Broncos Offense Clicks at right time, defense pounces on its Chances to Stun AFC West foe, Chiefs, in Thriller

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Peyton Manning made history Thursday night. And not by becoming the first player to announce his retirement during a game. After persistent talk of his demise, Manning showed resolve in the +Denver Broncos' 31-24 victory over the +Kansas City Chiefs that will long be remembered for Denver's two touchdowns in nine seconds that came in the last minute of the AFC West game.

With the Broncos trailing 14-0, criticism of Manning could be heard from Arrowhead Stadium to old Mile High. Legends, outside of John Elway, rarely exit on their own terms. There's an awkward dance of diminished skills and hurt feelings. Manning will leave someday. But not on this day.

"This guy took a lot of (bleep) this week," coach Gary Kubiak said as he gave Manning a game ball, as shown on postgame video posted online by the Broncos.

Manning beat the Chiefs for a ninth consecutive time — no other quarterback has done that — and the Broncos won their 13th consecutive division road game, an NFL record... H/T +The Denver Post - Original (rest of story) click here

Emmanuel Sanders Makes the Top 100 Players of the NFL (Voted on by his peers) - Congratulations Mr. Sanders!!

Sanders knew exactly where and what he was headed for in Mile High

I dance not 2 show up opponents but 2 celebrate the findings of the end zone! Can't wait 2 find it again soon. Love! pic.twitter.com/iwI6OtvOYW
— Emmanuel Sanders (@ESanders_10) February 2, 2014

Maybe +Emmanuel Sanders decided that a dance was not quite befitting and "Striking a Pose" was far more appropriate. +Denver Broncos +BRONCOS CR3W - Quite the intuition Sanders had when signing with Denver last week.

Photo Courtesy: +The Associated Press +Denver Broncos +NFL 

MANNING, SANDERS HOOK UP FOR 3 TDS TO LIFT BRONCOS OVER CHARGERS

+The Associated Press 

Associated Press (DenverBroncos.com)

With this much speed and acceleration, it's no surprise Emmanuel Sanders is so adept at catching up.

Sanders waited six long weeks to join the list of players who have caught a touchdown pass from Peyton Manning. Now, he has four in less than a week.

Manning and Sanders connected for a trio of touchdowns Thursday night in the +Denver Broncos' 35-21 victory over the San Diego Chargers .

"We understand in this offense, it can be anyone's night at any moment," said Sanders, who didn't catch his first TD pass for Denver until Sunday night, when Manning set the career record. "I'm just happy tonight was my night."

Sanders caught all nine passes Manning threw his way and gained 120 yards Thursday night.

He needs just 106 more yards to top his best season he ever had in four years in Pittsburgh. That's all in a night's work for Sanders, who has four career 100-yard receiving games, all this season.

"I'm enjoying playing with him," Manning said. "He's got a great work ethic. He really loves football and he brings that energy to practice every day and also to the playing field. ... He was pretty special tonight."

With the Chargers' banged-up secondary double-teaming red-hot receiver Demaryius Thomas, Sanders caught TD throws of 2, 31 and 3 yards. The last one followed Chris Harris Jr.'s interception of a flustered Philip Rivers.

Shots of the Game: #Broncos-#Chargers #SDvsDEN14 #NFL #BroncosCR3W http://t.co/NN5WE0l9AN pic.twitter.com/RWIgKIPWKJ
— Broncos CR3W (@BRONCOSCR3W) October 28, 2014

Rookie running back Juwan Thompson added two TD runs as the Broncos (6-1) tightened their grip on the AFC West division in the +NFL over the Chargers (5-3), who lost their second straight game.

"It's an accomplishment for the room," said Ronnie Hillman, who carried 20 times for 109 yards. "It's a touchdown for the room. He's taking them, but that's all right. He earns them. That's a tough 2 yards to get. I'm just playing my role getting him down there."

Manning finished 25 of 35 for 286 yards with three TDs and no interceptions or sacks five nights after breaking Brett Favre's career touchdown mark.

Sanders' speed, combined with Hillman's second gear, is the juice GM John Elway had in mind when he said the Broncos could be better this year than they were last season.

"John Elway and his staff went out and wanted to increase our team speed in all phases of the game and I think we've done that," coach John Fox said.

+BRONCOS CR3W - http://bit.ly/1wbzK6s

Sanders called Denver "wide receivers' heaven" when he joined the Broncos in the spring. He spent his first five games in a Broncos uniform piling up the yards -- 473 of them -- but wistfully wishing to become the 45th player to catch a touchdown pass from Manning.

The only blemish in Sanders' breakout night was his fumble in the fourth quarter that +Wes Welker recovered.

His teammates teased him that he'll be carrying around the football with the green beanie as punishment next week.

"But it's not big deal," Sanders said. "It's only going to make me better."

Each time Thompson scored, Rivers and the Chargers responded with 80-yard drives that ended with touchdown catches by tight end Antonio Gates. His first score was a 4-yard grab on fourth down, his second a 10-yard catch with 9 1/2 minutes left that made it 35-21.

Rivers finished 30 of 41 for 252 yards with three TDs and two interceptions.

Brandon McManus missed a 53-yard field goal with six minutes remaining, giving the Chargers great field position, but safety Rahim Moore intercepted Rivers' pass to Malcolm Floyd at the Denver 4 and the Broncos grounded it out from there.

With Sanders having a big day, Demaryius Thomas quietly topped 100 yards himself for the fourth straight week, finishing with 105 yards on eight catches, a team record.

Manning broke another of Favre's records on this night, albeit a much more obscure one: he now has 16 seasons with 20 or more touchdown passes, one more than Favre. And he's approaching another of Favre's marks: with his 157th career multiple TD game, Manning is two shy of Favre's mark in that category.

After losing at home to the Chargers on a Thursday night in December -- Denver's only home loss last season -- the Broncos changed their work week. They practiced without pads and helmets.

But their first two drives led to punts as defensive coordinator John Pagano again found ways to thwart Manning even with a banged-up secondary that was missing cornerbacks Brandon Flowers (concussion) and Steve Williams (groin).

Then, Sanders starting finding the end zone.

+Denver Broncos : Photo Courtesy (AP) +NFL +CBS Sports +Chargers 

"They're better than us right now," San Diego safety Eric Weddle said. "That's the reality of it. It's a long season. When we meet them again, however many more times, we'll be better."

Even Manning found something he didn't like on his and Sanders' big night.

He didn't like it when the scoreboard operator fired up the crowd when the Broncos were trying to chew up the clock.

"I'm not sure what he's doing, he's playing music and showing players dancing and getting the crowd fired up when we have the ball," Manning complained. "I don't think we should be doing that. I don't think we should be showing their quarterback on the sideline. I thought that was disrespectful.

"Our fans are great. Our fans are loud. Our scoreboard operator, it wasn't his best night."

Notes: Gates became the Chargers' career leader in yards receiving with 9,610, breaking the mark set by Hall of Fame WR Lance Alworth (9,584). ... Broncos LB Lamin Barrow sustained a concussion.

Week 1 Final: A "W!" at home vs the Colts. Tale of two halves. Roby looks ready for the part!

How the Broncos Fared with Free Agency Additions, NFL New Year, 2014

Broncos' free agency scorecard: Arrivals

In the it-seems-like-a-lot-longer department, NFL free agency will have been open for about a month by the time Wednesday afternoon rolls around.

And for the +Denver Broncos those six days were filled with plenty of negotiations and some big checks. As Broncos’ executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway has put it, it was all in the name of filling “glaring needs’’ on the roster. The idea, Elway said, is to have enough salary cap space to participate in free agency if you wish, limit the dead money (salary cap charges for players no longer with the team) and position the Broncos to look at the draft board in May and select the best players available with each pick instead those who are needed the most.


Ward

S T.J. Ward

What did he sign for? Four years, $22.5 million, $5 million to sign

Why him? Ward estimated he played “about 70 percent of the time’’ down in the box for the Cleveland Browns last season. And that’s just the kind of presence the Broncos want, and need, in a defense that spends much of its time in specialty looks.

He had 112 tackles last season in that role and will bring some toughness into the team’s secondary. The Broncos do prefer their safeties to be interchangeable if possible and able to line up as strong safeties in some situations and play out in coverage more as free safeties at times as well.

This will be the player, the casual fan suddenly falls in love with because of his intensity, physicality, and generally, great play that they overlooked (or did not really know of him) because of the other big splash free agent signings. He has just started his prime as well. Outside of Jarius Byrd, Ward was the best available safety and probably the best run support safety in free agency. The +Denver Broncos defense was more of an aberration than most last year. They've got talent at all positions and with the type of home field they've instituted as well as the NFL's record setting offense to use to their advantage. The main focus is stopping the run so teams cannot keep them off of the field. But creating takeaways and the turnover battle was the sole negative attribute to the AFC Championship squad. The special teams are included in that category as a turnover on special teams or even an allowed return is as good as a pick 6. These plays are that evident in teams win percentage when getting one or allowing one. 

What happened in the Super Bowl, they effectively turned it over 8 times in that game, by the special teams analogy mentioned above. They ranked #2 in the NFL the year before with a much healthier defense and the Broncos have as much talent, if not more on this side of the ball, when healthy. Elway did his usual thing, the first signing was a significant player, a bit unknown, but a major addition that will be a significant strength for them. Last year it was Louis Vasquez as +BRONCOS CR3W was very happy with. Similar to signing Ward. With a healthy Rahim Moore, Talib, Von Miller, Chris Harris, Pot Roast, Danny Trevathan, DeMarcus Ware, Sly Williams and co., they are a list of very stout, stellar defensive players.

While the game film shows Ward has clearly played the role of strong safety far more in his career, he has the ability to drop into coverage when asked. It was no accident he was the Broncos’ first target when the bidding began and after the team initially believed Ward would be out of their price range, the two sides found a deal to their liking.

Ward has $7 million guaranteed in 2014 with the potential for a $4 million guaranteed next March and a potential $2.5 million guaranteed in March of 2016.

At the moment Ward projects as the Broncos’ strong safety with Rahim Moore, former +UCLA Bruins standout, returning at free safety. Ward could also line up as a weak-side linebacker in some of the Broncos’ specialty dime (six defensive backs) and seven-defensive back looks.

Grade = A (9.5/10) (if a rating on a scale of 1 to 10 clarifies it better for some)


Talib
CB Aqib Talib

What did he sign for? Six years, $57 million, $5 million to sign.

Why him? Talib represents the Broncos’ biggest gamble in free agency. The deal is far more salary-cap friendly for the team than was initially believed when the numbers were first floated after the two sides agreed to terms.

If Talib plays every game in ’14 he gets $12 million guaranteed this season -- signing bonus, roster bonus and base salary to go with another potential total of $500,000 in game-by-game bonuses. If for some reason things don't go as hoped for them, the Broncos can part ways after ’14 with limited salary cap implications and the potential impact goes down significantly each year after that.

But Talib has never played 16 games in a season. He has said the hip injury many have cited -- that’s how the +New England Patriots listed him this past season on the injury report -- was not, in fact a hip injury, but rather a thigh injury and that he’s “100 percent’’ on his arrival to the Broncos.

He has top-level speed, has matched up with some of the league’s best -- he held the Saints’ Jimmy Graham without a catch last season -- and plays with a physical edge. It’s all needed in the Broncos defense and why the Broncos moved so quickly last Tuesday night when apprised of Talib’s interest in them.

But the injury issue is there. If he can consistently stay on the field, however, it’s a win at a high-need position for Broncos. Regardless, the +Denver Broncos released franchise All-Pro CB, Champ Bailey, and were in need of placing a top CB in the +NFL on their roster. Talib offers a lot of versatility. Much like +BRONCOS CR3W have mentioned on many occasions about Chris Harris. Talib is even a little bigger and longer. Giving the Broncos a CB that can go inside and play the slot WR/TE or go on the outside.

DRC provided the Broncos with an unexpected necessity of having a top CB in the lineup with all the injuries they suffered. Albeit, the Broncos pass defense was a below average 19th in the NFL last year. Talib, not only was plucked from the +New England Patriots as mentioned but also is signed to multiple years entering his prime. Many sources confirmed the Broncos had a very similar type offer to DRC, who signed later with the +New York Giants for much less. Elway isn't about to take a 'siesta' when the NFL "New Year" begins. If DRC hadn't panned out, they could have been looking at FA CB's that are not of that caliber and/or hoping to replace that big of piece through the draft. Fortunately, Elway doesn't play 'wait and see' and landed Talib who was a big time asset for the Patriots, now wearing Orange. Patriots were fortunate to land Darrelle Revis after being released and many sang the praises of Belichick, but overreacting would be putting it nicely. Originally thought to be 1 year, it is a 2 year deal with a significant cap hit. Manu oblivious statements like, "Broncos mortgage..." their cap and future by the contracts they putting out there.

For those paying attention though, after much more research into the specifics of the contracts and the cap space they were taking a hit on or risking next year or the following year showed nothing really of the sort. They were paying Champ a similar salary and released him. Essentially just retaining that contract. Cap space increases over the last two years and what is expected to be more again next. Silly thing is that if that were the case, why didn't the Broncos overspend on Decker, D'Qwell Jackson (now an +Indianapolis Colts LB), and Zane Beadles (+UTES CR3W). Basically scaling out the losses and releases to the additions of current free agent contracts, cap space. Looking into the cap for the following few seasons and Elway emphasized this by the jump to the conclusions, breaking second news reporters that often knee jerk react instead of waiting to hear out details. Not a surprise, "Elway Effect" is becoming a common phrase by the ability to land the big name free agents and navigating the salary cap to do so.

Talib is one of the best CB in the game and although +BRONCOS CR3W often referred to Chris Harris as the best kep secret in the NFL for CB's and thanks to Chris Harris and his awesome play, it is no longer remaining a secret. Some gasped at the signing bonus etc, but the bones includes a significant payout if he were to suffer a career ending injury. Writing in between the lines that no tweet or short paragraph posts from +Bleacher Report, +FanSided, and/or +RantSports that has no depth or clarity. Just a headline grabber to stir the 'millenial' troll pot a little bit and to get a page driven click. We declare on the outset that we are not gonna blow minds with most articles, but we will do some diligence in the title or opening paragraph as to the nature of our posts. Read some headline from +Bleacher Report and it end up being completely irrelevant or lacking any cool graphic. pic. They are fairing off well and we enjoy some of their posts, but many of them use +Pro Football Focus rating to 'make it appear' like there is depth to their analysis with all PFF does it make rating that are so badly based from the out set, we are baffled they even attempt to pass them off as valid analysis or statistical analysis. That's the rag on the blog culture out there for the Broncos CR3W, "Monday Already" segment to roll out down the road.

It is the 3rd offseason 'pundits' have spoken such.  Elway certainly was adamant about that and he also has no fear of being fired or let go as a GM. Elway does not rely on this to give him creed for future GM slots around the league. This IS Elway's Broncos'. It's only appropriate that the team he would spend so much time performing his job is the franchise the he himself built as a Hall of Fame QB of the Broncos. Elway isn't afraid of being fired, he is an extremely successful philanthropist, entrepreneur, and business owner. He is not concerned about that or being fired and in some way, may gives him an advantage because Elway is a "football player" at heart. He always said that to critics during his playing days. He did not think of himself as a QB, he was a football player, first and foremost.

Grade: A (9.5/10)


Ware

DE DeMarcus Ware

What did he sign for? Three years, $30 million, $5 million to sign.

Why him? The Broncos had red-alert issues on the depth chart in the secondary and at defensive end when free agency opened. In terms of initial guaranteed money, the Broncos dove in with more for Ware than they gave to Talib.

Ware has $16.5 million guaranteed out the gate, including his $3 million base salary in ’14, his signing bonus, another $5 million bonus and $3.5 million guaranteed in his $7 million base salary for 2015. Ware also has and additional $6.5 million worth of potential guarantees in 2015 if he’s on the roster on the fifth day of the league year.

That’s a big commitment to a player who will soon be 32 years old, but the Broncos see a player with 117 career sacks who has missed just three games in his career and who was playing at a high level until he tried to play through an injury last season. Ware had elbow surgery early in the offseason and says “I’m ready to go’’ for the Broncos.

He’s a potential every-down player for the Broncos, but they will monitor how they use him to maximize his impact. A powerful and accomplished lead-by-example guy they believe will help mentor Von Miller as well as 2013 draft pick Quanterus Smith.

Broncos CR3W will be honest, at first, this signing and the expediency of it. Ware went through his first season with nagging injuries costing him playing time and quality of play. That said, Ware is not in his mid 30 that many start to see that decline of performance unfolding. He is still 31 and has pep in his step. He is very good rushing the passer obviously but he can remain in there for rushing personnel as well. Rushing the pass was possibly the biggest variable the Broncos need to address after coming up short in Super Bowl XLVIII last season vs the +Seattle Seahawks. Von Miller tore his ACL late in the season last year. Kevin Vickerson, Derek Wolfe were on IR as well. The signing in the secondary would be reckless if they didn't address this and the addition of Ware was massive. Peyton's window is shrinking as many would say. Without a pass rush and man know, Von Miller could be the best in the league when he is at his best. Miller demands double teams often and that luxury will be much tougher with possibly the best pass rushing interior DT's in the NFL, Terrance "Pot Roast" Knighton, last year's #1 pick, Sylvester Williams, and a markedly improvement by Malik Jackson who can go outside and play DE on downs. The draft has some very deep talent and prospect pool for nearly all positions and many consider, as do we, the best draft class in 15 to 20 years. Initially, we gave this a B (8/10)

DeMarcus Ware Highlights on Broncos TV 

Grade: A- (9/10)

Miller's return is unknown and it could be very possible to see him need next season to get that last 5% that some with ACL repairs find missing less than a year removed from an ACL repair. Chris Harris suffered a torn ACL too, but he did not tear the MCL or PCL, so many suspect his return should be quicker an easier way to find the remaining 5% from that 100%. There's only one Adrian Peterson that comes back from 6 months removed of ACL surgery and is better than ever...

WR Andre Caldwell

What did he sign for? 2 years, $3.45 million.

Andre "Bubba" Caldwell running for a TD after connecting with Peyton Manning. Baybay Thomas (right)
blocking Chargers DB. Week 15, 2013 +NFL season. Photo Courtesy: +NBC Sports (Sports Images/Getty)

Why him? The Broncos had just two wide receivers -- Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker -- on the roster when free agency opened who had also been on the team’s 53-man roster last season.

The Broncos see a deep and speedy class of big, physical receivers on the draft board and will give a long look toward using a premium pick on one of them. But signing Caldwell, a player quarterback Peyton Manning trusts in the offense, before free agency formally opened allowed the Broncos to have some patience in the opening waves of the bidding and as they prepare for the draft.

Grade = B+ (8.9/10) *with an even higher upside to the grade*

Caldwell has made the most of his chances when he has seen the field. The fact that he was signed the same off season as Peyton Manning (signed prior to Peyton signing) lends itself to have some very high upside here. Peyton showed many times, and even in the Super Bowl that he has confidence and is not going to hesitate throwing to Caldwell. He ended up with 3 TDs for 3 starts. Filling in when Welker sat out. The familiarity is there and Caldwell knows Peyton's checks, etc. Last year, during the off-season when Peyton set up throwing and practicing with his WRs, RBs, skill players, Caldwell was not there. Baybay, Decker, and +Wes Welker were. This year, Caldwell was invited in the same offeror dialogue with Demaryius, Welker, and Julius Thomas. Caldwell is now in his 3rd year with the Broncos and really in the prime of his career at this moment. He's shown he can grab receptions in live action and we do not see why it would not be the same. Hard to argue for a select few that others' offer what Eric Decker did as a receiver.

Broncos record-setting offense would probably find Caldwell putting up some nice stat line if he saw the field as often. Maybe a bit of a stretch. Not too mention the draft as we've pointed out, is so deep at WR talent, it is hard to fathom some are going to be a late first round to even mid round selections. Just one year earlier, WR's picked well into the 2nd and 3rd rounds this year cold have been one of the first 5 WRs chosen last year. Position is pretty locked up and some potentially raw, unpolished talent in the practice squad ranks. Julius Thomas, Rod Smith are just a couple names to come from such places. After signing the speedy, just entering his prime/peak of his career and had the best season statistically of his career, the Broncos added to, fortify, having Caldwell (whose grade became an A (10/10) after Emmanuel Sanders was signed to terms.


Sanders

WR Emmanuel Sanders

What did he sign for? 3 years for approximately $17 million.

Why him? The league is abuzz with the fact he had agreed to terms with the +Kansas City Chiefs, but he agreed to terms with the Broncos Sunday.

The two sides had agreed to terms Sunday and he was scheduled for a physical Sunday at the team’s Dove Valley complex. The Broncos discussed plenty of receivers in the opening days of free agency and had Sanders at, or near, the top of their list, but waited for some of the dust to settle a bit.

Sanders is undersized so the Broncos will be a smaller group overall, at least until the draft, than they were with Eric Decker in the mix last season. But he has versatility in that he can play, with production, both the outside and slot positions.

He does drop some passes at times, but he gives the Broncos more speed on the depth chart with the ability to play all over the formation.

Grade = A- (9/10)

There is no denying that the +Chicago Bears, +New England Patriots, +Tampa Bay Buccaneers amongst others did well in free agency, but it is very difficult to dispute the +Denver Broncos did not address their needs and depth via free agency for what it is already a loaded roster. As we always say at +BRONCOS CR3W, "Time will Tell..." 

Piece Number 4 of the Mile High Welcoming Committee for 2014 NFL New Year: Broncos WR, former Steelers' WR, Emmanuel Sanders

Welcome to the VIP section, we often refer to as, "Mile High Club," Mr. Sanders. In his first couple hours of being introduced he tabbed the term and to our relief (after witnessing social medium disasters of players tweeting out a general everyday chat with Richard Sherman or a Vince Young (BACKUP QB) tweeting "Dream Team..." Sander not only, placed an appropriate term but it also will not have return flack or extra motives by the trollers of the great +Denver Broncos by coining Dove Valley, +Sports Authority Field at Mile High, and the other aspect of the organization, "Wide receiver heaven..." Thank you, Emmanuel for not posting or saying something to tee off the Steelers or any other zealous franchises out there. A superb addition! And kept the Steelers, Ravens, Chiefs, Chargers, and 49ers away! :)

+NFL.com twitter (Original)

Per Request: Broncos CR3W "WR Heaven" A few Pix - Collages

S/O to Emmanuel Sanders for breaking out the great phrase once joining the +Denver Broncos, +BRONCOS CR3W put together a collection just for Baybay, +Wes Welker, Julius Thomas, Bubba Caldwell, and Emmanuel Sanders. Another 1 or 2 to have a chance at joining at least, if the TE is mixed in. Will be interesting who the others are that make it, and prove their talent, heart whence the chance comes. +The brand new Broncos FA's in the +NFL.

I dance not 2 show up opponents but 2 celebrate the findings of the end zone! Can't wait 2 find it again soon. Love! pic.twitter.com/iwI6OtvOYW

— Emmanuel Sanders (@E_Sanders88) February 2, 2014

Sanders in "Wide Receiver Heaven"

Agreed, Mr. Sanders, no doubt you have landed yourself in a primo spot. +Denver Broncos and Mile High equal "Wide Receiver Heaven." What? With joining the NFL Record Setting Offense of +NFL history in regards to scoring, passing and receiving statistics. Some of the +BRONCOS CR3W posts as we experienced such historic accomplishments, albeit probably short-term due to a longer season and the general speed of offensive plays and play selection. A topic even, Mr. Peyton Manning himself has essentially proclaimed. That still doesn't diminish the upside of being a speedy WR coming into his prime and joining forces with the Broncos offense.

Emmanueal Sanders, newly acquired Broncos WR, signing on board with "Wide Receiver heaven"
Photo Courtesy: +Denver Broncos ( +The Associated Press )

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Sunday afternoon, Emmanuel Sanders was officially introduced to, as he called it, "wide receiver heaven."

"To play with Peyton Manning is like wide receiver heaven," Sanders smiled. "I feel like he's one of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game. Definitely I look up to him a lot in terms of his preparation, and I know that he's going to make me a better player whether it's mentally and physically. I know that I'm in a great environment."

WR Heaven Welcomes you Mr. Emmanuel Sanders

At the start of free agency, Sanders told his agent, Steve Weinberg, that depending on what happened with former Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker -- who signed with the New York Jets as an unrestricted free agent -- he would love to play with Manning.

"I told Steve to make sure he called over to the Broncos and let them know that I'm interested," Sanders recalled. "So we started the free-agency process, but every day I was asking Steve, 'Did they call? Did they call?' And they finally called."

When the numbers Sanders was asking for matched up with what the Broncos were willing to offer, there wasn't much else to think about.

"This is the team that I wanted to go to during free agency," Sanders said. "Yesterday was probably one of the best days of my life."

Now that he's in Denver, Sanders just wants to fit in with an offense he watched set NFL records in 2013.
-----
Elway Crossing off List of High Priorities
-----
"I remember sitting at my house like, 'Man, that's what I want to be a part of someday,'" he said. "They had a really good season last year. Hopefully we can repeat the same thing but this time finish it off."

Executive Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway said when introducing Sanders that the receiver will "add a tremendous amount to the offensive side" of the football. After the press conference concluded, Elway elaborated.

Best of Emmanuel Sanders, 2013

"He'll fit in great," Elway said. "He can play inside or outside. He'll be inside, he'll be outside. He's explosive and really does a good job after he catches the ball."

"He was the guy that we had targeted from the very get-go and we were fortunate enough to land him."

When describing his own game, Sanders said he doesn't like to label himself just an inside or outside receiver, to Elway's point.

"I'm going to always try to be versatile," he said. "I just like the craft of being a receiver."

But what is about him that helped him cause 15 missed tackles, which according to +Pro Football Focus was fourth-most among +NFL wide receivers in 2013?

"My game is I like to get the ball in my hands. I like to run after the catch. I feel like from a speed perspective, I like to go down the field," Sanders said. "I feel like I've got the all-around package, even from a run perspective. I'm going to give it my all from a blocking perspective, because I know if I'm blocking downfield, that allows the running back to take the ball 80 yards. Like I said, I just want to win."

The wide receiver said that Manning texted him as soon as he decided to sign with the Broncos, and he's already gotten a coveted invite to Duke University to work out with the quarterback and his top targets.

And he hopes that he will add a new type of threat to the receiving corps, making it tough on defense that try to focus on slowing down a big, physical receiver like Demaryius Thomas.

"Now that I'm on the other side, a speed guy, a quick guy, a run-after-the-catch guy, it's going to be hard," he said. "It adds another dimension to your offense."

It's no secret that the Broncos have a World Championship on their minds entering 2014. After falling in Super Bowl XLVIII, the team wants to make sure it doesn't come up short this coming season.

Sanders know's exactly how the players feel. After all, he was on the losing end of a Super Bowl in his rookie season, and broke his foot in the process.

"I remember 2010, I ended up breaking my foot in the Super Bowl," Sanders said. "And the only thing that I remember from the Super Bowl is walking off that field and seeing the confetti fall and seeing the Green Bay Packers celebrating. I said, 'You know what? Someday I've got to get back here and I want the confetti falling down on me.' My ultimate dream is, I just had a son, and I want to go hoist that Lombardi and have my son run onto the field.

"This is a place that can make that dream come true."

Emmanuel Sanders Presser: "Wide Receiver Heaven" Video

http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Sanders-in-Wide-Receiver-Heaven/fbabcd0f-2e6f-4438-8367-3fe38ab9d7b7

+NFL (twiiter)

A lil' bit of Clarity regarding the whole Emmanuel Sanders signing, NFL Executives were not Happy with Agent

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders was formally introduced as a newly-minted +Denver Broncos wide receiver Sunday and the team's newest free-agent catch was emphatic no deal was in place in Kansas City or elsewhere before he put pen to paper in the Broncos' complex.

The Broncos viewed Emmanuel Sanders as a primary target in their search for a free-agent receiver.

"That entire situation is a business ordeal that some people have turned into a personal matter," Sanders said. "Situations like that happen all the time all over the National Football League. There was no handshake, there was no kind of agreement, we were close to a deal, but there wasn't anything official just yet. But in terms of shopping around, we didn't shop around, teams were still calling, teams were still trying to get involved."

When asked following his introductory news conference if he had seen reports that unnamed Chiefs officials believed Sanders and his representatives had agreed to terms on a multiyear deal with the Chiefs, Sanders added: "I guess the Chiefs feel like we had a deal, but we never officially had a deal. The thing is I was at their facility, so of course they thought 'well, if Emmanuel is here then of course he's going to sign with us,' but that's never the case, just because I'm there doesn't mean I have to sign with you."

Broncos executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway said he was unaware there was any potential issues as the Broncos negotiated with Sanders.

"I will say this, we didn't know anything about it, but also having been in this now for the last three years that kind of stuff happens quite a bit," Elway said. "Miscommunications happen all the time."

The Broncos welcomed Sanders into the fold on Twitter.

Emmanuel Sanders has officially signed with the #Broncos. RT to welcome him to Denver! pic.twitter.com/PMOLXCQTGm
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) March 16, 2014

Sanders signed a three-year deal that can be worth as much as $18 million if he hits all of the performance-based escalators in the contract. The Broncos have constructed the deal so Sanders will receive a $3 million bonus next March, meaning this year's salary cap charge is a relatively friendly $4 million.

The Broncos see Sanders as a player who can line up in both the slot or outside in the Broncos' scheme. Sanders had visits with the +Kansas City Chiefs, +San Francisco 49ers, +Jacksonville Jaguars and +Tampa Bay Buccaneers before signing with the Broncos.

"We've always had interest all the way through free agency, Sanders said. "... Whoever the source is who said that, it's a shame on them that it had to get this out of hand."

Sanders also said when he signed with the Broncos, "I ended up with the team I wanted to be on."

Sanders finished 2013 with career-bests in catches (67), receiving yards (740) and touchdowns (six). The Broncos pro personnel department had him rated as one of the top receivers available in the open market with some of the team who believed he was the best fit of the free-agent receivers because of his run-after-the-catch abilities.

The Broncos did not make an offer to Eric Decker, who signed a five-year, $36 million deal with the +New York Jets. The Broncos also signed Andre Caldwell to a two-year deal just before free agency formally opened last Tuesday.

Last season, Sanders was also part of some free agency drama when the +Pittsburgh Steelers matched the one-year, $2.5 million offer sheet from the +New England Patriots when Sanders was a restricted free agent.

Sanders did have some untimely drops in his four seasons with the Steelers, including one on a two-point conversion attempt in a loss to the +Baltimore Ravens this past season.

A source previously told +ESPN that teams might be leery of offering a long-term deal to Sanders due to medical concerns. He has a screw in each foot, stemming from injuries he sustained in the Super Bowl following the 2010 season.

With Sander and Caldwell, who has been with the Broncos for 2 seasons, both either in their prime or entering, +BRONCOS CR3W has no fear that they can make up for the balls that went to Decker. Sanders gives them some extra gear, top end speed on the edge and Caldwell showed glimpses with producing quite a bit when he got the snaps. 11 catches, 3 TD's in 3 games started. Add to the fact, that there are a handful of specimens at the receiver position in the draft that might be too difficult to not take if one or two fall in their hands. This does however, give them the relief on urgency for another WR after Decker went to New York. It may be sensible to not try to get one, but if there is an uber-talent and top ranked on your board, we do not see EVP, John Elway, passing on guys that are just that good. Elway is a good scout himself and will take the best if there enough difference regardless of position. Still think the DB class is the area to look depending on how the picks go, but there are options, and several, for Elway, Fox and the Broncos.

Emmanuel Sanders, former Steelers WR, signs 3-Year deal with Broncos

NFL

BY TIM POLZER

Emmanuel Sanders recorded career bests in his fourth NFL season. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Emmanuel Sanders recorded career bests in his fourth NFL season. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

The +Denver Broncos are expected to sign free agent wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Albert Breer of NFL Network later reported an agreement to terms.

Denver is giving former Steelers WR Emmanuel Sanders a 3-year, $15M contract. Team announced agreement.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2014

Emmanuel Sanders' deal in Denver is for three years, per Broncos source. Not sure on length of his Chiefs' deal.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 16, 2014

The former +Pittsburgh Steelers wideout reportedly was scheduled to visit the 49ers Saturday after previous meetings with the +Jacksonville Jaguars  and +Kansas City Chiefs.

On Friday, ESPN’s Scott Brown reported some NFL teams were wary of medical concerns surrounding Sanders including a screw in each foot. He has not missed a game in each of the past two seasons after missing eight games in his first two NFL seasons.

Sanders, who turns 27 on Monday, recorded career bests in receptions (67), receiving yards (740) and touchdown catches (six) in his first season as a fulltime starter.

He reportedly is believed to be seeking a contract similar to the five-year, $31.5 million deal ($13.25 million guaranteed) given former Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate by the Lions earlier this week.

BURKE: NFL free agency’s winners and losers

The free agent market for receivers was reduced Saturday morning when the Patriots re-signed Julian Edelman. The Broncos are likely looking at Sanders as an option after receiver Eric Decker signed a five-year, $36.25M deal with the Jets on Thursday.

Original piece below:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000334406/article/emmanuel-sanders-agrees-to-join-denver-broncos