Broncos Think Manning Should Be League MVP

Peyton Manning (18) prepares to pass during the second quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at Sports Authority Field. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

“Love the One You’re With” isn’t just a 1970 solo from folk rocker Stephen Stills. It’s also a theme prevalent in the Denver Broncos locker room.

After Wednesday’s practice, there were plenty of Broncos showing Peyton Manning some love.

The big question was who should receive the league MVP award?

“I think it’s of course my quarterback, Peyton,” Demaryius Thomas said. “He came off a couple of neck injuries. To be able to come out and participate like he’s done, to be one of the top quarterbacks in the league in passing yards and quarterback rating, it’s unbelievable, because he had an injury that not many people come back from.”

Tight end Jacob Tamme agreed that it should be Manning as well.

“Because of everything that he’s gone through over the course of the last year, year and a half, and the leadership capabilities that he brings to a team and the play that he puts on the field,” Tamme said.

Manning finished the regular season setting a single-season franchise record in nearly every category. He had 400 completions, 4,659 passing yards, a 68.6% completion percentage, 37 touchdowns, and he averaged a 105.9 passer rating.

Adrian Peterson is the other front runner for the award. He fell just nine yards short of Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record with 2,097 yards. He came back after major knee surgery to repair two torn ligaments that he suffered in week 16 last year.

“You have to go with 18 (QB Peyton Manning),” defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson said. “The way he changed this team around. [Vikings RB] Adrian Peterson, there’s some heavy candidates out there. My hat’s with 18. My vote’s on 18. He took us to another whole level on this team internal-wise. Not just on the offense. Defense, special teams, everybody’s attention to detail goes up because you have somebody like that at the helm that wants the ball and that can do stuff when he gets the ball, so it’s always good.”

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