Peyton Manning's arrival allowed the Denver Broncos to do a complete makeover
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John Elway insisted that every one of the Denver Broncos was better the second Peyton Manning put his signature on that nearly $100 million contract last spring.
Indeed, all have prospered from the arrival of the meticulous quarterback whose work ethic generated, as coach John Fox also predicted, a lifting of all boats.
While Manning was turning what began as a season of mystery into one of magnificence, several of his teammates enjoyed breakout or bounce-back years as the Broncos (13-3) roared into the playoffs as the AFC's top seed and winners of 11 straight.
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Not since Elway was leading comebacks on the football field instead of from the front office have the Broncos been the odds-on favorites to win it all.
They have Manning to thank for that.