Manning looks for timing with new targets

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Peyton Manning's arm strength looks fine. It's his timing with his new targets that's the biggest question mark facing the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player as he embarks on his comeback with the Denver Broncos.

Manning doesn't appear bothered by the nerve injury in his neck that led to a series of operations, sapped his power and sidelined the league's most durable active quarterback all of last season.

Ever since he signed with the Broncos on March 20, two weeks after his tearful release from the Indianapolis Colts, Manning has been working to refine his rapport and rhythm with his new corps of pass catchers.

He has two old pals from his days in Indianapolis to help him adjust in wide receiver Brandon Stokley and tight end Jacob Tamme.

And he has two of the NFL's most promising young receivers in third-year pros Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas, the biggest downfield threat he's had.

They lead a deep group of players vying to become the next Reggie Wayne or Marvin Harrison in Manning's aerial show.

"We always talk the opportunities are the greatest right now," Decker said. "We have a future Hall of Famer, a guy who's been to the Super Bowl, an All-Pro, someone who wants to win, too. I think as young receivers, we're hungry. We want to make the most of this opportunity and play our best football this year."

Catching Manning's passes is a thrill for a group of guys who loved Tim Tebow's passion but weren't fans of his erratic passing.

Manning is a perfectionist whom running back Lance Ball called a "player/coach," a description Decker finds appropriate because Manning is that rare breed of superstar who makes those around him better.

"It's been great. He's definitely a leader," Decker said. "This guy's going to demand the best out of himself and the best out of his teammates. I think a lot of guys respond to that."

Although he put in hours on local high school football fields playing catch with Stokley and Decker, among others, Manning laments that he had only 17 organized offseason practices to adjust to his new team. So he was among the most enthusiastic when training camp opened.

"Now it's full-time football," Manning said, the relief evident in his voice.

The Broncos, whose workout Friday was interrupted by a nearby lightning strike, will have 17 practices before they open the preseason at Chicago on Aug. 9.

Manning will be padded up this morning for the first time since playing in his 11th Pro Bowl following the 2010 season.

Before last season, the 36-year-old quarterback started all 277 of the Colts' games, including the postseason, during his first 13 years in the league.

He's never faced this much doubt about his durability, or, for that matter, his ability.

Coach John Fox swears he's not among those questioning whether Manning will hold up.

"I worry about all of them but not because of any past injury," Fox said.

Manning said his rehabilitation is a work in progress, and he declines to discuss specifics for competitive reasons, but he said his focus is on developing a rhythm with his receivers.

Decker is the one who's spent the most time on the other end of Manning's passes in Denver, and he said he already sees that work paying off.

"I think every chance you get" to catch Manning's throws "it just makes you better down the road," Decker said.

Manning said the Broncos' collection of experienced cover cornerbacks - Champ Bailey and newcomers Drayton Florence and Tracy Porter - will help Denver's young receiving corps blossom.

Although Andre Caldwell has the speed and shifty moves to push for prime playing time, the Broncos are eager to see what kind of years Decker and Thomas can put together with Manning under center.

Neither has been able to put together a complete season in the NFL. Decker shined for two months last season but faded after Tebow took over at quarterback for Kyle Orton. Thomas missed the first half of the season with a torn Achilles tendon and a shattered thumb but was unstoppable down the stretch.

Decker went down with a knee injury early in the Broncos' wild-card playoff game against Pittsburgh, and Thomas stepped up with four catches for 204 yards, including an 80-yard TD catch from Tebow on the first play of overtime.

Thomas had to undergo another operation to remove pins from his left thumb this offseason. So he was sidelined once again when Manning signed with Denver and immediately began throwing passes to Decker, his new workout buddy.

Thomas insists he wasn't jealous that Decker formed a rapport with Manning sooner than he had the chance to do.

"I basically just wanted to come in healthy, and whenever I started, I started," said Thomas, who returned to the field in May and has been doing yoga in hopes it will help him stay healthy for a change.

Thomas has some catching up to do.

"I'm getting to know Demaryius," Manning said. "I think you see that just like me, there's different phases. There's a minicamp/OTA sort of tempo, and then there's training camp, preseason, regular season and you hope playoffs. So I'm looking forward to getting to know all these guys throughout the different phases of a season and obviously trying to do my part throughout the different phases."

Though Manning is new to Denver, he's already a sage in the locker room, fielding a steady stream of queries from cornerbacks curious about how he deciphered a particular defense to receivers pursuing pointers.