BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Replacing Peyton Manning, the team leader is potentially more difficult than replacing Peyton Manning, the quarterback.
By the end of last season, it was clear what Manning was at quarterback; hindered by a foot injury and the accumulated effects of 18 NFL seasons, he was not what he was in his prime. But his leadership, command behind the line of scrimmage and ability to rally his teammates in the huddle, the locker room and beyond was as strong -- if not stronger -- than ever.
Now he's gone.
"Those guys walk in that locker room this year, and he's not down there at that end.