The very best mentor any young NFL quarterback could have might be seen concealed in Drew Lock’s cell phone, under the M’s most of his connections list.
So in hours of winning his first start as Broncos quarterback, Lock achieved for sage advice from Peyton Manning about how to make victory No. 2.
“I kissed him Monday, and asked him would be a fantastic time to talk to this week,” Lock told me Wednesday. “Because who better to talk to than Peyton Manning about going on the street in the NFL for the first time? I need to learn what little things you can do to have an edge, and possibly mess . ”
If you wish to be a Jedi master, then you make an appointment with Yoda. If your fantasy is to turn into the legendary Broncos quarterback, then you can do much worse compared to commit every parcel of intellect from Manning to memory.
“Being in a position to possess Peyton Manning as a resource, I don’t think you can put it into words just how big it is,” Lock explained.
Hey, they don’t even call him PFM for nothing. Before LeBron James made himself at home in the Pepsi Center, dismantling the Nuggets on Tuesday night, the King made a point of shaking hands with Manning, who had seats.
Manning is comfy hanging with the unwashed masses as well as sports royalty . For example: During halftime, as a retired quarterback using just 2 Super Bowl rings surfaced following his daughter down an arena corridor, he paused to say hello to the ink-stained wretch.
Paradoxically that Manning keeps a close watch on the Broncos, I asked his view of Lock’so debut, a 23-20 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers.
As opposed to citing the youthful quarterback’s touch on just two touchdown passes or how Lock bounced back after throwing an interception, I found it fascinating what Manning decided to highlight: “It seemed as if he was having fun on the market. ”
As soon as I relayed the review from among the QBs who has ever lived, a smile filled Lock’s face. What ’s much more dramatic about this Missouri alum compared to his huge arm would be that the large enthusiasm Lock brings to the Denver huddle.
“I was having a blast,” Lock said. “When you think about the big picture, why did you really do the sprints did you really do the workouts that are personal did you put? It’s for to the NFL and play. I’m not likely to become tight out there around the field. I’m definitely planning to have fun. ”
It should not be a surprise that one of the messages Lock received later beating the Chargers was out of Archie Manning, patriarch of America’s family of quarterbacks. Archie produced Lock giggle by telling him: “You can’t win them all if you don&rsquo. ”
In the Manning Passing Academy, held in Louisiana, among those core values emphasized by Peyton, Eli and his father is that playing QB isn’t for the meek. Quarterbacks have to stay together. It’therefore an elite fraternity, created from the shared experience of guys who understand that the sensation of being booed from 70,000 fans who adored them until moments.
“There’s a brotherhood in regards to quarterbacks,” Lock explained. “Not many people can go in the head of a quarterback, if it’s all that enters the planning to play, or how when a match ’s going bad, you feel like the entire world is falling on you. There’s a few men and women who really can talk to you. ”
That’s Lock desires PFM as a sounding board. After working as a counselor in the Manning academy through the summer break from school, he was welcomed to the family with open arms. The bond grew stronger if Lock required a job in the NFL city where Uncle Peyton shut the book on a career by winning Super Bowl 50.
“I text him regularly,” said Manning, who takes as much satisfaction in sending notes of encouragement to kids in the hospital or quarterbacks in the huddle as he did throwing any of his 539 career touchdown passes.
For the remainder of the year, Lock will get kudos for top scoring forces, but it may be more revealing to grade him by how he responds to the rookie mistakes.
“Going around the street for a rookie quarterback,” Manning said, “is a whole different deal. ”
PFM knows of what he speaks. Way back in 1998, when Manning was a rookie quarterback for Indianapolis, his first road start was New England. He’ll despise me but the Patriots spanked Manning, who endured the ignominy of three interceptions at a humbling 29-6 loss.
Perhaps traveling to Houston will probably be a more pleasant experience for Lock. Although the first-place Texans are no slouches, Manning said, “Lock has a little break, because he doesn’t even have to face No. 99. ”
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No. 99 will be Houston defensive ending J.J. Watt, who still lurks the dark corners of Manning’s nightmares. Nevertheless, the perennial Pro Bowl defender suffered a season-ending injury in October. While wishing Watt a quick recovery, Lock confessed: “I would despise playing Watt, also. Glad I don’t even have to. ”
Considering joining the Broncos as the No. 42 overall selection of this draft,” Lock has created a solid rapport with quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney and places his hope in the play-calling of offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello.
However, if Manning’s digits have been in his smart phone, a bright cop should undoubtedly tap PFM’s amazing mind for a guidebook to browsing the NFL world class.
Lock agrees: “You’d be mad not to. ”
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