Madden '12 Ratings: Denver Broncos QB Tim Tebow's Rating Sure to Decline

With "Madden '12" to be released soon, the Broncos are the AFC West's weakest link.

It's no surprise the Denver Broncos were rated as the lowest team in the AFC West.

According to Jon Robinson of ESPN.com, those who like mobility should go with Tim Tebow:

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"It's all about who you want as your starting quarterback in Denver. Tim Tebow is 77 overall with 80 speed and 76 throwing accuracy while Kyle Orton is 82 overall with only 64 speed but 85 accuracy. Really depends on how you like to play 'Madden.' As a guy who likes mobility, I'll take Tebow."

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So much for Orton running away with the starting role—at least when it comes to virtual football.

In addition, Denver comes in with a 74 overall rating, just two points back of Oakland but 11 points down off the leading San Diego Chargers.

Now the question is: Do these rating really mean anything to the real-life quarterback competition in Denver?

No.

And because of the NFL lockout, "Madden '12" will not be released until the end of August, which means the majority of preseason football will be concluded.

This year the NFL preseason acts as a consolation prize because normally Madden comes out just as it's starting.

Hence, we're all playing Madden instead of watching the preseason, and the only way we find out about trades, waivers, or players being released is via Xbox Live.

But I digress.

And since the majority of the preseason will be complete by the time Madden is released, chances are Tebow's rating falls.

He's definitely too high as a 77, and Orton is slightly low at 82.

There for sure needs to be a bigger discrepancy between the starter and backup, otherwise this controversy may find it's way into real-life football.

Nonetheless, one of two things must happen, because we know Orton will be the starter, otherwise they would have traded him.

Not to mention he's been gold for them in the pocket in terms of numbers—despite missing the playoffs.

I have two predictions:

1. Orton's rating increases, or

2. Tebow's rating decreases.

Both don't have to happen, but one or the other will happen.

Tebow still has a lot to prove, whereas Orton, not so much.

Additionally, you can't discount the No. 3 quarterback, Brady Quinn, who will be breathing down Tebow's neck this entire preseason.

So is it fair to anticipate a drop in Tebow's rating, yes.

If the folks at EA Sports want to make Madden the most realistic video game out there, having a larger gap between Orton and Tebow is the correct decision.

They still have some time to change it, otherwise the game just isn't as real as it should be.

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report.

And, you can follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.