Denver Broncos 2010 Preview: Tim Tebow Overrated or Second Coming?

The Denver Broncos had a busy offseason leading into the 2010 NFL season. They acquired embattled quarterback Brady Quinn from Cleveland then in the NFL Draft moved up to take Tim Tebow. Now, heading into camp, Denver has only three quarterbacks and the one with the most NFL experience is Kyle Orton. Denver's season doesn't look too promising considering their finish in the 2009 NFL season.


Denver Lands Good Draft Picks but Could They Have Waited for Tim Tebow?

Denver drafted wide receiver Demaryius Thomas with their first NFL Draft pick and 22nd overall. Then they came right back with the 25th pick overall, where they grabbed quarterback Tim Tebow .

The Tebow pick was only considered a bad pick because no one had Tebow on their radar until the the third round, at the earliest. The Denver Broncos' NFL Draft was not a complete disaster, but second-year coach Josh McDaniel overvalued a few of his picks.


Josh McDaniels in His Second Year Looks to Maintain Fire for Entire Season

Denver jumped out to an incredible start for the 2009 NFL season, but it was obvious after looking at their first two wins that they could have easily been 0-2. The Denver Broncos that folded up at the end of the season were the real Denver Broncos of 2009.

Now the question is, can the fiery Josh McDaniels keep his younger team fired up and motivated for all 16 games in 2010?

McDaniels seems to think Tim Tebow, the fire and brimstone quarterback from Florida, will be his leader on the sideline and on the field for the 2010 NFL season. Meanwhile, every NFL insider can't believe Tebow will see any significant playing time.

One thing is definite, Tebow is an athlete but will his style translate to the bigger, faster NFL. McDaniels will either look like a genius or be unemployed at the end of this NFL season.


Drafted Wide Receivers Could Make an Impact in Denver's Offense

The two newly drafted wide receivers, Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker , could see significant time on the field. Thomas is expected to play from day one and Decker may have to play in special situations as a slot or fourth wide receiver.

The incumbent receivers, Eddie Royal and Brandon Stokley, are the senior members of the wide receiver ranks now that Brandon Marshall has left for Miami in a trade. If McDaniels is expecting Thomas to pick up the slack from the missing 1,100-1,300 yards in receiving by Brandon Marshall , he will be sadly disappointed.


Running Back is a Large Question Mark with Buckhalter and Second Year Back Moreno

Knowshon Moreno did have over 900 yards as a rookie, but when looking at his numbers compared to other first year backs, Moreno was average. Entering his second year and sharing the backfield with Correll Buckhalter, Moreno will have to be a 1,200-1,300 yard back to give Denver any type of running game.

Correll Buckhalter is a decent running back, but if McDaniels is expecting Buckhalter to carry a typical Denver running back load, it will not happen. Backing up Buckhalter will be a wide open race. Possibly McDaniels is thinking of running a wildcat with Tebow to spell Buckhalter and Moreno. That will be interesting to see if that is the plan.


Denver Defense Not Addressed at Linebacker Position

Denver drafted two corners in the NFL Draft and waited until the last pick to take a linebacker. It may take a year or two to illuminate that mistake, but eventually Denver will pay for passing on some solid linebackers early in the draft.

Elvis Dumervil could use some help in this 3-4 alignment but he did not get any in the NFL Draft. There are still some players available on defense Denver may be looking to grab once training camp is underway.


Final Breakdown of the 2010 Denver Broncos

A young coach, an unsettled quarterback situation with three average quarterbacks, and a wide receiver corps that is without their most productive receiver—some have said the Denver Broncos are in a rebuilding year, but don't tell Josh McDaniels this.

The Las Vegas Hilton Superbook set the over/under win total for Denver at 7.5 wins, but Denver should only win six or seven games in the 2010 NFL season.  Denver is also a 5-1 shot to win the AFC West .

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