5 Players Key to Keeping Peyton Manning Healthy in 2012

Peyton Manning will assuredly morph the Denver Broncos from a run-dominated, win-with-defense club, to a dynamic team renowned for their aerial assault. 

That is, if he stays healthy. 

A $96 million "if."

While he's supposedly fully recovered from multiple neck surgeries completed last year, the legendary gun-slinger and quarterbacking genius must be kept upright if the Broncos risk is to pay off in a major way.

In Indianapolis, Manning wasn't solely surrounded by stellar playmakers like Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Edgerrin James. The Colts front office did a marvelous job adding guys like Jeff Saturday, Brandon Stokley and Dallas Clarke to ensure Peyton started every game, every week. 

Who are the five Broncos key to keeping No. 18 healthy in Denver in 2012? 

Ronnie Hillman

Running backs Knowshon Moreno, Willis McGahee and 2011's utility man Jeremiah Johnson are still on the Broncos' roster, but I'm especially intrigued by what Hillman can bring to the Broncos' offense. 

He's an agile home-run hitter, a guy that should be used on the perimeter to break longer runs down the sideline. 

He'll be a nice and surprising change of pace for defenses who'll see McGahee on more traditional running downs and situations. 

Because the former San Diego State Aztec is a fine athlete with a great burst, expect him to be utilized on a variety of screen plays and short dump offs when pressure is mounting Manning's way. 

Hillman will be a vital, yet, potentially underrated aspect to ensure Manning stays healthy. 

Jacob Tamme

Tamme had his best statistical season with Manning in Indianapolis in 2010. 

The two hooked up 67 times for 631 yards and four touchdowns that season. Tamme was the ideal possession tight end target for Manning who boxed out smaller defenders on comeback routes and frequently found soft spots in zone coverage. 

When Manning's under duress, he has a familiar security blanket in Tamme that he can quickly find over the middle or in the flat to pick up even small chunks of yardage instead of a sack. 

Like Hillman, the former Kentucky Wildcat will be a checkdown option for Peyton, and we all know how important they can be when quarterback's need to get rid of the football. 

Eric Decker

Decker isn't incapable of stretching the field with his speed, as we saw last season on a few occasions, but I expect him to be more of the possession receiver with Demaryius Thomas as the other outside receiver. 

The former Minnesota Golden Gopher averaged a respectable 13.9 yards per catch next season compared to Thomas' average of 17.2. 

According to the Mike Klis of the Denver Post, the team wants Decker running 35-40 pass routes per game in 2012. 

He's a crisp route-runner and can shield away defensive backs with his 6'3'', 220-pound frame. While Thomas may be more athletically gifted, Decker will instantly become Manning's new Reggie Wayne. 

Decker's presence will give Manning another steady pass-catching target he can lean on in pressure situations. 

Orlando Franklin

Clearly, I had to go with some offensive linemen, right? 

Franklin will man the right tackle position for Denver in 2012, and though it's not Manning's blindside, he could face some quality pass-rushers this year. 

Justin Houston of the Kansas City Chiefs had 5.5 sacks from his left defensive end position as a rookie in 2011 and could see many one-on-ones with Dontari Poe in the middle of KC's defensive front. 

Who knows how the San Diego Chargers will use the supremely-gifted Melvin Ingram, and Shaun Phillips is an established edge-rushing force. 

Franklin must have a career year this season to keep Manning off the injury list. 

Ryan Clady

No one is more crucial to Manning staying healthy than left tackle Ryan Clady. 

That's obvious. 

A left tackle must be strong to guard against quarterback sacks and injuries, and Clady is now guarding the blindside of a signal-calling icon. 

He was an All-Pro in 2008 and 2009, but his play has scaled off a bit over the last few seasons. 

The Boise State product has the size, athletic ability and power to maul opposing edge-rushers, but he'll face guys like Tamba Hali, James Harrison and John Abraham in 2012. 

If he plays well and keeps those menacing pass-rushers at bay, there's a great chance Manning will start all 16 games this year.