Peyton Manning Not Excluding Any Broncos’ Receivers
By Editorial Staff
Nov 18 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley (14) pulls in a thirty one yard pass from quarterback Peyton Manning during the second quarter of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field. (Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE)
Peyton Manning’s most familiar target, Brandon Stokley, led the Denver Broncos in receiving in the team’s 30-23 win over the San Diego Chargers, but even he had a modest 4 catches for 55 yards and a touchdown.
That’s because Manning had nine different receivers catch passes from him with three different players catching a touchdown pass.
“I think it is good to spread it around to keep a team from doubling on one guy, and then we can win on single coverage on the backside,” Manning said after the game.
Demaryius Thomas was targeted the most with9 attempts, but he had just 3 receptions. Stokley, Jacob Tamme, and Joel Dreessen had 4 catches each.
“I’m just trying to follow the progression,” Manning said. “I think [offensive coordinator] Coach (Mike)McCoy sends different guys in there, puts guys in different places. I mean you see (Eric) Decker, DT (Demaryius Thomas), Stokley moving around. We do all the bunch formations, those type of things. You see the tight ends in the backfield. You see Ronnie (Hillman) out in empty out in the slot. I think he (McCoy) does a good job kind of studying what we’re doing and trying to move guys around and mix it up, and just kind of follow the progressions. Sometimes we’re running the same play and the first progression might be a different guy because he’s in a different spot in the formation.”
The Broncos are 5th in receiving yards per game (300.6). The four teams ahead of them aren’t as balanced, however. Detroit (24th), New Orleans (28th), Atlanta (26th), and Oakland (31st) are ranked worse than the Broncos’ 21st ranked rush game.
Make sure to follow Predominantly Orange on Facebook and on Twitter.