Tim Tebow Predictions: 5 Reasons He'll Be the Broncos' Starter by Week 8

One of the biggest controversies of the preseason in the NFL has been the battle for the starting quarterback job for the Denver Broncos.

In Kyle Orton, the Broncos have a seasoned, dependable NFL veteran who has proven he can play the game at a good level. In Tim Tebow, they have a very young, raw talent who has the possible potential to be the spark the franchise needs to return to former glory.

Here are five reasons why the Broncos will ultimately go with the spark plug over the veteran by the midway point in the regular season.

Tebow Is Young

The truth is that youth matters in the NFL. Tebow is still just a pup at 24 years old and has a whole lot of time to improve.

Orton isn’t old at 28, but that is a four-year disadvantage he has when being compared to Tebow.

Plus, Tebow has already proven from his style of play both in college and the pros that he can take quite a bit of physical punishment while still avoiding injury.

That’s a youth thing and, considering the rest of the team, it may be a quality the starting quarterback of the Denver Broncos needs.

The Broncos Won’t Win Much Anyway

Let’s be realistic: it’s obvious the Broncos are a few years away from contending. They are young and inexperienced and suffer from an extreme lack of talent at certain positions.

Either way, the Broncos’ 2011 season is not going to be a great. In fact, a 7-9 year would be a major success, which is why the Broncos don’t need to keep Orton as the starter.

Is Orton better right now than Tebow? Yes. Will it make a difference winning-wise? Absolutely not.

They might as well throw Tebow out there, because the only way he’ll grow is through reps. And he won’t be able to get enough with Orton in the picture.

Tebow Is a Gamer

The biggest thing Tebow is known for is his spirit. His off-the-field attitude and tremendous determination and focus have allowed him to be a special player and leader at previous levels.

This is no knock against Orton. Tebow’s leadership qualities have already become legend, and few NFL players would have that impressive of a resume coming in.

Ultimately though, Tebow is a guy with guts and a guy whose all-out, knock-down drag-out type of physical play has the potential to inspire teammates. Orton just doesn’t have that.

Orton Is Just More of the Same

Orton has been with the Broncos for two full seasons. In those two seasons they were an average team that put up pretty nice offensive stats but never transcended to that “next level.”

Orton is a very serviceable NFL veteran. But he’s not a star, he’s just a good quarterback who needs a better supporting cast, especially on defense, in order to succeed at a higher level.

It may not be certain that Tebow will take the Broncos any higher, but it is certain that Orton won’t.

Tebow Will Sell Tickets

This is, with a doubt, the most undeniable point in this slideshow.

People want to watch Tebow. Much like Tiger Woods (but for very different reasons), Tebow puts butts in the seats and in front of the TV sets.

Love him or hate him, we want to watch him, either to see him be great or to see him fall on his face.

You can’t deny it. If you could, you wouldn’t be reading this.