Tim Tebow: Is Executive John Elway Sabotaging the Denver Broncos Quaterback?

How often have we heard that the NFL of today is a “win now” league?  With all of the pressures on head coaches and team executives, would it surprise anyone if a team sabotaged a player’s future for the sake of “the team”? 

Since Week 1 of the 2011 season, not a Denver Broncos conversation has been held without the mention of quarterback Tim Tebow.  First, there was consistent pressure from Broncos fans to start Tim Tebow.  It started with the booing of incumbent starter Kyle Orton, then progressed to Tebow chants during games.  Lastly, there were billboards…yes, BILLBOARDS! 

After a 1-4 start, the Broncos caved and gave Tebow a shot.  Team football czar John Elway was not on the Tebow train initially.  Even after several heroic comeback wins—Elway’s “bread and butter” in his playing days—you would see him barely crack a smile on camera.  Now it appears that he has jumped on board. 

He’s saying all the right things, telling the press that Tebow isn’t going anywhere and that he will work with him in the offseason.  Most recently, he stated to the Denver Post that Tebow needed to "put everything behind him, go through his progressions and pull the trigger."  Has he watched this guy throw the ball this season?

John Elway is synonymous with the state of Colorado.  He was a legendary quarterback with the Denver Broncos, owns several successful businesses in the Denver area, co-owned the Colorado Crush of the Arena Football League, and is enshrined in the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. 

When he took over as the Executive Vice President of Football Operations with the Broncos, it was the ideal situation for all parties.  John was coming home to right the ship that’s been sinking since he retired 11 years prior.  John Elway is an old-school guy who wants to run a prototypical offense with a traditional quarterback.  Basically, he wants a Mini-Me. 

If Tebow was playing just awful—even more so than now—Elway could cut/bench/trade him and the fans would most likely agree.  However, the team is winning and the NFL has “Tebow Fever.”  So what does he do?  He instructs his inaccurate quarterback—41 percent completion rate, four interceptions over the last three games—to air it out against the No. 1 pass defense in the NFL. 

Elway wants Tebow gone and is willing to do whatever it takes.  This team is not a playoff team and plays in a division with three other teams that all self-destructed this season.  I believe Elway is taking a page from Colonel Nathan R. Jessup’s playbook.  If questioned in the court of law, he would probably respond with:

"

“Son, we play in a league of intense competition, and that league has to be run by men called executives. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Walt J.? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Tebow, and you curse NFL Executives. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Tebow's release, while unfortunate, probably saved next season. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, WILL produce winners. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at sports bars, you want me in that office, you need me in that office. We use words like talent, poise, pocket presence. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent looking for the next ME. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to fans who watch and cheer under the blanket of the promise of Super Bowls that I will provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said “Thanks John”, and went back to your tailgate.  Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a headset, and call a play. Either way, I don't give a DAMN what you think you know about QUARTERBACKING!”

"

Elway is going to look for a quarterback in the draft and start preparing his long-awaited heir apparent.  Now let us remember that Elway is a successful businessman with an economics degree from Stanford. 

Tebow could potentially remain on the roster for financial purposes—salary cap reasons, merchandising, ticket sales—but he will not start another game for them.  This mess was created by Josh McDaniels and now that he’s gone, it’s time to clear out the remnants of that debacle.

With all of the injuries facing the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Broncos could pull off the upset this weekend.  Given that the Steelers are no stranger to playoffs, I am not very optimistic. 

I expect that this will be Tim Tebow’s last start as a Bronco.  Once the offseason commences, Colonel Elway will order the “Code TEBOW.”

Follow me on my blog, "Live From AREA 49" or on Twitter @area49sports