Training Camp Report

We are a week into the 2011 Broncos Training Camp, and things seem to be a little more upbeat this year. That certainly will happen when you have a new head coach, and someone like John Fox seems to bring a little more of a positive feeling to the team and the organization. Before we get into the Kyle Orton- TimTebow debate, here are some of the most recent moves the Broncos have made this past week:

1) Denver signed Ty Warren formerly of New England. Warren was let go by the Pats after missing all of last season with a hip injury.

2) The Broncos resigned Marcus Thomas to also bolster their defensive line.

3) Denver acquired Broderick Bunkley from Philadelphia for a late round draft choice in 2013.

4) The Broncos released S Renaldo Hill.

All of these moves on the defensive line look like they can go either way this year. We have been down this road in the past, and the Broncos have gotten burned by trying to sign veteran players, who were once starters, but have health concerns. Warren and Bunkley were both starters and contributors for Pats and the Eagles, but injuries were the main reason they were shown the door. I think that both can help, but I've seen this story before, so I'm going to have to be pessimistic on these two signings. I am happy that the Broncos resigned Thomas because it seems his effort was always there the past few years. He should have a better fit in the Broncos new 4-3 scheme than he did in the 3-4 the past two seasons.

Now, onto the Tebow-Orton debate. First, let me say this: I want Tebow to start. I've said that from day one, and I believe that now is the time to give him a chance to start. If he does well, then we have a QB for the future. If he fails, then we know we have to address that position in the draft next year. With all that said, obviously Kyle Orton is the better quarterback right now. He also gives Denver the best chance to win starting the year, but that is not the simple answer to this QB question. Think about it: If Denver goes 6-10 or even 8-8 this year with Orton, was anything really accomplished? Is that enough for the Broncos to resign Orton and give him a long-term extension? I don't think so; therefore, it is time to start Tebow and see what happens. If Denver goes 8-8 with Tebow, then maybe their quarterback questions are answered.

Next, something is missing in this story. It sounds like the Broncos Front Office decided in the offseason to give Tebow the opportunity to start this year. They put Orton on the trading block, the Dolphins bite, the deal falls through, and Orton remains with the Broncos. After one week of practice, Orton is basically told that he is not going to be traded, and the unofficially named the starter. What changed Denver's mind in a week? Why didn't they put Orton as the number two guy after the trade blew up? Something is missing here.

Let's be honest here, there is no QB controversy in Denver right now. Kyle Orton is the starter, he is taking all the first team reps, and unless he gets hurt in preseason, he will start week 1. If it were a true competition, then Tebow would be getting reps with the first team as well, and that has not been the case at all. Orton will start no matter what type of competition John Fox and his staff are promoting. Perhaps the Broncos have a longterm vision with Tim Tebow in mind, but to sell winning to the team right now, the Broncos staff will say that Orton gives them the best chance to win right now, and Tebow is simply not ready. As much as I hate to admit it, Fox and John Elway haven't really deviated from what they said all offseason. They both said that they probably wouldn't trade Orton, and they didn't. Also, Elway said that he likes Tebow, but he isn't sure if he is going to be ready this year. It looks like Tebow won't get his shot this year, so basically Elway and Fox have laid out this roadmap and have followed it.

Do I think it is a big mistake? Absolutely, but I can't call them liars because this is how they said it probably could play out.

So where does it leave me as a Broncos fan? I want Tebow to be the starting QB for the Broncos. I think this is the right time for him to start, and I think he can be very effective. The Broncos fan base also needs this in a bad way. No offense to Kyle Orton, but we have seen him do what he does, and he is 11-19 as a Broncos starter. It is time for a change, and Tebow is the kind of change that can ignite a franchise and a fan base. The Broncos haven't mattered for the past five years, and it is time for them to matter again. Kyle Orton won't make them matter again, but Tim Tebow will.

Finally, here is my strategy for dealing with this in the next month or two. I am going to root against Kyle Orton in the preseason games. I hope he fumbles, throw picks, looks bad, gets booed, and gets injured (Nothing major but just something that would keep him on the sidelines for at least a month of preseason.) Obviously, I'm going to rooting for Tebow to play lights out and play very well in the preseason. If Orton starts the regular season opener vs Oakland, which he will unless he gets hurt, then I will root for Orton because I'm a Broncos fan, and I want my team to do well and win. If Orton struggles, then I would hope the staff would turn to Tebow at some point to rescue the season. If Orton plays incredible, then perhaps Denver would be on their way to a playoff berth. One way or the other, I just want the best for my Broncos-even if I try to put a spell Orton in the process.