ReutersJohn Elway calls the shots in Denver. But he checks with Peyton Manning first.
Elway, the Broncos’ front office boss, confirmed today that before signing free agent receiver Wes Welker, he first called Manning to see whether Manning thought Welker would be a good addition to Denver’s passing game.
“I asked Peyton about it yesterday to make sure he was on board,’’ Elway said, via the Denver Post.
That’s not surprising. The Broncos’ brass haven’t made any secret of the fact that everything they do is about building a team around Manning that can win a title in the remaining years Manning has left. And before they make a significant move like bringing in Welker, they’d like to see if Manning agrees that it’s the right move.
Still, it put Manning in an awkward situation because his good friend, Brandon Stokley, may end up out of work in Denver because of Welker’s arrival. The next time Manning and Stokley talk, it could be awkward.
At least, it would be if Stokley weren’t such a class act about it: Stokley has already gone on record as saying he thinks signing Welker was a great move for the Broncos. Obviously, Manning agrees.
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Obviously.
I wish Welker all the best. Except when he plays the Pats. Thanks for everything!
Oh gee, what would his answer be?
“Welker? Na, I’m good with Stockley”
Elway has been a great executive; I’ve got to hand it to him. He’s a HOF’er in his own right, but he doesn’t let his ego interfere with his job at all. Nice hire by Bowlen for seeing his potential as an exec. Quick turnaround in Denver from that McDaniel’s mess a few years back…
Good thing those two are in the Rockies, if someone ever wants to carve those heads in stone.
Gotta love Brandon Stokely. Have a feeling hes going to be a coach like his dad when he hangs em up.
Well, why wouldn’t he ask?
And Lord Peyton said thou shall sign Wes
John Elway was heard expressing concern over Chip Kelly and the need to bolster their defense with intelligent players capable of understanding how they are being abused by his system. Shock the world fellas!
I always ask for Manning’s input before I order Papa Johns pizza! He has never steered me wrong.
manning will never be better than brady. not www ven by stealing his targets. go packers!
Note to Elway: If you are the boss make a decision and Tell Manning who his new receiver is.
he asked peyton does he mind if we sign welker to help them choke in the playoffs like peyton is knowned for
The Broncos WR core is SICK!
Makes sense. With what they’re paying him he should be QB, OC, and GM.
Would have been better if he had poured some salt on the wound by calling Tom Brady and asking him if he thought it would be agood move for the Broncos.
Wow, I really thought welker would end up back in NE. The broncos got a good player and a good deal at 6 million a year. The scary teams just continue to get scarier. Niners vs Broncos in the super bowl barring major injuries.
Elway: Hey Manning, you want to screw Brady?
Peyton: Yup!
Apparently the Patriots didn’t talk to Brady before deciding to let Welker go.
I doubt Peyton would have said no… We’re talking about Wes Welker here.
Stokley has better hands than Welker and doesn’t run 5 yard routes. On paper this is a great addition, but I’m curious to see how Welker will fit into Mannings style of offense. He will have to actually run deeper routes.
Patriots fans earlier in the year – Who is Danny Amendola ?
Patriots fans now – He’s a great receiver, hes going to be better than Welker
Just smart management. You need your leadership to be on board or at least consulted. It happens in business every day.
Horse-teeth and Frankenstein working their magic..
Does anyone think Bill Belichick consulted with Tom Brady about whether to match?
Brady knows it’s a business and do you think that at 31 Welker was going to last 5 more years in NE .. Amendola is younger and if he can stay healthy the offense won’t miss a beat .
Broncos needed a running back, not another receiver. Manning can only throw the ball so often in each game. Do you really think Manning will pass for 1000 more yards this season? Welker will marginally improve the Broncos passing game.
since when has manning ever said no to adding another whitey to his arsenal
Yep, just like Indy. He wanted Wayne, he got him too.
Management style #1:
ask franchise QB if he can have permission to sign a player.
Management style # 2:
Let said receiver walk and piss off franchise QB for all of about 60 minutes and then sign a younger, faster, bigger, quicker version of above metnioed receiver.
Step 3: turn new younger faster quicker receiver into better version of old receiver.
If you’re the boss, you don’t have to ask permission.
Last time NE played Denver is wasn’t close.
At least we all know the Mavens won’t be sniffing the playoffs this year. 7-9
Somebody once asked Belichick if he wears a watch.
“No. They don’t start without me.”
Tell us something we didn’t already know (Common Sense)
#BroncoNation
profootballwalk says:Mar 13, 2013 8:39 PM: ” Broncos needed a running back, not another receiver”
Maybe- but when you have a threat at every level of the passing attack it will reduce the importance of a replacement for mcgahee. Substitute short passes for runs. Imagine being a d-coordinator mapping out a gameplan for 3rd downs against them…
If you’re John Elway and you had to play in the late 80′s & early 90′s with certain receivers that you were never asked about – you know from experience how it would feel to be ASKED your opinion by management. Especially with a QB like the one they have on the field now.
I’m sure there were plenty of guys that Dan Reeves and Wade Phillips stuck John with that he would rather have not been saddled with (see what I did there?)
@ Infectorman
The Pats have 2 tight ends who can’t stay a healthy, a receiver who cant stay healthy, horrible Secondary. Good Luck with Your Injury prone offence and bad defense. The Ravens will be fine as always and will continue to compete in the AFC.
akwaaarrddd
“I wish Welker all the best. Except when he plays the Pats. Thanks for everything!”
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I thought I was upset when they let Vrabel go. I wish Welker all the best *especially* when he plays the Pats.
A rb wouldn’t hurt but as of now mchahee, Moreno and hillman are all still under contract.
great now they have another guy they can blame instead of manning when he chokes again the playoffs. I can hear it now,we would have won if welker had made that catch after manning throws another crucial pick with the game on the line as he almost always does.
Welker is only good at 5-8 yard routes, which works out perfect since Manning can only throw the ball about 9 yards anyway.
@peytonsneck18,
“he asked peyton does he mind if we sign welker to help them choke in the playoffs like peyton is knowned for”
Kind of like you choked in english class with your George W. Bush-ism of the word “knowned”?
From what I know of Peyton, he is a SB winning QB with a first ballot HOF body of work who will very likely be referred to as one of the greats in this game when it is all said and done.
Exceptional work, Einstein. Your family must be proud.
briscocountyjr says: Mar 13, 2013 8:51 PM
Maybe- but when you have a threat at every level of the passing attack it will reduce the importance of a replacement for mcgahee. Substitute short passes for runs. Imagine being a d-coordinator mapping out a gameplan for 3rd downs against them…
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Very true but this only works if you have a QB that can take advantage of threats at every level and Manning isn’t that guy anymore. You have another guy who’s good in Mannings 15-20 yard range off the line of scrimmage and defenses are going to figure it out quick. It only took the Ravens one half to put together a gameplan to defend it.
@killit and invector…I’m sure you both, in all your vast NFL experience, know exactly how Elway needs to improve his management style. I’m sure he’s waiting for your calls.
What if they choke in the first round of the playoffs again?
I’m sure ever since this signing was announced, NFL network has been comparing Welker to Ed McCaffrey and Steve Watson.
In school Peyton Manning’s forehead was the blackboard.
@ravensfan which team has won the most games since 2000.
Here’s a hint…..it aint the ravens
pats will b fine belicheck >newsome
b4 this year the ravens had only beaten the pats TWICE they doubled that this year, and now that team is falling apart….lmaoo good luck “competing” with that
Can’t upset the greedy Swamp Boy after all.
By the way, where’d you get the photo of Elway shaking hands with the Frankenstein monster?
necr0philia says:
Mar 13, 2013 8:24 PM
I always ask for Manning’s input before I order Papa Johns pizza! He has never steered me wrong.
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Who are the 10 ppl that “thumbed down” this comment?
It’s hilarious!! Who could not like it?
OMG! The GM asked the QB about a receiver? How bizarre.
Why not? 2 HOF QBs discussing a potential quality slot guy for the team? “Hey, Peyton! Think you can do anything with this guy?”. Seems a no-brainer.
I wonder if Elway contacted Brady over this as well?? Seriously a dangerous core of Denver receivers. Add 2 additional wins to the 2013 season!
GB2013!
Those two suits cost more than I make in a year
I am glad that Welker got a deal and didn’t have to return to the Patriots! Kraft was all talk. ….we want to keep Welker a Patriot for life like Brady? Yet they were too cheap to pay 6 mil a year? Go Broncos! And I am a Bengal fan! Bill played him last year for not wanting to sign his tender, so he is better off out of there!
The division will be between KC and Denver.
Brandon Stokley = Team guy