ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Zip. Everyone around Peyton Manning, including the quarterback himself, says he has more of it this year. Hes running a faster offence with Adam Gase in charge. Hes getting the ball into his receivers hands quicker. And his passes, especially according to those red-handed receivers on the other end, definitely have more oomph. As he enters his second season in Denver, Manning is another year removed from the neck problems that plagued him in 2011 and hes much more comfortable in his surroundings, even if he still gets lost driving around town. "We worked out at Duke in March or April and I definitely felt like he had more zip on the ball," receiver Eric Decker said. "I think hes come back stronger." Manning wasnt exactly a 98-pound weakling in 2012. He did, after all, throw for 4,600 yards and 37 touchdowns to go with just 11 interceptions, and he was well on his way to a fifth MVP award before Adrian Peterson kicked it into high gear over the final month of the season. But his passes leave a little bit more sting this spring. "Last year -- weve talked about it a lot -- but he was going through a lot," tight end Jacob Tamme said. "Not only a new team, but just with his body and his rehab. Hes still working on that. But you can tell he feels a little bit better." The Broncos have added bulk to their line in 335-pound guard Louis Vasquez and beef to their backfield in 217-pound bruiser Montee Ball at running back. But Manning, too, is hardier than he was a year ago when he was shaking off the rust from missing his final season in Indianapolis with a neck problem that weakened his throwing arm. Manning is known as a monster in the weight room, and he took that attitude into his rehab last year and that approach into his off-season this year. "With the program that weve got, its unbelievable the amount of muscle mass and endurance that guys have and the cut-down of injuries that we had last year," Decker said. "I think thats a compliment to the strength and conditioning staff here and I think Peyton is one of those that took advantage of it and really got himself in good shape and is stronger and healthier this year." Its been noticeable on the football field during the teams 10 days of OTAs. "He appears to be way more comfortable," coach John Fox said. "His arm appears to be a little stronger, more zip. That could be just understanding his receivers better and spitting the ball out quicker. So, I think just overall familiarity with what were doing." Mannings top target last season was Demaryius Thomas, who caught 94 passes for 1,434 yards -- while they were still learning about each other. Thomas said he has more of a rapport with his quarterback this year. "Its sky-high right now," Thomas said. "I know what he wants. I know where to be on the field. I feel like the more were on the field, the better I get." Manning is reticent when it comes to talking about his health and is loath to compare one year to another. Still, he acknowledged this week that he is throwing the ball harder than he was this time a year ago. "I think that Ive made some progress definitely since last year at this time. I think also some since last season," he said. "I think oftentimes when you know more about the receiver that youre throwing to, you have more repetitions with each guy, I think that usually allows for hopefully more accuracy and more confident throws, if you will." Manning feels like himself again. "Well, certainly the second year, even though we have some changes in our offence, I have a better feel for the receivers that Im throwing to, of the offence," he said. Wes Welker has been thrown into the mix, Gase was promoted from quarterbacks coach to offensive co-ordinator and has installed a more up-tempo attitude and Greg Knapp came on board as Mannings new position coach. "So, we are learning a new offence but at the same time, there is enough familiarity from last year that does make every player feel more confident," Manning said. "And, when you know what youre doing, you play faster. Receivers can run faster routes, I think quarterbacks and running backs have a better idea of what theyre doing and you can go out there and play without having to think as much. "Any time you can take the thinking out of football, thats a good thing. Thatd be true for me and for a lot of players this year in really the second year of kind of this new system." That comfort level shouldnt be confused with complacency, though. Hes as driven as ever, especially after losing to Baltimore in January after entering the playoffs as the AFCs top seed. "Comfort is a word he doesnt like and that we dont like to use a lot around here because we dont want to be complacent, we dont want to be feeling good about ourselves," Tamme said. "We havent really done anything. And were working right now to see what we can do this year. I think theres a good comfort as far as knowing everybody and being around the guys. But theres also that hunger and that edge thats always there." Miles Sanders Jersey . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. Harold Carmichael Eagles Jerseyhttp://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Brian-Westbrook-Jersey/ . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. Seth Joyner Youth Jersey . Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning after discovering swelling in his thigh. He was taken to a local hospital where the clot was revealed. The club announced the surgery following a 5-3 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Dallas Goedert Jersey .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. NEW YORK -- Even after ending his long losing streak, Matt Andriese was treated no better than a rookie.Andriese won for the first time since June, Corey Dickerson hit a two-run homer and the Tampa Bay Rays slowed the New York Yankees playoff charge by stopping their seven-game winning streak with a 4-2 victory Sunday.Theyre a good club right now. I mean, they got hot at the right time, theyre back in the race and its fun to take at least one from them, second baseman Logan Forsythe said.Forsythe and Brad Miller also went deep for the last-place Rays, who had dropped three straight and six of seven. But they prevented a four-game sweep behind Andriese (7-7) and Chase Whitley, who tossed two innings of relief in his Tampa Bay debut after returning from Tommy John surgery.Just very, very, very thankful, Whitley said.In the clubhouse after the game, young Rays players got some traditional rookie hazing. For the trip to Toronto, they dressed in USA wrestling uniforms -- complete with stars, stripes and cumbersome ear guards.And although Andrieses rookie status expired last year when he pitched more than 65 major league innings, there was a special outfit hanging in his locker waiting for him, too.These actually arent too bad, the pitcher said with good nature. Ill take it.Whitley struck out his first batter, rookie slugger Gary Sanchez, and gave up an unearned run. But he retired Jacoby Ellsbury on an easy fly with two runners in scoring position to protect a 4-2 lead in the seventh.It was the right-handers first major league outing since he started for the Yankees at Tampa Bay on May 14 last year.That was pretty cool. Just unbelievable, Whitley said. Ive still got a lot of friends over there. So it was just really, really fun.Whitley even took a photo with Yankees head physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad, who performed the pitchers elbow operation.Really cool moment, Whitley said.His former teammates were happy to see him back, too.It was a long road for him, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. I wish he would have gave up a few runs today, but the rest of the way I hope he does well.Dickerson and Nick Franklin both had three hits for the Rays. Millers 27th homer ended an 0-for-17 slump.Brad Boxberger worked a perfect eighth against the 3-4-5 hitters in New Yorks lineup, and Alex Colome got three quick outs for his 32nd save in 34 attempts.We could not have scripted that any better, manager Kevin Cash said. A good bounce-back win for the guys.Andriese allowed one run and siix hits over five innings, snapping a seven-game losing streak with his first win since June 15 against Seattle.ddddddddddddThe right-hander won his first six decisions this season but was 0-7 with a 6.11 ERA in his past 15 outings, eight of them starts.I havent really changed the way Ive thrown, Andriese said. I dont feel like I was throwing the ball bad, its just a couple tough breaks here and there. But it definitely feels good to get back in the win column and just have a successful outing.Chase Headley homered and Brett Gardner had an RBI single among his three hits for the Yankees, who fell four games behind first-place Boston in the AL East and two back of Baltimore for the leagues second wild card.Rookie right-hander Luis Cessa (4-1) gave up all three Rays homers in 5 2/3 innings. New York lost for only the fifth time in 18 games since Aug. 23.TRAINERS ROOMRays 1B Logan Morrison strained his left wrist when he hit a foul line drive in the fourth and left the game. Felt it pop on that one swing, he said. More than likely, Im probably done for the year. Morrison returned from a strained right forearm on Aug. 15. ... Miller was back at shortstop for the first time since Thursday, when he was hit by a pitch on the right elbow. He was the DH on Friday and played first base Saturday.ROSTER MOVEAfter the game, Tampa Bay called up LHP Dana Eveland from Triple-A Durham. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Rays designated RHP Tyler Sturdevant for assignment.9/11 CEREMONIESBefore the game, Girardi and Yankees reliever Dellin Betances placed a wreath at the 9/11 Monument in Monument Park to honor those killed in the terrorist attacks 15 years ago. Following a moment of silence, FDNY firefighter Frank Pizzaro sang the national anthem while other firefighters unfurled a large American flag in center field -- the same flag displayed when President George W. Bush threw out the first pitch before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series at the original Yankee Stadium. After their roll call of Yankees starters, the Bleacher Creatures briefly chanted USA! USA!UP NEXTRays RHP Jake Odorizzi (9-6, 3.86 ERA) pitches Monday night in the opener of a three-game series at Toronto, where the Rays are averaging 7.5 runs in six games this year. They are 9-7 against the Blue Jays overall and need one win to clinch the season series for the eighth time in nine years. ' ' '