It seems as though I am in a rapidly diminishing minority of Denver fans, but I am still in favour of Kyle Orton carrying on at quarterback than have Tim Tebow take snaps.
Orton is an almost quintessentially unglamorous player. Generally solid, dependable, fairly consistent, Orton has qualities that are admirable, if hardly inspiring. In Peyton Manning’s injury absence, the Indianapolis Colts could do much worse than have Orton rather than Kerry Collins, who was disappointing in his new side’s blowout defeat to Houston last weekend.
Orton, in Denver’s home defeat to Oakland, looked rusty, particularly when put under pressure. Although he threw for over 300 yards and a touchdown, he only completed half of his pass attempts. ESPN analysis indicated that he went only 2-for-10 when he was put under pressure or hit before the pass was thrown.
Although head coach John Fox has pledged his support for his embattled quarterback, Orton could hardly rely on similar backing from the Mile High faithful. The match ended to a deafening chorus of orange-clad Coloradans chanting Tebow’s name tumbling from the stands, and Broncos message boards are full with calls for the second year out of Florida to take the starting role. One fan has even paid for a billboard to be adorned with a plea to Coach Fox to replace Orton with Tebow.
But Tebow is not ready to take the starting job – far from it. Yes, he was made starter at the end of last season by interim head coach Eric Studesville, who took over from the sacked Josh McDaniels, and led the team relatively successfully, including a one-point win over the Texans.
Throughout 2010, even when Orton was starting, Tebow would typically come in for goalline snaps in order to utilise his pace and brawn. He scored six rushing touchdowns over the course of the nine matches he participated in, including one at Wembley and a powerful, exhilarating 40-yard run against the Raiders. The ideal scenario for me would be to increase this type of opportunity for Tebow, in order for him to gain experience under the watch of Orton. It is unlikely that Orton would be willing to act as a mentor – he is only 28, and must have ambition of his own which is not conducive to acting simply as a trailblazer for his young teammate.
In any case, Tebow is thought not even to be second on the roster at Denver. Pre-season, observers noted that Brady Quinn, signed from the Cleveland Browns last year, appears to have been more successful in staking his claim for an opportunity for game time. And if the Broncos have a high draft pick in the 2012 draft, what is to say that John Elway won’t trade up (if they have to) for Stanford’s hugely rated quarterback Andrew Luck?
I would be a disappointed supporter if Denver ended the season with a record that would allow them to draft Luck next year, and I still see Tebow as being a long-term solution for my team. It is clear, however, that his enthusiasm, work ethic and charm are far from enough to bring immediate success to Mile High. He has to learn rather than be plunged straight into the NFL.
Denver still has Orton, and he is a conservative option who should be used in the short-term in order that Tebow can be the most successful quarterback for the franchise since Elway. Fox must stick to their guns, and while Tebow naturally appreciates his widescale support, Broncos fans should listen to their hero when he insists that the whole franchsie should unite behind their team – at the head of which is Kyle Orton.
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