Yesterday I wrote why it would behoove Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos to rely on a rush first offensive scheme. Today, Manning spoke at length about his support of new head coach Gary Kubiak and his offensive system.
"This is just part of the process and we're learning," Manning said. "But I'm committed, I'm all in on trying to make any adjustments that I have to and at the same time do some of the things that I've done well and hopefully keep doing those well and improve on things I need to improve on."
Kubiak has extensive experience running a West Coast offense with unique zone running principles that also includes play-action, rollouts, and snaps under center; things Manning may not fully consider his forte. But at 39-years-old, Manning's primary job is to stay healthy and effective down the stretch, unlike last season. Running this type of ground-based system will help keep him fresh. Still, Kubiak realizes which player makes this team go on game day.
"I would be stupid not to have Peyton to do the things he has done better than anybody as one of the best ever," the head coach said.
Denver's offense has averaged 34 points per game over the last two seasons and even set an NFL single-season record with 606 points in 2013. So how does this new scheme compare to that?
"There's got to be another story out there, I'm not doing June evaluations," Manning said when asked how he likes Kubiak's offense. "Look, we're working right now...To me, to say if I liked it or didn't like it, it would I think opinion mattered, which I don't. It doesn't. It's our job to execute the plays and make it work."
The Broncos will possibly have some new faces on offense up front along the offensive line and in the backfield, something Manning is still getting used to.
"I'm learning, I'm learning the requirements of me," Manning said. "I'm learning how [tight end] Owen Daniels runs his routes, running back C.J. [Anderson] obviously getting more repetitions with him. C.J. of course, if you talk to him you think he's about a 12-year-veteran starter and he's only started six games. I'm getting a top of reps with him, and the sky is the limit for him, I will say that...But [overall], what we do scheme-wise is kind of between us."
