Peyton Manning played the final four years of his accomplished career with the Denver Broncos from 2012-2015, overlapping with star cornerback Chris Harris.
During a recent interview with Kay Adams on the “Up & Adams Show,” Harris recalled going up against Manning in practice for four years.
“He was amazing at practice,” Harris told Adams. “If we’re playing in a rain game, he’s out there he’s dipping his hand in water, the ball in water. He’s getting ready for all the effects on the field, the elements. Peyton was just super prepared all the time. He got me better at coming out of my breaks. When you play defensive back, you’ve to be able to be coming out of your breaks at the top of the route.
“Say if it’s a comeback [route], you’ve got to be able to come back fast with that route. The thing about Peyton was the ball would already be out of his hands before the guy even makes his break, and then bam, hits him in the chest. I’ve never seen a quarterback that was so perfect on timing. The receivers had to be exactly where he wanted them to be. If they were there, the ball was going to hit them in the chest. He threw the most catchable football.”
Harris was part of a “No Fly Zone” secondary that helped Denver win Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season. He believes facing Manning in practice helped the team’s defensive backs reach the next level.
“He got us ready,” Harris said. “It was always back and forth. That’s what made us better.”
You can watch his full interview with Adams below:
