The Denver offensive line encountered multiple changes this offseason, and Mark Craig of the Star Tribune took a look at Peyton Manning's **pocket protectors**.
Craig asked Manning during a conference call what he was thinking as the changes occurred this offseason:
"I don't have a whole lot for you on that," Manning said. "All I'll say is we got five guys that are fighting their tails off every snap."
*The Broncos (3-0) head into Sunday's game against the visiting Vikings (2-1) with five starting linemen who weren't in these roles at the end of last season. There's a rookie center, a first-year starter at left tackle, a right guard who moved from right tackle, a right tackle from Kansas City, and a 33-year-old left guard who was signed off the street in late August. *
Mix it all together and what do you get, at least initially? You get Manning tying a career high for sacks through three games (eight). You get the Broncos setting an NFL record as the first 3-0 team to fall short of 70 yards rushing in each of its first three games.
*You also get an opposing defensive line coach who wants to make sure his players don't read that last paragraph and underestimate a Manning-led offense that ranks 30th in the league and dead last in yards per carry (2.6).
*
"I think they're still pretty good, so I don't buy into the hype," Vikings defensive line coach Andre Patterson told Craig. "The film doesn't lie to me. Peyton's still throwing the ball well when he needs to. When they got to have a run, they find the ability to get the run."
Endless pursuit
Adrian Peterson spoke with Denver media on Wednesday during a conference call that lasted more than 20 minutes.
Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press noted that Peterson has earning **additional NFL MVP trophies** to add to his 2012 award that followed his 2,097 yards rushing. Tomasson wrote:
*As the Vikings prepared for Sunday's game at Denver, Peterson said he expects to do it again. *
"I feel like that I can play this game for a long time at a high level," said Peterson, 30. "I feel like if I will be able to do that, then of course. (Whether it's) another MVP or two, or three, who knows?
"I'm always shooting for the best. ... I'm just trying to accomplish what people don't think I can do and try to break my own boundaries that I set for myself. Yeah, I feel like I have a couple of more in me."
Quick Hitters
Tim Yotter of Viking Update on how Teddy Bridgewater's legs might be **quite valuable** against the Broncos defense.
Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune asked Mike Wallace about **New Orleans roots** and top QBs.
