Because we won’t get any clues Friday as to how Peyton Manning will do in the Broncos’ revamped offense installed by new head coach Gary Kubiak – the team announced Wednesday that Manning will be held out of the preseason opener against Seattle – the speculation about whether or not Manning can go back to playing the majority of snaps under center, as well as excel in an offense that is play-action dependent, continues to escalate.
Manning himself has made numerous statements about throwing on the run, including on Wednesday following the team’s final full practice before the preseason opener:
Like I said earlier, I’ve always worked on throwing on the run, mostly from a scramble position when you drop back and have to move. I’ve always talked about that there’s nothing worse than a receiver that’s wide open and you’re throwing on the run and you miss him because you overthrow him or you throw him in the ground. There’s a little bit of touch to throwing on the run and throwing a catchable ball.
Manning clearly still has some trepidation, especially about possibly putting his receivers directly in harm’s way.
Keeping Manning out of harm’s way is the real reason for not playing the 39-year-old quarterback, something Mile High Sports columnist James Merilatt suggested Monday.
But former New York Giants head coach Jim Fassel, who joined Gil Whiteley on Mile High Sports AM 1340 Thursday, suggests there are ways to play Manning in the preseason that will get him the work he needs while keeping him upright and healthy.
Listen to the full conversation between Fassel and Whiteley in the podcast below.
Listen to Gil Whiteley every weekday from 9a-11a on Mile High Sports AM 1340 or Listen Live anytime for what’s new and what’s next for your favorite Colorado teams.
