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Big ideas start small. They bubble — percolate, really — and begin to grow if there is enough energy and boldness to them.

By most accounts, the Broncos' big idea — getting a Hall of Fame-worthy quarterback not named John Elway posing for pictures, the team's orange jersey in hand — began last month at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. The idea began with Broncos coach John Fox during a late-night, talk-the-talk session with his staff, having a what-if moment.

Namely, if Peyton Manning was actually released by the Colts, why it would make sense for the Broncos to go after him.

"Well, I can't really confirm that," Fox said with a smirk Tuesday, just minutes after the Broncos formally introduced Manning, their new starting quarterback. "You're always looking to get better. I told this team at the end of the season, after the New England loss, I just told them I'm going to do everything in my power to get us a better football team.

" ... And this is a pretty big step we've taken."

So on March 8, when the Colts publicly said goodbye to the signature player of the team's time in Indianapolis, Fox was on the phone almost before all the tears had dried and Manning had settled into being an 11-time Pro Bowl selection looking for work.

The goal was to put the Broncos first in line, the first to make the first free-agency pitch Manning had ever heard.

"John made that call," Elway said. "That's kind of where we got going, to get him in here for a visit."

Manning, reeling from his release by the only team he had played for in the NFL, decided Denver was the best place to start his recruitment, to get his feet under him. That's because of Fox and Elway and their interest. Manning arrived the following day — March 9 — with news helicopters circling above the team's Dove Valley headquarters.

"When I got here, I think John (Elway) could tell where I was a little bit mentally and emotionally. I was all over the place," Manning said Tuesday. "I know it was important for me to get out and see somewhere, and this was a good first place for me to come. I knew Fox and Elway would help me get comfortable."

The Broncos made their pitch, in a low-key manner, according to Elway. They kept the discussions to football, with the Broncos telling Manning what they could do for him as Manning offered what he believed he could bring to the Broncos.

There was dinner — with longtime Manning friends John Lynch and Brandon Stokley, each a former Bronco, on hand — and a workout with Stokley at a Castle Rock park the next morning before Manning set off on visits to the Cardinals and Titans and for sitdown sessions with the Dolphins and 49ers. The Broncos were left to wait, through each passing day and seemingly endless stories speculating where he might sign.

Titans owner Bud Adams offered Manning a job for life, and the 49ers offered him an opportunity to play for a team that was only a fumble away from the Super Bowl last season.

"You're not nervous, more anxious," Elway said. "We wanted to give him the space and the time he needed because I know I would have wanted that in his situation. But we wanted to make sure he knew how much we wanted him too."

The Broncos also wanted, as did Manning, to clear up any questions about the quarterback's arm strength after last year's cervical fusion on his neck. So Elway, Fox and
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general manager Brian Xanders led a Broncos entourage that included several coaches, the team's medical staff and trainer Steve Antonopulos to a throwing session last Friday at Duke University.

Manning went through a 60-pass workout, willing to show what he could, and couldn't do, at this stage in his recovery.

"I was very impressed," Fox said. "The doctors went through all of the examinations and gave us the thumbs up."

"John (Elway) said it was great. I don't think it was great, it's not supposed to be great," Manning said. "I just kind of said, 'Here it is, guys. If you're not interested, you're not hurting my feelings.' The Broncos kind of had to make a projection just like the other teams did, and they all kind of made the same projection that I'll be back."

All of which — the information gathering, the meetings, the workouts — brought everyone involved to Monday morning. Fox and Elway were in Elway's office, killing time and hoping for the best as it was clear that Manning was close to making a decision.

"I was like, 'Should we call? Should we give one last sales pitch? What should we do?' " Fox said. "(We were) just sitting and waiting, and the phone buzzed."

Elway saw a familiar number and calmly began a conversation to see what the future held. "He's always been good under pressure," Fox said.

The Broncos didn't know it then, but Manning had already told the 49ers and the Titans no and was about to give Elway what might be the biggest yes of what becomes of the Hall of Famer's career as an NFL executive.

"I think he could tell by my voice it had already been a rough morning," Manning said. "I had to let these other teams know first; I didn't tell anybody (else). ... But this just seemed right."

And from Manning's mouth to Elway's ear went the news. And Elway, like he has done so many times in his football life, changed the course of his team's fortunes with his right arm.

He simply flashed Fox a thumbs up.

"I almost killed myself jumping out of the chair," Fox said. "I almost pulled both hamstrings. ... You just don't have these kinds of opportunities very often, and we're very glad we have this one."

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