Tim Tebow: Will Tim Terrific Start His Sophomore Season for the Denver Broncos?

Last week, the Broncos' ex-quarterback was talking about Denver's quarterback of the future, and what was said was somewhat surprising.

John Elway, crowned as the smiling head atop the Broncos' front office totem pole, has seemingly backed Tim Tebow since he was hired.

Elway said of Tebow: “Tim, as I've said, is a guy that is a very good football player. He is not a great quarterback yet. Hopefully we can make him a great quarterback, but I think that's going to take some time."

Elway's confidence in Tebow shows in the comments made about him, and it sounds as if the young QB will get valuable time to prove his worth.

And as Elway backs Tebow, many believed the Broncos' next head coach needed to be on the Tebow bandwagon, too, and it seems as if John Fox likes his quarterback.

Fox said during his inaugural Broncos' presser, “I think he has work to do—he knows it. But one thing I will say is that he will do whatever it takes. That is one of the things I saw in the early process. He has as good of intangibles as [any] athlete that I have ever been around on a short visit. I think nothing but upside is going to occur for him going forward.”

“The thing that is impressive about Tim Tebow is he is not afraid to be great and he will do everything humanly possible to make that accelerate and that is the thing that is exciting,” Fox concluded.

The two in power were smart to latch onto Tebow—one of the NFL's most popular players.

But then, surprising words came from Denver's Vice President Elway when he said, “If we had to play today, Kyle Orton is the starting QB. Kyle is definitely in the equation. It’s not a foregone conclusion we’re going to trade Kyle at all. We still have to evaluate that part. I think a lot of people think it’s automatic. It’s not.”

He basically said that Orton gives the Broncos the best chance of winning right now.

Where have Broncos' fans heard that from before?

Oh yeah, last year from Josh McDaniels.

Yes, Orton is more experienced with six years in the league, and yes, he enjoyed a career-year last season, but is he what Denver needs?

Orton is as pedestrian as the little man on cross-walk signs—he's plain, boring and reached his peak last year.

Orton is good, not great, and he never will be.

On the other hand, Tebow is Orton's antithesis—the young, exciting and excitable player that will do anything it takes to win a game.

Tebow is statuesque—he's massive for a QB and difficult to tackle because of his size; Orton falls over at the very sound of defensive lineman’s footsteps.

Tebow can extend the play, one of the most underrated characteristics of a great QB—see Super Bowl starters Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger or almost-MVP Michael Vick; Orton couldn't escape a brown paper bag.

Tebow gives it his all every play, even if it means taking a punishing hit to get a first down; Orton surrenders, flops and quits on plays to save himself.

There's no doubt at their respective points in their careers that Orton has a higher QB I.Q., he understands defenses quicker and easier than Tebow and Orton knows what coaches expect out of him as the starter.

But it also takes repetitions to learn all of the nuances of quarterbacking in the NFL, and Tebow has shown a work ethic and devotion to Denver that is second to none.

Basically, Orton is a better quarterback than Tebow today technically, and he gives Denver a better chance to win right away—but what sane person believes the Broncos will compete in 2011?

The reality is, the team is in shambles, with a new front office that's wet behind the ears, a brand new coaching staff in place and an amount of player turnover that will force fans to purchase programs to know names.

This is Tebow time in the Mile High City.

This is the type of team a young QB needs to start on.

The type of team that will be brand new to the Broncos and NFL (there will likely be lots of rookies and second-year players to make an impact in 2011).

Tebow can take the reins of the young Broncos and shape himself into the unquestioned leader and lead by example.

It's difficult to take a play off, let alone a practice, if your starting quarterback is running circles around you.

This type of team, one with very little or no expectations placed on them is one that will facilitate the growth of a young QB—Tebow can get the experience without the never-ending ridicule.

The type of team, one that is almost completely void of stars, is perfect for Tebow because his star power brought new Broncos fans from all around the country despite how disheartening Denver was last season.

Tebow gives fans reasons to care (and pack Mile High, even with a 3-12 record); he gives them a reason to hope the Broncos will once again be competitive.

And another thing, Orton won't sit idly by and play second fiddle or second QB to second-year Tim Tebow, and his $8 million salary could be saved to use on other areas of need (which are many).

Tebow time is now, Elway and Fox need to realize and move forward with their young QB of the future, not the one that was brought in to temporarily fill the position.

The Broncos have a long way to go before they win games consistently, and so does Tebow.

Why not give them both time to grow together?

Rich Kurtzman is a freelance journalist actively seeking a career in journalism. Along with being the CSU Rams Examiner, Kurtzman is a Denver Nuggets, Denver Broncos and NBA Featured Columnist for bleacherreport.com, the Colorado/Utah Regional Correspondent for stadiumjourney.com and a weekly contributor to milehighhoops.com.

Rich also heads up PR for K-Biz and Beezy, a Colorado-based rap group.

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