The almost annual Tom Brady vs Peyton Manning Bowl is a classic the NFL has witnessed almost every year (sometimes twice a year) for over a decade now. These two future Hall of Famers and their teams are always on the hunt for a Lombardi Trophy and will stop at nothing to get another one. While there are 16 games on the schedule, not including playoffs, that game is always circled on the calendar. Both teams know they will likely face each other in the playoffs. As a result, they compete all year long to try to beat each other, even now in the offseason.
Coming off of probably the most embarrassing Super Bowl blow out of all-time, Denver hit the ground running in free agency. With Manning only expected to have a couple years left realistically, the Broncos aggressively went after guys who can help them win now. They signed hard hitting safety T.J. Ward from the Cleveland Browns, almost as if they were looking for their own version of the Seattle Seahawks Cam Chancellor, who terrorized them in the big game.
As if that was not enough, they further boosted their secondary by signing cornerback Aqib Talib from the Patriots. Not only did they bring in a talented, physical corner of their own but they stole one from their rival AFC powerhouse. Just for good measure they also signed future Hall of Fame pass rusher DeMarcus Ware from the Dallas Cowboys to make life even more difficult for opposing quarterbacks (*cough* Tom Brady).
After losing wide receiver Eric Decker to the New York Jets in free agency, Denver also countered that by signing former Pittsburgh Steeler, Emmanuel Sanders. After a flurry of free agent signings like that, the Broncos sat back and felt content with the ground they gained on their AFC competition (Patriots or otherwise) and rightfully so.
However, the Patriots, who had been fairly quiet until then in free agency answered back with a swift one-two punch. They signed two cornerbacks: Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner. With Revis they upgraded the spot left vacant by Talib. With Browner they add a physical corner from Seattle, who didn’t play in the Super Bowl game but still fits the mould of the secondary who gave Denver so much trouble. These moves directly attack the Broncos offense the way Seattle did in the Super Bowl, by taking Peyton’s weapons away with tight physical coverage. With all the headlines talking about Denver’s great signings, the Patriots brought in these two guys as if to quiet the buzz and say,”Your move Denver.”
After trading blockbuster signings, both teams sit quietly on opposite sides of the country, just waiting and preparing for the 2014 season. With the draft around the corner they each have another chance to upgrade their rosters in anticipation for their Super Bowl runs. As they wait for their chance, the entire football world also waits to see what they have in store for each other.
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