Over 4,000 fans gather to see Manning training with Broncos

Peyton Manning’s 1st full practice in pads in 18 months drew rave reviews from his coaches and teammates – and one recommendation that his health is not even an issue.

Manning put on an aerial show with Broncos WR Eric Decker and others in the latest milestone to his return from a nerve injury that cost him all of last season and led on to his release from the Colts .

Although Manning threw in full pads during his auditions at Duke University for the Broncos and other suitors during his 1st expedition into free agency in March and again at times while working out in Denver, this was his 1st real action in full pads since the Pro Bowl following the 2010 season.

Manning didn’t address the media after, but Coach John Fox stated that he thought Manning’s performance was wonderful.

“The guy comes to work each day whether it’s in that building or on that field, he attacks it like no other,” Fox claimed.

Although the defenders weren’t permitted to hit the Broncos’ new $96 million man, Manning seemed to have an extra pep in his step in his 1st practice at Dove Valley that wasn’t in shells or shorts.

“It was great,” WR Brandon Stokley announced. “It was like the 1st day of college. Football without pads, it isn’t football. Hence when you put the pads on, you know you’re getting close to the season.” Internet Sportsbook

Through 3 days of training camp it’s become apparent that Manning’s health is not very much of a problem while it might be a little time before he is taking his first hit, another big signpost on his comeback from 4 neck procedures.

“I claimed this when I was working out with him 5 months ago – he looks great,” Stokley recounted. “So, for us now, it’s kind of a non-concern of how Peyton’s feeling, how he’s doing. That’s sort of so 3 months back. Now he’s fine. There is nothing wrong with him.”

Stokley, who played with Manning in Indianapolis from 2003-06, said his old friend looks as good today as he probably did back then.

“He looks like he’s just gotten better and better,” Stokley declared. “He looks normal.”

“He looked good when we 1st got him, to be honest with you,” offensive coordinator Mike McCoy concurred. “I knew some things he had told us before he got here, what he thought of where he was, and he’s gotten better every day. He’s worked extremely hard to get to the point he’s at right now.”

The next mile marker in Manning’s return will be when he’s taking his 1st big hit. Just when that will come is a mystery.

Manning threw precious few passes in the preseason in Indianapolis, and the Broncos haven’t revealed how much he’ll play in their exhibitions. They open at Chicago on August 9 but Manning, whose quick release and cerebral play doesn’t lead straight to very many hits on the QB anyway, may not take his 1st blast from a defender till the season opener against Pittsburgh on September 9, or even later.