Peter King gives us a great reconstruction of how Peyton Manning’s decision-making process unfolded as he chose the Denver Broncos.

Included in it: Details of the covert ops Manning ran to avoid the media.

When Mike Munchak and the Titans were en route to Knoxville to meet Manning for a Saturday morning throwing session, Manning called the Tennessee coach after he found the UT facility surrounded by media.

Roger Frazier, Manning's old equipment manager with the Vols, found a field at the private Webb School in Knoxville. Manning called Munchak and told him that when he got off the highway at the appointed exit, he should look for a black car at the end of the ramp and follow it. Munchak did. After a few blocks they pulled up behind another car — Manning's. No media in sight. Manning led them to the field. Though it was raining and water was pooling in one spot, Manning said, "I'm fine." Undisturbed, he threw 55 passes. Then they all went for cheeseburgers.

It’s a piece you’ll want to read for a lot more than the nuggets about the Titans.

Two other items of note that pertain to the AFC South.

• Denver defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, the former Jaguars coach, was part of the familiarity King says was a key to Manning’s decision.
• Manning felt a kinship with Munchak grow during the process that made it harder to say no to the Titans: "I wish I hadn't gotten so close to Munch," Manning said.