Eric Decker: Peyton Manning's Health, Arm Strength Is Good Enough To Start For Broncos

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning speaks during a press conference at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Tuesday, March 20, 2012.

By Terry McCormick, National Football Post

Denver Broncos receiver Eric Decker says Peyton Manning's arm strength is good enough for him to start an NFL game right now.

Decker said on ESPN Radio's "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" that there is "no question" Manning's arm strength is sufficient enough for him to play in an NFL game.

"The guy's still throwing the ball a long time, throwing it great, hitting you in the right spot," Decker told Cowherd. "He's such a perfectionist. If he hits you in the belly button, he gets mad at himself for not hitting you in the chest. It's unbelievable to be around a guy who has those standards for himself."

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Terry McCormick covers the Titans for TitanInsider.com

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Comments

[Johnne Lee]

11:04 AM on 04/11/2012

My family is populated by a number of medical professionals who are far bigger sports fans than I. But I have always respected the Manning Family so I asked my relatives about this issue.

Each and everyone confirms that he can tolerate a hit far better now than he could when he was completely injury free. They all said he may have a limited range of motion at the point his vertebrae were fixated. They doubt the limited range of motion will be of any consequence.

I like Tim Tebow, but I am glad that he is no longer affiliated with a real traditionalist like John Elway. Tim may never get a real chance to perform as he did as a Gator. (He had a better completion % than Peyton did. In fact Tebow's completion % was the best ever by an SEC quarterback who spent their entire collegiate career in the SEC.)

Too bad the NFL is so conservative. I find the NFL boring compared to collegiate football.

Just my humble $00.02 worth

[SpeakupNation]

01:59 PM on 04/11/2012

Too bad Tebow is a college QB and not a Pro QB....

[JAT3]

02:46 AM on 04/12/2012

Its fine for TT to have his college stats, but Peyton skill sets clearly outshine TT to fact that a Super Bowl win/ring will always overshadow TT play until he wins one. IMO I don't see TT at the healm to such a feat, but could be on a team.

So if NFL is so boring to you it might be best to continue to live in world of college and what TT did and give all the praise you deem necessary. Unfortunately TT skills at QB needs some work and finese. He gets that then perhaps he can make NFL more exciting for you.

[Lostin24]

06:58 AM on 04/11/2012

It's not arm strength that is in question. Can he take an NFL hit?

[maxout22]

05:25 AM on 04/11/2012

Peyton may play ok but I doubt if he wins another Super Bowl.

[Joseph Hemphill]

02:18 AM on 04/11/2012

Regardless, it's still fun to watch football in Denver........ always has, always will............

[butchcliff]

07:05 PM on 04/10/2012

Hope so

[bjvela60]

03:09 PM on 04/10/2012

He'll be ok unless they play the Saints!

[Wow Unbelievable]

03:46 PM on 04/10/2012

Ouch!

[wilsonkoi]

05:02 PM on 04/10/2012

Just ask Farve how that works out

[fattrucker]

02:33 PM on 04/10/2012

ok decker, quit humping manning's leg

[Dan Emmelhainz]

09:52 AM on 04/11/2012

pretty sure Decker is too busy with @TheJessicaJames. :D

[FreeSwingingSoul]

02:11 PM on 04/10/2012

Of course Decker thinks Peyton is throwing well....because Decker is used to fielding Tebow's bounce passes.

[dave ochs]

03:22 PM on 04/10/2012

he was also used to winning and making the play offs.
dave

[SpeakupNation]

02:01 PM on 04/11/2012

No thanks to Tebow. More like a good young offensive line and an over-performing running back.

[Water-Man]

12:18 PM on 04/10/2012

Glad to see Peyton back again. He's such an asset to the NFL and to sports in general.

[dobravery]

11:57 AM on 04/10/2012

I have more faith in Peyton's arm, than in Decker's hands. Decker really needs to improve.

[lesshirkeyjr]

01:13 PM on 04/10/2012

I so agree with you here!

[Will Hauntu]

11:38 AM on 04/10/2012

ELI IS BETTER!!...BIG BLUE ALL DAY!!

[kiddub]

12:51 PM on 04/10/2012

Eli's teams are better!

[Hamplton]

11:33 AM on 04/10/2012

Enjoy Denver Broncos Peyton Manning there, please check

[edenooch]

11:26 AM on 04/10/2012

Wait till he gets cracked by some line men

[scotty0407]

11:24 AM on 04/10/2012

a

[Mister President]

08:01 PM on 04/10/2012

well said

[bullsbearshawks]

11:15 AM on 04/10/2012

I'm sure he's ready to play. But is he ready to play up to the standard the money he's receiving suggests? Doubt it. He's going to be veryyyy fragile.