Peyton Officially Joins Broncos; Caleb Hanie Signed As Backup

Lindsay H. Jones of the Denver Post reports that David Cutcliffe, who was Manning’s coach at Tennessee, observed the quarterback’s workouts at Duke University. Cutcliffe is confident that Manning will be just as good as ever.

Cutcliffe stated that Manning could play a game now, if necessary. Fans will have to wait a while longer to see for themselves, but Cutcliffe’s comments may go a ways to putting them at ease.

For more on the decision, visit SB Nation’s Broncos blog, Mile High Report. And for more on Denver sports, check out SB Nation Denver.

We saw a few teams add new starters, a few more pick up quality backups while others will take their chances in the NFL draft. A couple more teams still don’t have a clear answer at quarterback.

There was a lot of quarterback movement this year so it’s time to recap some of the highlights.

Manning’s health will be scrutinized but according to a number of reports he should be healthy enough to play when the 2012 season kicks off. Manning himself even said during Tuesday’s press conference that he could play this Sunday if he had to. He just may not play as well as he wants, to considering the time he’s been away from the field.

If you’re going all in on one player, it may as well be a four-time league MVP. I guess that’s why the Broncos’ Super Bowl odds are on the rise.

A few highlights of Tuesday’s news conference:

Manning said he won’t be the offensive coordinator for the Broncos. Manning is known for having total control of his offenses in Indianapolis so some wondered how much control he would have of the offense in Denver. He may not be the offensive coordinator but I’m sure he’ll have plenty of input.

For more on the decision, visit SB Nation’s Broncos blog, Mile High Report. And for more on Denver sports, check out SB Nation Denver.

The first year of Manning’s deal with the Broncos will pay the quarterback $18 million without injury protection for the Denver Broncos, according to Brandt. The Broncos will then pay Manning $40 million guaranteed for the next two seasons, pending Manning passing a physical in March of 2013. The final two seasons of Manning’s deal will pay out $19 million each season.

As it stands right now, Manning’s deal is essentially a one-year deal for $18 million guaranteed, but if he’s fully healthy in March of 2013, it will jump to a total of $58 million guaranteed for the first three years.

Colts owner Jim Irsay released a statement after the Manning-to-Denver news became official.

Manning is 36 years old, and he’s hoping for similar success to what John Elway had with the Broncos at that age. In the late 1990s, Elway won back-to-back Super Bowls before retiring. Manning and the Colts went to two Super Bowls together, winning one.

Manning’s official introduction is expected to come at a Tuesday afternoon press conference, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. (ET).

It’s going to be interesting to see how Manning’s contract is structured and how much is legitimately guaranteed. Reportedly, Manning was prepared to give his new team insurances in the instance he’s not completely healthy to play by the start of the 2012 season. Manning recovering from a number of neck surgeries and continues to rehab in order to build up his arm strength.

As expected, Broncos players are taking the news of Manning’s arrival very well.

Those reasons include the boatload of salary cap Denver currently has, a promising defense and a solid offensive line. Jon Bois of SBNation.com went through the stats and concluded that Manning should be just fine in Denver.

Now, thanks to Peyton Manning, many Tennessee Volunteers fans have already taken over Broncos rooting duties, relieving Florida supporters of the responsibility.

Will Shelton of SB Nation’s exquisite Vols blog, Rocky Top Talk, says, “I’m a Titans fan and a Manning fan, in that order. But that’s the minority opinion among our readers and, I’d think, most of East Tennessee.”

We’re over five months removed from the 2012 NFL season when Peyton Manning will play his first game with the Denver Broncos. Between now and then, there’s really nothing to do but stare at football statistics and stare and stare and stare and maybe mumble some sort of statistical conclusion at some point. So, let’s do that!

Batted baseballs and kicked footballs travel further in Denver’s thin air, so it would seem obvious that a thrown football would also travel further. That’s “further,” of course, which isn’t the same as, “more accurately.” Regardless, we can probably agree that the altitude affects a quarterback’s performance, whether positively or negatively, and whether to a small to degree or a large degree.

SB Nation’s latest at YouTube examines the ripple effect of a decision like the one we saw on Monday morning from Peyton Manning.

For more on the decision, visit SB Nation’s Broncos blog, Mile High Report. And for more on Denver sports, check out SB Nation Denver.

Broncos RB Willie McGahee obviously realizes the importance of the Manning addition as it relates to free agency. Via McGahee on Twitter:

For more on the decision, visit SB Nation’s Broncos blog, Mile High Report. And for more on Denver sports, check out SB Nation Denver.

Vegas odds agree that Denver can become dominant. Now that Manning is joining the Broncos, only a handful of teams have better Super Bowl odds than Denver.

For more on the decision, visit SB Nation’s Broncos blog, Mile High Report. And for more on Denver sports, check out SB Nation Denver.

Edit: Upon further review, it actually sounds like there’s no cussing. But evidence of gambling! Gambling!

In the middle of an apparent segment on news breaking via Twitter, news broke via Twitter:

R.J. Bell of Pregame.com passes along word that the Broncos were originally 25:1 odds to land Manning. Their Super Bowl odds before acquiring Manning were even more of a longshot -- 70:1.

After landing Manning, though, Pregame.com has the Broncos at 10:1 odds to win the next Super Bowl.

But you obviously can’t say the same for Broncos fans. They went out and added a guy who might be the greatest free agent in NFL history. SB Nation’s Mile High Report is buzzing about the big addition calling it the greatest moment in Broncos history outside of their Super Bowl victories.

Elway just joined the Broncos last year as executive VP of football operations. He’s relatively new to running a front office in the NFL yet he beat out several seasoned front offices in his pursuit of Manning. That’s no small deal. It also likely creates a ripple effect in which other free agents may be more interested in playing for Denver now.

This creates a potentially awkward situation for the teams that were in on Manning but didn’t get him, like the Titans. Tennessee owner Bud Adams issued a statement shortly after the Manning-to-Denver news broke.

Can’t be easy to be seemingly so close to landing one of the greatest free agents in NFL history -- and losing out.

Denver’s defense was a big part of their resurgence last season so Manning will be coming to a well-balanced team.

This is a big move for Denver and one that changes the landscape of the NFL. Assuming Manning is healthy, the Broncos should be one of a handful of teams who have legitimate Super Bowl dreams.

The other question is, what is Tebow’s trade value? It’s obvious now that the Broncos are going to try to unload Tebow and will want to recoup some of the value they gave up getting him, which was a first round pick. It’s highly unlikely a team who looks desperate to trade him will get back any kind of significant value.

For more on the decision, visit SB Nation’s Broncos blog, Mile High Report. And for more on Denver sports, check out SB Nation Denver.

The Broncos won the AFC West last season, and with Manning they’ll be the favorite to repeat. In fact, they have to be considered a Super Bowl contender right now.

For more on the decision, visit SB Nation’s Broncos blog, Mile High Report. And for more on Denver sports, check out SB Nation Denver.

Smith is a free agent, but he was widely expected to resign with Niners after reportedly being happy with the team’s three-year contract offer. Smith and Manning are both represented by Tom Condon of CAA, so the case could be made that Condon believes the Niners are the front-runners for Manning and he’s preparing Smith for when the 49ers’ contract offer is rescinded.

For all news and analysis for the Dolphins, check out The Phinsider. For updates on the 49ers, be sure to check out Niners Nation and SB Nation Bay Area.

For more on the Titans, head over to the SB Nation blog Music City Miracles. For more on Manning and his decision, stay tuned to this StoryStream.