2011 Denver Broncos Preview: Quarterback

The Denver Broncos certainly have a conundrum on their hands at quarterback that will only get bigger as the preseason wears on, especially if Tim Tebow shows something during live game action, lending credence to his "gamer" mystique. It is obvious that Kyle Orton took this offseason seriously and showed up in top form in training camp. The question is - the million dollar question - how will fans react if Orton starts coming up short in games like he did in 2010?

Tebow would certainly benefit having another year behind Orton to study and learn, but at some point he will need his fair shake and most would agree that eventually Tebow will catch up to and surpass Orton in ability on the field. The worst thing that could happen was recently expressed by Broncos Hall of Famer, Shannon Sharpe in The Denver Post:

"The situation needs to be resolved one way or the other," Sharpe said. "You can't have it where Kyle Orton plays a bad game and you hear the fans booing and they're chanting Tebow. At the same time, you can't have fans chanting Tebow! Tebow! Tebow! if Kyle Orton gives you a better chance to win.

"So hopefully — I say, 'hopefully' — this thing will work itself out and by the time the season starts a month from now they will have a clear cut idea who's going to be the quarterback."

And he is correct. When the season starts there needs to be zero debate about who is the Broncos starting quarterback for 2011 and that is a decision that must not only come from John Fox, but from John Elway as well. Leaving no question where this organization is headed in 2011 and beyond.

Kyle Orton

#8 / Quarterback / Denver Broncos

Height: 6-4

Weight: 225

Born: Nov 14, 1982

College: Purdue

Kyle Orton is the named starter and has shown he can practice with the best of them. He is a 7th year veteran and is at the peak of his career, so it would be a concern if he was struggling to beat out a raw 2nd year guy - even one as ripped as Tebow.

The Broncos should sport a much improved rushing attack and defense, so this is the year for Orton to play for that long term deal he so covets. One he wants so badly that he would turn down the two year deal Miami reportedly offered him. Either way, the Broncos could possibly compete in the weak AFC West with him at the helm, so long as the poor third down and red zone play doesn't continue to plague him. You can look at those situational stats from the official Denver Broncos website.

Here is a quick look at Orton's last five games via http://www.denverbroncos.com:

Tim Tebow

#15 / Quarterback / Denver Broncos

Height: 6-3

Weight: 245

Born: Aug 14, 1987

College: Florida

Tim Tebow is a phenomenal athlete that is under the most scrutiny of any quarterback in the NFL since John Elway was drafted - or maybe just in Denver. I didn't live in Denver for either quarterback and I can't think of any two guys who got more national press time than Tebow and Elway early in their careers. In any case, Tebow was drafted as a developmental quarterback and few believed he would be ready until at least 2012. Well, he proved us wrong late last season leading the team to a strong, competitive finish.

However, we have several new sheriffs in town who are not convinced he is ready and now Broncos country is faced with yet another quarterback controversy. Tebow is well known for practicing poorly, but he certainly brings that X Factor in games. The question is, will the always-crisp-in-practice Kyle Orton beat out the give-it-to-me-raw Tim Tebow? I know this much, no Bronco fan should miss any of the four preseason games this year as it is going to be very interesting...

Here is a quick look at Tebow's last five games via http://www.denverbroncos.com:

Brady Quinn

#9 / Quarterback / Denver Broncos

Height: 6-3

Weight: 235

Born: Oct 27, 1984

College: Notre Dame

Brady Quinn is getting a lot of play as the Denver Broncos #2 quarterback, but there is doubt it will translate in actual game play. He will get his chance, provided EFX isn't blowing smoke up out collective rear ends. The metal will meet the meat so to speak on Thursday and we'll see if Quinn can be effective consistently against the purely vanilla defenses he'll be faced with.

As a former first round pick, he certain has athletic ability. The big question is whether he will ever be anything more than a solid backup quarterback.

Here are some of Quinn's career highlights via http://www.denverbroncos.com:

• A fourth-year quarterback who enters his first season with the Broncos having seen time in 14 games (12 starts) during his first three professional seasons with Cleveland.
• Registered a career-high nine starts for the Browns in 2009, setting personal bests in passing yards (1,339), completions (136) and touchdowns (8) while registering 150 consecutive pass attempts without an interception in the second half of the year.
• Posted single-game career highs in passing yards (304) and touchdown passes (4) at Detroit (11/22/09) before completing a personal-best 25 passes vs. San Diego (12/6/09).
• Started three consecutive games for Cleveland midway through the 2008 season, completing 45-of-89 passes for 518 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions during that stretch.
• Made the first start of his NFL career on Thursday Night Football vs. Denver (11/6/08), completing 23-of-35 (65.7%) passes for 239 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 104.3 passer rating, after seeing time in the Browns’ season finale as a rookie in 2007.

Adam Weber has looked good in training camp this year and provided Orton isn't traded, look for him to end up the practice squad. There is not too much expectation from him to crack the top three right now, but the kid definitely has some promise and worthy of a practice squad spot.

Here is some additional information on Weber via http://www.denverbroncos.com:

Adam Weber is a rookie quarterback from the University of Minnesota who joined the Broncos as a college free agent on July 27, 2011… Finished his career ranked third all-time in the Big Ten Conference for passing yards (10,917) and passing attempts (1,594) and fourth all-time with 909 completions… His 72 passing touchdowns rank 10th all-time in the Big Ten… Set a conference record for consecutive starts (50) by a quarterback and tied the all-time league record for all positions… Started all 12 games as a senior, completing 205-of-368 passes for 2,515 yards with 20 touchdowns… Started all 13 games his junior season and threw for 2,582 yards on 191-367 passing with 13 touchdowns… Opened all 13 games as a sophomore, finishing 255-of-410 for 2,761 yards and 15 touchdowns… Started all 12 games and completed 258-of-449 passes for 2,895 yards and 25 touchdowns during his freshman campaign… Attended Mounds View High School in Arden Hills, Minn., where he was a three-time all-state performer and all-conference selection… Also lettered four times each in basketball and track… Majored in business marketing education… Adam Weber was born on Aug. 3, 1987.

GO BRONCOS!