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Manning introduced as new Broncos quarterback

Posted: 1:02 PM Mar 20, 2012
Reporter: Associated Press

Peyton Manning has been introduced as the new quarterback of the Denver Broncos, the four-time MVP taking the spot once held by John Elway, who as Broncos vice president engineered the deal to bring the NFL's most sought-after star to town.

Manning said, "I'm very excited to begin the next chapter of my playing career with the Denver Broncos," after showing off his new, orange No. 18 jersey at a packed news conference Tuesday, hours after signing a five-year, $96 million contract.

Manning will wear the #18, which was previously retired for former Notre Dame quarterback Frank Tripucka. Tripcuka was Denver's first ever quarterback but said he wanted Manning to "share" their number with him. Because of the blessing, Peyton says he was comfortable wearing it.

Recently released by Indianapolis, Manning became probably the top free agent in NFL history. Denver's main competition in the sweepstakes came from Tennessee and San Francisco.

The Broncos saw the 35-year-old QB work out last week and were satisfied that he has recovered from multiple neck injuries that kept him off the field in 2011.

Manning said "I have work to do" on Tuesday, when he was introduced as Denver's new quarterback. "I'm not where I want to be. I want to be where I was before I was injured. There's a lot of work to do to get where we want to be from a health standpoint."

Manning also said he'd be happy to be Tim Tebow's teammate, "but if other opportunities are presented to him, I'm going to wish him the best."

Manning's arrival as the new quarterback in Denver, made official Tuesday, has put Tebow's status in limbo.

Manning was asked if he discussed Tebow's future with the team while he was negotiating to join the Broncos.

He says those aren't his decisions and that "those conversations never came up."

But, the quarterback said: "I know what kind of player Tim Tebow is, what kind of person he is, what an awesome year it was. If Tim Tebow is here, I'm going to be the best teammate. If other opportunities are presented to him, I'm going to wish him the best."