The Broncos don’t need to worry about blackouts in 2012. As long, that is, as quarterback Peyton Manning can play.
More than 41,000 fans showed up for Peyton’s first pro scrimmage for a team other than the Indianapolis Colts, according to the Associated Press.
It was the biggest crowd to ever watch the Broncos practice, and it came during Manning’s first appearance at Mile High Stadium as a member of the home team.
The crowd roared when Manning found receiver Eric Decker for a nine-yard touchdown on the final snap of the scrimmage.
“Well, it was a great crowd,” Manning said after the session. “I know players were pumped; they were kind of feeding off the energy of the fans and everybody was into it. It will be a good film to learn from on Monday once we study. I thought there were some good things, and some things we need to work on, obviously, but overall, it was a productive day, in my opinion.”
The fans will next get a glimpse of Manning in a close-to-real game situation during the preseason. Former Colts coach Tony Dungy said during a Monday appearance on The Dan Patrick Show that Manning could take more preseason snaps than he did during past years of his career, in order to ensure that Manning is ready to go when the Steelers come to town in only 36 days.