SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- You don't have to believe in the Broncos, but the journey they've taken to Super Bowl 50 has emerged as one of the more interesting storylines in years for an AFC title team.
Peyton Manning's quest for one more Lombardi is the kind of narrative that makes these games memorable, but Denver has drummed up drama all season under center with Manning and Brock Osweiler flip-flopping in and out of the lineup.
While it makes for good debate, rotating through quarterbacks asks plenty of your receiving core, especially shifting from a thrower like Manning to a flamethrower like Brock.
"It was kind of tough," Broncos wideout Andre Caldwell told Around the NFL on Wednesday. "You know, Brock throws a harder ball than Peyton. So it's a little bit of a transition, but our job is to catch the ball no matter who's throwing it."
We surveyed Denver's entire receiving corps and opinions were split, with Emmanuel Sanders downplaying the difference in delivery between the two, saying: "Obviously, the football's still the same size. I know a lot of people made a lot out of that, but my job is to catch the football, run routes and get open. So, I'm going to do my job, regardless. I don't care if (third-stringer) Trevor Siemian is our quarterback, I'm just doing my job."
Said Demaryius Thomas: "There's some little adjustment. I can't say it's a challenge because Brock did a great job when he came in. He was a leader. But when you're used to going with Peyton so much, the timing is a little different with Brock because I didn't practice with Brock much, I didn't play with Brock much. And once he got in, the timing was probably a little off, but he came in and did a great job. ... He's got more velocity, hands down."
Like anyone watching the games, Broncos receivers coach Tyke Tolbert agreed with the difference in zip, but noted that "Peyton's timing is impeccable."
"Manning throws the easiest ball to catch of any quarterback I've ever been around since I've been in the NFL. And this is my 13th year coaching. So his timing, he's really good at that. When you get to Brock, you know, he's taller, has a livelier arm with more velocity on it, so they have to make the adjustment as far as the speed of the ball coming at them."
Caldwell emphasized the same, saying of Manning's throws, "We call it tissue. It might be coming hard, but when it touches your hand, it's soft, it's easy to catch, it's like Charmin tissue."
Jordan Norwood has to be the most thankful of the bunch after spending the early part of his career with the Browns. Anyone moaning about rotating between the promising Osweiler and Hall of Fame shoe-in Peyton Manning can check their issues at the door after what Norwood endured in Cleveland.
"Man, I played with Brady Quinn, Derek Anderson, Colt McCoy, Brandon Weeden, Seneca Wallace, Jake Delhomme," Norwood laughed, before acknowledging that it's been a gift to catch passes from Manning, adding: "He's one of the greatest of all time for a reason."
Coach Gary Kubiak's switch back to Manning did unleash one clear positive: These wideouts have practiced with him for years, something that can't be duplicated in mere weeks with an understudy.
Of course, the team also has another iconic passer on the payroll in the form of general manager John Elway, but the former Broncos great hasn't tried out his legendary heat-seeking arm on this cast of pass-catchers.
"No, he don't get out there," said Caldwell. "He's on the side, watching in a suit."
