Tim Tebow vs. Christian Ponder: Which New Starting QB Has Better Future?

While Tim Tebow's debut as the Broncos starting quarterback is the story of Week 7 so far, another first round quarterback will make their first start this Sunday: Christian Ponder. 

At this point, no one knows for sure who will be more successful in the NFL. However, one has to think that Ponder will receive more of the benefit of the doubt from his organization than Tebow.

Ponder is a rookie and was drafted by the current regime; Tebow was not drafted by Elway/Fox and was buried o the depth chart in training camp. If Tebow struggles, the Broncos brass will have not qualms about dumping Tebow and the drama that surrounds him. If Ponder struggles, however, he will be given several chances to live up to his draft selection.

While Tebow may be on a shorter leash, he clearly has more upside than Ponder. Despite his well-documented mechanical problems in his throwing motion, Tebow has some decent arm strength. If he can fix his mechanical problems, combining his skill with his intangibles gives Tebow a ton of potential.  

Ponder, on the other hand, has a much shorter ceiling. He was drafted much higher than most had projected, but he fits the Vikings' West Coast system perfectly of being smart and accurate, despite a lack of a big-time arm.

While he may very well succeed in the Viking offense, he probably is not going to be the kind of quarterback that carries his team over and over again, and his ability to stretch the field will be limited. 

While both quarterbacks may succeed, it appears as if Tebow's potential gives him a brighter future in the NFL.