Two-and-a-half quarterbacks: What to make of the Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos have two quarterbacks that were drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft, two quarterbacks who played for a pair of the most storied college football teams in the nation. One of those players has a Heisman trophy and two national championships, the other won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
As of right now, both are sitting behind a fourth-string draft pick from Purdue who never played in a collegiate postseason game bigger than the Capital One Bowl.
Kyle Orton is the Boilermaker in question, and as the starter for the Broncos last season, he put up eye-popping numbers. In just 13 games, Orton threw for 3,653 yards and completed 20 touchdown passes with just nine interceptions. The problem for Orton and Broncos was in the standings, as the team only came away with three victories under Orton’s watch.
Enter Tim Tebow.
The Florida Gator legend was taken 25th overall by Denver in the 2010 draft, and as the Broncos’ season spiraled out of control it seemed to be only a matter of if, not when, he would get his shot under center. Fans and pundits alike had questioned how well Tebow’s throwing mechanics and general play style would translate to the NFL, and a lost season for Denver seemed like the perfect chance to find out the answer.
Tebow finally got his chance to start in Week 15 against the Oakland Raiders. Although his performance wasn’t messianic, he played well in the game, throwing one touchdown as well as running one in, but the Broncos lost. The next week Tebow played the hero, however, leading the Broncos to a pair of late touchdowns in a one-point win over Houston.
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Kim Constantinesco covers the Broncos for Predominantly Orange, and saw good things from both Orton and Tebow in 2010. She attributes the team’s struggles to lack of talent elsewhere.
“Both quarterbacks played well, but they didn’t have the supporting cast around them to pull off wins,” she said. “Kyle Orton had a great season on an individual level with 3,653 yards in just 13 games. That was good enough for 10th among QBs. Everyone ranked above him played in 16 games.”
Constantinesco said Orton’s play wasn’t perfect , though, which led to the decision to switch to Tebow.
“Orton had all of those yards, but couldn’t convert when it really mattered,” she said. “He worked the long field wonderfully, but couldn’t consistently get the team into the end zone – that, and he wasn’t pulling out wins, so the Broncos had no choice but to go with Tebow.”
Constantinesco said Tebow’s starts last year did motivate the team. Although his play wasn’t spotless, there were promising signs.
“The thing with Tebow is that he brought energy to a team that was 3-10 at the time that he started his first game,” she said. “Tebow elevated a down-and-out Broncos’ running game, and he put his heart on his sleeve when winning was on the line. It was nice to see a QB who showed emotion on every play in contrast to Orton, who plays it low-key. Tebow had more trouble working the long field in plays that didn’t break down, but once the end zone was in clear sight, Tebow converted more times than not.”
From there the debate was on for the 2011 season: Tebow or Orton? And what of Brady Quinn for that matter? Quinn was a superstar at Notre Dame, but washed out in Cleveland once he reached the NFL. Still, he was drafted in the first round and he remains a relatively young player. A good preseason in 2011 raised some eyebrows in Denver, and although Orton was selected as the team’s starter going into the year, the competition to be the Bronco backup appears to be in full swing. That could, make the competition for the starting job a potential three-way dance.
Constantinesco thinks it is too early to declare a winner between Tebow and Quinn in the backup battle, as they each have their strengths.
“It wouldn’t be fair to say who the better quarterback between Tebow and Quinn is,” she said. “They are two very different quarterbacks, and we haven’t been given a fair shot at evaluating Quinn in the regular season. Sure, Quinn produced great numbers in preseason and his arm looks strong, but that was against second-string players. Quinn is able to sit in the pocket, Tebow gets antsy. Tebow is great on the run, Quinn is average. In a long field, Quinn would be the better fit. In a short field, Tebow would be the better fit.”
This year carried its own set of unusual circumstances, of course, thanks to the NFL lockout. Constantinesco said that likely favors Quinn over Tebow, given his greater NFL experience.
“It’s clear that the lockout hurt Tebow more than it did Quinn,” she said. “Tebow didn’t have the necessary OTAs that a second-year QB needs to get ready. He played well in preseason considering, but to compete for a starting job, he needed more offseason reps under the watchful eye of coaches. Brady Quinn has had other offseasons, so he knows how to prepare. He knows what his coaches would have had him do.”
Despite all the offseason debate and fans clamoring for Tebow or Quinn, Denver has played their first two games of 2011 with Orton at the helm, going 1-1 so far. Constantinesco has liked what she has seen from Orton so far this campaign.
“Orton is playing composed football right now,” she said. “There were times when he could have let a mistake bring him down, but he’s great at bouncing back. The funny thing is if Orton has 300+ yards passing, people get worried because his great numbers don’t necessarily produce wins. For example, he had over 300 yards against the Raiders in Week 1, yet the team lost. Against the Bengals, he had 195 yards and the team won. It goes to show that although a QB is important, it takes a balanced offense to win games.”
Still, the promise of Tebow and the noise from the stands may be too much for Denver to ignore, and Constantinesco isn’t sure they should.
“The Broncos made so many offseason changes from front office to coaching staff to players,” she said. “As they try and turn a new leaf, I say put Tebow in and let him develop. People can’t expect him to lead the Broncos to the playoffs in his first full season as starting QB, but I think in time, he would get to that point. His leadership qualities are already strong and he’s willing to put in the work. All that’s needed is for the opportunity to come along.”
As the season progresses one could see any number of faces under center for the Denver Broncos. They’re certain to continue the search for the type of balance they need to be a successful team in the standings, and that could make them one of the most intriguing teams of 2011 – regardless of if it’s one of the former college stars or the more anonymous NFL vet who winds up under center.
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