New Look Broncos

"I don't consider it much of a risk, knowing Peyton Manning. I asked him, 'Is there any doubt in your mind that you can't get back to the Peyton Manning we know of?' And he said, 'There's no doubt in my mind.'" — John Elway

"I'm not where I want to be. I want to be where I was before I was injured. There's a lot of work to do to get where we want to be from a health standpoint." — Peyton Manning.

Peyton Manning is the quarterback of the Denver Broncos. As hard as it was for me to write that Tim Tebow is a New York Jet, it's even harder to acknowledge that Manning is the quarterback for the Denver Broncos. As I said on Facebook a week ago, the quarterback I love is with a team I loathe and the quarterback I hate is with the team I love. It is a difficult paradox to consider.

But it is a reality. That's where those stages of grief come in, I guess. I am at acceptance, but that doesn't mean that I have to like it or blindly believe that magic has come to the Broncos. Because anyone who believes the hype that Denver should be an 8-1 Super Bowl favorite because Manning signed is deluding themselves.

One of my complaints about how the Tim Tebow situation was handled was that the team never really acknowledged the problems they had with personnel. The best receiver, Brandon Lloyd, was traded before Tebow took over. They had a patchwork in the backfield behind Willis McGahee, and a patchwork in terms of receivers and tight ends.

When Tebow played for Florida, his receivers were Louis Murphy (Raiders), Percy Harvin (Vikings), Riley Cooper (Eagles), and David Nelson (Bills). And his tight end was Aaron Hernandez (Patriots). All of them are pro receivers who have contributed to their teams. At Denver, he was given Eric Decker (a mediocre second year pro), Eddie Royal (who was never used correctly) and Demarius Thomas (a second year pro coming off major injuries). And the tight end was Daniel Fells, not regarded as a great receiver. What kind of passing game was he going to be able to develop there?

Manning faces some of the same issues. He's a better passer, and could help the development of Decker and Thomas. They now signed Andre Caldwell — late of the Bengals — but it's hard to see how great he can be. Tight end was significantly upgraded with Jacob Tamme and Joel Driessen, but I still have questions on offense.

McGahee is 30, which is older for a primary back. Who else will run for Denver? Will Knowshon Moreno finally develop? And can they protect Manning? The Denver line is great for running, as they showed last year, but not as adept at passing. Manning's release, if healthy, could help that, but it is still a question.

Then there's the biggest question, what about the defense? Denver has a core of good defenders in Champ Bailey, Elvis Dumervill, and Von Miller. However, there are weaknesses and a lack of depth on the line — particularly at tackle — and at linebacker, where D.J. Williams will be suspended for six games. The signing of Tracy Porter helps in the secondary, but there is still questions at safety and questions of depth.

In short, there is a nucleus with potential in Denver. Manning is undoubtedly a more polished passer. But does that equate to a Super Bowl? Hard to say. And considering that Manning has historically struggled against AFC West teams (which will be six games for him this year) and has never been a great outdoor quarterback (hello, Denver, Colo.?) there will be plenty for this squad to prove on the field.