Sorting Out the Broncos QB Conundrum

When we last saw the Denver Broncos in action, Tim Tebow's final hail mary pass had fallen incomplete in a valiant, last-minute comeback against San Diego in the 2010 season finale. The loss put the final touches on a dreadful 4-12 campaign that saw Josh McDaniels get fired in early December. There were some glimpses of hope at the end of the season, and the brightest gleam was no other than Tebow himself. He had done some really nice things in his three starts to end the season. Of course, he made some mistakes, but all of the errors were mistakes that most rookie QBs in the NFL make in their first three starts. Yes, he was unpolished in the pocket and his footwork needs work, but his mobility was there, and he could make all the throws that are needed at the NFL level. Tebow's shining moment came in his second start. He lead Denver to a comeback victory over Houston. Denver trailed 17-0 at the half and 23-10 going into the fourth quarter. Tebow mixed in some running and throwing to finish off the Texans and scored the game winning touchdown on a scramble to give Denver the 24-23 triumph. Everyone, including myself, in Broncos country was psyched about the future going forward with Tim Tebow. He was the new hope for a franchise that had really lost its' way. The Broncos started a new regime with John Elway as VP, Brian Xanders as GM, and John Fox as the new HC. Things looked like they were falling into place at Dove Valley. A lot of experts and observers felt that Denver would trade Kyle Orton for a 2nd, 3rd or 4th round draft pick in this year's draft. We would use that extra pick as well as the number two overall pick to stockpile talent for our depleted and terrible defensive unit. It was assumed that the Broncos would go forward with Tebow, and many fans were very excited and happy for that, but a funny thing happened along that path. Elway, Xanders, and Fox didn't exactly see it that way. They came out at the Super Bowl and stated that everyone can't assume that Orton is going to be traded. At the combine, all three of them claimed that Orton was the Broncos starting QB (I take that with a grain of salt), and Tebow has a lot of prove still as an NFL QB. Then, the Broncos started to workout and visit with pretty much every QB prospect that could be picked in the first three rounds of April's draft. That is when everyone started writing reports that the Broncos brain trust doesn't believe in Tebow. Radio shows started interviewing experts who "heard" that the Bronco front office doesn't love Tebow as an NFL QB. Elway and company were spotted at Blaine Gabbert's and Cam Newton's pro days. They scheduled private workouts with each. Also, they worked out Jake Locker, Christian Ponder, Colin Kapernick, and Andy Dalton. The speculation has started to build and there were rumors that Elway was in love with Newton's ability. There were reports that the Broncos will definitely address the QB position in the early second or third round with a guy like Kaepernick or Ponder. There were even thoughts that Denver will trade back up into the first round to nab someone like Locker. Elway and Xanders kept fueling the flames when they said that they don't know if Tebow is that franchise guy yet. They are keeping their options open and looking at all QBs in the draft because maybe one of those guys is a potential franchise guy. Elway even came out and said that it is not a smokescreen at all. So where does all of this leave the Broncos and their QB conundrum? My take is that it is not a smokescreen. When you are picking second overall, you have to look at everyone that is available and considered top 10-15 talent. That means that Denver should look closely at Gabbert and Newton. With two second round picks, perhaps Locker could be an option for them or they could use that as ammunition to move up and get him. Perhaps if Kaepernick falls to them in round three, they will jump on it. Whatever the case, at least Elway is coming into this new job as VP with an open mind and not taking the safe and cautious route. Here is my one problem with all this QB talk: There is not one QB in this draft that is a sure thing. In addition, none of these guys in the draft are really a better option at QB then what we currently have on the roster. None of these guys are Matt Stafford, Sam Bradford, or even Mark Sanchez. None of them are really pro ready either. Gabbert is a spread QB who has a lot of questions and never really dominated his own conference. For all the upside that Newton has, he is about the same type of player as Tebow. Plus, Newton's off the field concerns make people very nervous (See Young, Vince). Locker is raw and not polished at all and his stock has plummeted in the past year. Ryan Mallet has no moblilty and reminds everyone of Ryan Leaf. Kapernick is a project, and Ponder is injury prone. What is there to love about this class? It is not like Andrew Luck is in this draft. None of these guys jump out at me or anyone who should be evaluating QBs. Now, if you are Carolina, and you need something to desperately jumpstart your team, then taking Newton or Gabbert makes sense. If you are Arizona, and your QB options on Derek Anderson and John Skelton, then Newton or Gabbert makes sense. If you are the Titans, and your options are Kerry Collins or Rusty Smith, then taking a QB makes sense. It doesn't make sense if you are the Denver Broncos. Trust me. The Broncos haven't had a decent defense since the 2005 season. They can't stop the run the last four years, have no pass rush outside of Elvis Dumervil, and they are old and slow all over the place in that defense. They need defense and impact players on defense badly. They will get their chance at one in this year's draft. Von Miller, Patrick Peterson, and Marcel Dareus could all start in Denver next year and really improve their defense in a heartbeat. With two second round picks, Denver could easily pick at least one more defensive starter in the second round to go along with whomever they get at number two overall. The Broncos really don't need to draft a QB in this draft. Even if they go into the season with Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow battling it out, it is a better option drafting a young QB and seeing if he will develop. The way that John Fox wants to build his team is to get a good defense, a punishing running team and win games with scores like 17-10 or 20-13. That is fine with me, and sticking with Tebow is the perfect way to begin to implement that approach. I'm sorry you really can't evaluate Tebow on three games of action last year. Tebow had no help, especially with an awful defense, a team playing out the string, and no running game. Once again it makes sense to look at all the QBs in the draft, but it doesn't make sense to draft one of these guys to replace Orton, Tebow or both. It makes sense to go into next season with Orton and Tebow. It doesn't make sense to spend first round picks back to back years on a QB. I hope that things get sorted out and the Broncos do the right thing. Hopefully, the Panthers remove some doubt from the situation and draft either Newton or Gabbert number one. Then, let's hope that Elway and company make the right move and select either Dareus, Miller or Peterson and start their new regime off with a bang. Hopefully, rounds two and three produce another defensive player, and even a tight end or running back. Put it this way, if I see Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert, Jake Locker, or even Colin Kaepernick on the television, picking up a call on his cell phone, and then donning a Broncos cap, things will be flying across my man cave, and the language will be foul. That can't happen this draft. Do the right thing Elway. Make the right call. Forget the QB conundrum you have drummed up. Give Tebow a shot because I really think you won't regret it.