ENGLEWOOD, Colo. DeMarco Murray Jersey . -- His passes were hitting receivers in stride and right between the numbers, not skipping off the ground or whizzing behind their heads like so many of Tim Tebows. The Denver Broncos got their first real taste of Peyton Manning on Monday with a spirited, fast-paced workout, the four-time MVPs first full practice in more than 16 months. "It felt good to be out there. Its been a while for me," Manning said. "Its been about a year and a-half since Ive been in uniform, been in an organized practice. So, it felt good to be out there. And it will be a good film to study." Monday also was the first chance for the media to get a look at the progress Manning has made since a series of neck operations sidelined him all of last season and led to his release from the Indianapolis Colts. And Manning looked great, showing zip and accuracy on his passes, comfort under centre, complete command of his offence and no ill effects from the nerve injury that caused weakness in his throwing arm. "Man, it feels good to know hes going to be on my side because what I saw today, hes going to give us some good work," star cornerback Champ Bailey said. "And we might not see a quarterback like that all year." Manning became the most prized free agent in NFL history following his release from the Colts after 14 seasons. His signing in Denver led to Tebows trade to the New York Jets, despite a thrilling run to the playoffs guided by the younger QB. The Broncos and a handful of other suitors watched Manning throw during his whirlwind free agency tour in March, but before Monday, reporters had to rely on his receivers for updates on his progress. Manning had refused to talk about it. "Well, you guys got to see him today," tight end Jacob Tamme said. And he looked like the Manning of old. His throws, most of which were intermediate, were strong and on target. His only deep pass was true, too, hitting Matthew Willis in stride before being broken up by cornerback Tracy Porter at the goal line. Watching his pinpoint passes zip around Dove Valley, one never would have guessed hed been forced to take a sabbatical and go under the scalpel multiple times since his last game, a wild-card playoff loss to the Jets in January of 2011. "Oh, no. Absolutely not," Bailey said. "You know, its not live, but from what I see right now, the guy hasnt missed a beat." Coach John Fox said Mannings "getting better every day." And so are the Broncos, on account of Mannings presence. "He definitely raises all boats, thats for sure, and thats not just with the young players, (but also) the veterans," Fox said. "Were excited where that is and whats hes done to raise those boats." Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas and the other young receivers have all been refining their route-running so as not to endure Mannings famous wrath. "Well, I think theyre on their way," Bailey said. "Obviously, I want to help them as much as possible, try to sharpen their routes up and things like that, but one thing about them is they get open a little bit, theyre open a lot to him. Thats one thing thats a big difference this year." Manning wouldnt gauge the progress hes made in his two months in Denver, first during private workouts at local high schools and then at the teams training facility. "Its hard to say. I try to get better every day, you know, thats my goal and I really need to use this time," he said. "I do think theres a difference when you are on the field in helmets going up against a defence. Up until now, we hadnt been able to go against a defence. So, this will be great work for me going against Champ Bailey and Von Miller and Elvis (Dumervil) and (Tracy) Porter, Drayton Florence. "Weve got three great cover corners to work against. So, until now weve been kind of throwing passes versus air, and you can work on your timing with receivers but its a great test to go against these corners." Manning is clearly more concerned about ironing out the wrinkles in his new offence than what fans seem to be harping on: his health status. "Ive always believed you develop your timing for your passing game in the off-season, I dont think you can just show up in September and expect to be on the same page," Manning said. "So, what a great opportunity for these receivers going against these corners. I mean, if you cant get better going against some of these top cover corners, then its just not meant to be. So, its a great challenge for everybody." Monday marked one signpost. Up ahead is putting on the shoulder pads, training camp, taking that first hit in the preseason. "Theres no question its a different mentality for me in these OTAs than it has been in other years because of all the changes," Manning said. "But I look forward to the challenge and I just cant tell you how important these OTAs are. I think theyre important for everybody. But when youre a new player, on a new team, certainly coming off an injury, I think they certainly take added importance, and I thought today was an excellent start." Notes: Among the no-shows for the voluntary workout was DT Ty Warren, whom the Broncos are hoping takes a pay cut, and LB D.J. Williams, whose DUI case ended in a mistrial Monday. Shonn Greene Titans Jersey . Rautins was acquired along with a 2012 second-round draft pick from Washington, while New York got Chandler and the draft rights to Ahmad Nivins and Giorgos Printezis from Dallas. Brian Hoyer Browns Jersey . Well, here they are. Williams will make his debut as a major league manager with the Washington Nationals, a hiring announced by Rizzo on Thursday, one day after the World Series ended. "Matt played with intensity as a player, but he also was a terrific teammate. http://www.theraidersofficialshop.com/black-friday-george-blanda-jersey/ . Vettel leads a contingent of six German drivers competing at the Nuerburgring, the most from any country and including seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. Having won six of the first nine races of the season and finished second in the other three, Vettel says the motivation offered by a partisan crowd in the stands could help him perform even better. Brandon Weeden Cowboys Jersey . It has only been a year since the Saints were 0-3, shrouded in scandal and going nowhere. It might as well have been a lifetime ago. Brees passed for three touchdowns to go with his scoring run and the Saints beat the Arizona Cardinals 31-7 on Sunday to improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2009, when they won the Super Bowl. Brian Hartline Black Friday Jersey . The skier from Gatineau, Que., captured the bronze medal in a mens freestyle aerials World Cup event on an artificial ramp Saturday. LAS VEGAS -- Amir Khan often spars in camp with Manny Pacquiao, so hes used to tough fights. Zab Judah plans to give him just that when they meet for real Saturday in a 140-pound unification fight. Khan and Judah both bring titles into the bout, which pits a veteran who has been in the ring against some big names against a fighter who seems to just be reaching his prime. It figures to be a crossroads fight for both boxers, though Khan is the one with a potentially brighter future. The British fighter said he took the fight because he only wants to fight the best. "I think everyone knows Ive got a big task in front of me. Ive got Zab Judah," Khan said. "My goals are to take the best out there and the likes of Floyd Mayweather one day. At the moment, I want to take things a step at a time." To take on Mayweather, Khan sees himself moving up to 147 pounds and campaigning as a welterweight. For now, though, hes comfortable at 140, where he has defended his WBA title three times since winning it in December 2009 by beating Dmitriy Salita. The fight comes after a disappointing performance in Khans last bout when his fight against Paul McCloskey in England ended when the ring doctor waved it to a close with McCloskey cut after the sixth round. In his fight before that, though, Khan beat Marcos Maidana in a bout that boxing writers voted fight of the year. In that fight, the former Olympic silver medallist answered questions about his chin that arose when he was stopped in 2008 in the first round by Breidis Prescott in the only loss of his career. That fight was also at the Mandalay Bay hotel-casino, where he and Judah will square off. "There are those who say Amir Khan cant take a punch," said Khan. "That Im a bit chinny - Zab has been accused of that, as well. Datone Jones Jersey. . Thats why this is an exciting fight." Judah is the biggest name Khan has met and, at the age of 33, he comes into the scheduled 12-round bout with the IBF version of the title. Judah, who lost a decision to Mayweather five years ago, has won five straight fights and says he has recommitted himself to a career that has now stretched over 15 years. Judah said his experience in big fights may be the deciding factor against his younger opponent. "Ive been where hes been, and hes going to have to do it in the lights," Judah said. "Ive beaten a guy from Argentina, a guy from Africa, and now Im going to beat a guy from the U.K." Khan originally wanted to fight Timothy Bradley, another 140-pound champion, but Bradley turned down the fight so he moved on to Judah, a three-time 140-pound titlist and former undisputed welterweight champion. "I got my second wind," said Judah, who is from Brooklyn, N.Y., but now lives in Las Vegas. "I lived for years as Zab Judah the tough guy, the bully, the product of my environment. Well, you dont forget where you come from, but I now know who I am." Judah (41-6, 28 knockouts) has former welterweight champion Pernell Whitaker in his corner, while Khan (25-1, 17 knockouts) is trained by Freddie Roach, who trains Pacquiao. Khan has sparred with Pacquiao both in the Philippines and in Los Angeles when Pacquiao trained for recent fights. But he said it was his brutal fight with Maidana, who rocked him late in the bout before Khan rallied to win, that taught him a boxing lesson. "I learned a lot about myself that night," Khan said. "I proved I was a warrior and that I had a good chin. That will help my confidence against Zab Judah, no question." ' ' '