Denver Broncos Wise to Turn to Smith and Hasselbeck If Manning Doesn't Sign

The Denver Broncos can't limit their interest in a new QB to Peyton Manning. If they can't land the four-time MVP, then they need to turn their attention to the man he is replacing. 

This is not something that the throng of Tim Tebow supporters will want to hear, but that is the nature of the reality of the situation. 

Mike Klis, of the Denver Post, puts the question out there that if they don't get Manning should Denver go after one of the QBs he is likely to replace.  

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If the Tennessee Titans get Manning, the expectation is they would release Matt Hasselbeck. Would the Broncos replace their quest for a quarterback who will turn 36 on Saturday for a quarterback who is 36 now?

If the 49ers get Manning, then Alex Smith transforms from free agent returning to his old club to free agent in play for everybody else.

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The answer is yes, they should.

John Elway and the Broncos brain trust is not sold on Tebow. They have been tepid in their endorsements of the QB. 

After a season in which Tebow helped the Broncos turn their season around and was even at the helm during a playoff victory, Elway, in the postseason press conference, would not go any further than saying that Tebow had earned the right to enter training camp as the starter. 

But while saying that, he also admitted that Tebow has some work to do. Here is Elway, as quoted by Pro Football Talk's Greg Rosenthal: 

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The passing game wasn’t where we wanted it to be. Those are the strides we have to make...we know Timmy will work his tail off.

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While Elway isn't going to come out and say they want to replace Tebow, it is easy enough to read the writing on the walls that they would like to acquire a more traditional QB. And by more traditional QB, I mean someone that can complete more than 50 percent of his passes. 

There is no sense delaying this process just because they don't land Peyton Manning. There will be other options available, like Alex Smith, who is a free agent, and Matt Hasselbeck, who would likely be released if the Titans signed Manning. 

While these guys might not be the ideal QBs for the Broncos, at least it would allow them to run more of the style of offense they desire.