Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning’s arm strength has been a popular storyline dating back to training camp and preseason games. Manning clearly does not throw the football with the same velocity he once did. At times, he’s looked capable of overcoming his diminished arm strength. At others, he hasn’t.
Through three games, Manning has completed 69-of-115 passes (60.0 percent) for 824 yards (7.2 YPA), five touchdowns, and three interceptions. Those are above-average numbers, but the microscope remains focused on Manning because the Broncos are 1-2. If they were 3-0 or perhaps even 2-1, this would no longer be as much of a story.
Regardless, ESPN’s Ron Jaworski made some interesting statements on Monday morning’s SportsCenter about Manning’s ability to throw the football at age 36, coming back from four neck surgeries. We transcribed to pass them along to you.
“It’s still a work in progress,” said Jaws. “And we have to remember Peyton is still going through therapy to get his arm strength to 100 percent. The only thing that really bothers me about Peyton right now, is the ball is not spinning out of his hand ala an Aaron Rodgers, a Matthew Stafford, the guys who really spin it. So I think that eventually will come when he gets healthy. But he made some mistakes in his progressions and reads, which is unusual for Peyton Manning. But in due time, all these misreads will be corrected.
“… When I see the ball coming out of his hand, what I see is a little wobble on it. That’s not what you want to see. We like to see that thing spinning really nice, tight on a spiral.”
One veteran scout was a bit more candid and harsh in a recent back-and-forth with NFL Network’s Albert Breer.
“Peyton Manning can’t throw the ball anymore,” the scout observed.
Manning can quiet the concerns with victories. By winning football games. The Broncos host a Jekyll and Hyde Raiders team in Week Four, followed by tough road matchups at New England and San Diego. They have a bye in Week Seven.