(Ron Chenoy/USA Today Sports)
Emmanuel Sanders has been an afterthought in the offseason and during the regular season. His signing has not received much pub that Aqib Talib, DeMarcus Ware and T.J. Ward received when the Broncos signed them this offseason.
Sanders was viewed as a luxury than a necessity. The Broncos had enough playmakers on offense that they didn’t need him even with Eric Decker leaving the Broncos as a free agent to sign with the Jets this offseason. That’s why he hasn’t been talked about by the Broncos fans.
Sanders is having a productive season, but he hasn’t caught many touchdown passes to warrant attention this offseason. In fact, he had one touchdown prior to last night’s game, and that was on Sunday against the 49ers. Last night, he caught three touchdown passes for 120 yards in the Broncos’ 35-21 victory over the Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
It was a matter of time until the former Steeler was catching touchdown passes. He and Peyton Manning have been in sync often when it comes to getting first downs on crucial first drives. It seems those two have worked so well together in practice. He has a good read of where the ball is going when Manning throws, and his quarterback knows where his receiver is.
With this high-powered offense, it’s not easy to be open and get the ball. The Broncos have so much diversity when it comes to wide receivers. There are many wide receivers that Peyton can throw to such as Demaryius Thomas , Julius Thomas, Jacob Tamme, Andre Caldwell and Wes Welker. It can wear on a player if he does not have the ball, which he would lose interest.
Sanders knew that when he signed with the Broncos. He knew Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas have been established receivers, and he knew Manning trust them more since he is familiar with their strengths. He understood he was not going to have fantasy league numbers on his stat line. He had to earn his keep on this offense.
Sanders have been working hard at practice to make sure he is in a position to be open in games, and it’s starting to pay off. That’s why last night was rewarding for him more than anything. It was not about how many touchdown passes he caught. It was about how he and Manning have worked well together at practice that helped him have the night he was having.
It’s a tribute to his professionalism that he has kept working with Manning rather than complaining about his touches. He does not need the ball to be happy and productive. He is the opposite of Percy Harvin in that regard.
Sanders also gets it. He knows getting touchdown passes is not the be all end all. It’s about being in a position to get open. He understands it’s about breaking defenders and getting receptions in first downs. It’s about doing the little things that win games.
When John Elway signed the former Steelers wide receiver, he wanted a receiver that would have speed and agility. He wanted a receiver that doesn’t get discombulated when he’s got defenders over him. This new Bronco has certainly done that.
Sanders will be a necessity come January. The Broncos need a guy who can elevate in catching the ball, especially in the red zone. They don’t have that with Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas, and it was obvious from watching the Super Bowl. Those types of wide receivers will make a difference in the playoffs, and that was Elway’s thought process when he signed him as a free agent.
Manning understands what Sanders brings to the team, and that’s why he and his wide receiver have been so in sync this season. He knows it’s important to get his new receiver involved with the skillset he has. That’s why he has been throwing to him a lot more lately. He knows his new toy can pay dividends in the postseason.
Sanders is having fun with this offense. He knew this would be tailored-made for him. He feels he can be a difference maker in this offense come January and February.
It took work for him to get his touchdown passes, but he is reaping the rewards now.
Contact or Follow Leslie Monteiro: @LightRodWriter
Leslie Monteiro
Leslie is a contributor for Lightning Rod Sports. He covered high school sports in Bergen County out in North Jersey, and has written op-ed columns on sports such as Bleacher Report and NY Sports Digest.
