And plan on being here all offseason, trying to get ready to play and get ready to win some games this year.
