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Published on 08/22/2011 at Mon Aug 22 14:00.
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Could the Broncos cut Tim Tebow?

Posted Mon Aug 22nd by

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow tosses the ball during training camp in Englewood, Colo., on Friday, Aug. 19, 2011.(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow tosses the ball during training camp in Englewood, Colo., on Friday, Aug. 19, 2011.(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

“He’s not going to be your starter, he’s never going to be your starter, and the longer he stays on the team, the more drama he is going to create.”

Those are the words of ESPN analyst and noted Tim Tebow critic Merril Hoge this morning, referring to the NFL’s most famous backup quarterback in a debate that aired on SportsCenter this morning. Now that Tebow has seemingly become untradeable, Hoge argues that the Broncos should cut ties altogether. On air, another NFL analyst agreed with him.

Following Tebow’s demotion on the depth chart to Brady Quinn (for at least one game), it is true that Tebow’s stock in Denver is at an all-time low. “The consensus in speaking with a handful of team personnel executives when it comes to one Tim Tebow is this: A trade could happen, but it’s becoming increasingly likely the Broncos will keep or cut Tebow because the trade interest is dwindling rapidly,” CBS Sports’ Mike Freeman writes (link above).

“The executives portray the Tebow situation as a complicated one.”

It is indeed. But cutting Tebow does absolutely no good for the Broncos. If the fan frenzy is distracting the players, coaches, or team executives, there are other ways to mitigate those distractions than outright cutting the player.

For one, it would do the Broncos well to officially name Kyle Orton the 2011 starter (UPDATE: they did that). They unofficially did so by moving Brady Quinn up the depth chart, clearly illustrating the divide in their evaluation of their quarterbacks, but putting an official stamp on it would unify both players and fans behind #8.

Second, the Broncos need to make a decision about Tebow’s future. Can he be a quarterback in this league? It’s a tricky question. If there was ever a political and contractual climate for him to win a starting job — second year in the league, 4-12 season, starting QB in trade talks, two other quarterbacks with lame duck contracts — this offseason was it. Yet, at the same time, it’s difficult to doubt Tebow.

That’s why the Broncos won’t be cutting Tebow any time soon.  Tebow will not be a distraction. Orton always starts his seasons red hot, and it’s not like Tebow’s complaining or dividing the locker room.

Instead, the Broncos will keep Tebow and lean on his world-renowned work ethic. They’ll bet on his ability to morph into a professional football player in this league — either as a full-time quarterback, situational player, or as a convert to another position. There are a number of scouts and team executives that maintain that Tebow could be a Pro Bowl fullback in an H-back role.

If Tebow truly wants to help his team as he so often says he does, that change of position might be necessary.

But that’s a decision that can wait another year. For now, the Broncos will keep Tebow and let him learn. The Broncos don’t need a trade market to do that.

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  • http://Facebook.com/BroncosZone Jon

    Broncos quarterbacks currently under contract in 2012: Tim Tebow.

  • VirgilCole

    The fact that Merril Hoge even has a job discussing sports, and other players talent is proof enough that the world of sports is screwed up beyond belief.

    Hoge was no better than a second string himself when he played. The anger and vitriol in his comments goes well beyond just discussing a players position on the depth chart. Someone should try to find out why he hates Tebow so much.

    Hoge has discussed other players and has never been as hateful when talking about them. What's his problem with Tebow? I can understand his opinion, but to give it with such derision is a bit strange.

  • areferee

    Hoge, whose name rhymes with Dodge, must have been hit by one.  I know he suffered from numerous concussions during his career and it becomes evident every time he speaks.

  • JK

    Rookie season QB ratings: Orton 59.7, Quinn 56.8, Elway 54.9, Tebow 82.1

  • Troyn

    I think it's guilt and the religion thing with Hoge.  His rantings make no sense otherwise.  The same goes for many Tebow haters that don't back it up with on-field anyalsis.  Tebow has had limited snaps in the NFL, but in them, he has proved himself a better clutch performer than either Kyle or Brady, so it has to come back to a personal issue with many and/or most vitriolic Tebow detractors like Hoge, half the DP's staff, and many posting here.  You feel sh#tty about how you have lived your life, someone comes along and not only talks the talk about how to live a good life, (and be a winning QB), but walks the walk, thus you fell guilty and rant on them with no rational basis.  That said, Kyle Orton is better prepared to QB the Broncos right now, just like Deberg was in Elway's rookie year, Deberg was wrong for the future then, just as Kyle is now.

  • areferee

    As a man of Faith, Tebow understands such prejudice and hatred.  It only strengthens him.  As an athlete, such criticism only fuels his inner fire.  It's been that way for his entire career.  I only hope he doesn't lose faith in those around him, or for his fans in general.  He still has great support.

  • Paradisimo

    Honestly part of me hopes that we cut him.  I'm so sick of reading about Tebow every single day on every single sports site.  I actually think he can develop into a decent QB down the road but it's just tiresome all of the drama that comes along with him.  I've been extremely impressed with both Orton and Quinn in preseason and would feel more than comfortable riding with them this season.  I'd rather do away with the drama and start getting headlines for the way we play instead of the 3rd string QB.

  • http://manchester-architects.com T-Money

    If you don't put the players on the football field, they can't show you how they play, which, is ultimately the decisive factor of the success and greatness of a player.  

    I'm not saying that Tebow should be the starter, because frankly I'm sick of having a losing season and if Kyle Orton can get me excited for the playoffs or at the very least a push for a playoff spot – then fine.  Get my blood pumping.

    But to have any success – as for anything in life – it's repetition and experience.  Kyle Orton has it.  He can see things today that he couldn't see as a rookie, or even last year for that matter.  Why?  Because he's been out there winning, losing, and learning as a starting Quarterback in the NFL.  No doubt in my mind that Brady Quinn is a better player because of it.  

    You CAN NOT take the 5 games that Tebow played as a rookie as pin his ENTIRE NFL career on them.  That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard! (That's a finger pointed at everybody in the media especially Jamie Dukes and Mike Hoge).

    He's not ready yet, but that doesn't mean that he's worthless.  You need to get him on the field (for more than 5 plays) and let him learn and get the experience.

    And here's something to tickle your fancy.  There is not longer a 3rd QB rule/restriction in the NFL for those of you that don't know that.  Which means you can play any one of your Quarterbacks and then put the starter back in.  SO, you could label Tim Tebow as a “Utility Back” and let him do his thing with both Kyle Orton AND Brady Quinn.

  • herc_rock

    Huge sample size.  Just huge.

  • Paradisimo

    I saw it mentioned elsewhere that Tebow will be due approximately $6.25M in another month.  That is probably a big contributor in the decision as well.

  • herc_rock

    Hate on Merrill all you want, but he was right about Vince Young…and he's right about Tebow.   

  • herc_rock

    You feel sh#tty about how you have lived your life, someone comes along and not only talks the talk about how to live a good life, (and be a winning QB), but walks the walk, thus you fell guilty and rant on them with no rational basis. 

    Translation:  “You're all jealous hatorz!!!!” – dumbest f'ing thing I've read all day.

  • gimmeabreak

    In 3 games.
    Good grief.

    THIS is why people slam Tebow. Not for him, but his moronic backers.

  • rcsodak

    He took a major step backwards, while Quinn saw an opportunity to compete and jumped at it.
    There are exzmples of qb's not doing good early on, and then seeing the light. Ie gannon. So people criticizing quinn, while berating those critical of TT are laughably hypocritical.

  • Mockdrafthq.com

    $6 million is too much to pay to a player the coach is never going to use.

  • jdkchem

    Orton helped get the Bears to the Playoffs and Elway helped get the Broncos to the playoffs in their rookie seasons.

  • herc_rock

    Yeah, he's got a $.286M+ roster bonus coming in like two weeks. $1.62M  base.

  • herc_rock

    As much as I'd like to see them cut him.  The backlash from the “fans” would be HEE-YOUGE.  

    Remember all those goons who said they'd stop watching the Donks or buying merch if they ever cut or traded Tebow?  Hilarious!

  • VegasBronco

    If the Bronco FO leaves Tim Tebow on the roster at 3rd QB for a guaranteed 7.6 million then we MUST question their business knowledge. Explain to the other 49 players that a player that makes much more than they do for doing nothing. Doom, Champ, and KO make more.

  • JK

    All you Tebow haters know how to do is call people names — you make my point, only 3 games but a 82 rating certainly deserves 10 more starts then make a call.  I know I won't mind sacrificing all the playoff games we've enjoyed with Orton to give Tebow a chance.

  • herc_rock

    hatorz!!1!!11

  • http://ehalseymiles.com E. Halsey Miles

    Tebow hasn't proved anything in the NFL. You can't logically accuse Hoge of being irrational and saying Tebow has proved anything. What he did in Florida is irrelevant. The Broncos aren't the Gators, and the NFL is a different game than NCAA.

    Tebow benefits from riding the pine and having some time to get used to the game. Maybe he'll be a quality NFL quarterback later. Then again, maybe not. We won't know until he's got 8-16 real games under his belt. Anything else is just speculation and hope.

  • JK

    Valid point although I think the Chicago defense carried the whole load there.

  • http://ehalseymiles.com E. Halsey Miles

    Franchise QB “of the future” can do that, for a year or two. It's called investment. Which is another word for gambling, only less vilified by moralists.

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    1. I agree with you… 2. His name is VegasBronco. Dude knows about gambling.

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    As E. Halsey said before, it can be worth the investment, letting a first round quarterback cash a paycheck on the bench even for several years. See Rodgers, Aaron.

    The Broncos aren't strapped for cash, and they like Tebow. I'd be floored if they cut him.

  • King

    “you can't logically accuse Hoge of being irrational”

    Sure you can.  Been watching him for years.  His vitriol directed at Tebow if off the charts. 

    A blind man can see it.

  • King

    He was wrong about Aaron Rodgers.  And that's just off the top of my head.

  • King

    Calling my Broncos the “Donks” proves you are a Bronco-hating troll.  This isn't the Raiders blog.

  • King

    Too bad he doesn't know about investing.  Gambling is known as the “stupid tax”.  lmao

  • anthony33

    I don't know, as does anyone else, what Tebow will become in terms of an NFL QB.   I do know this… if Orton is the answer this year because Quinn and Tebow didn't practice better than him, then we're in big trouble.

    You know what you have in Orton. A front runner that does fine when everything is going well, but as soon as something breaks down he is a complete disaster.  We KNOW that. 

    Quinn… still unproven and has not stepped up enough to surpass Orton.  That in itself if a problem.

    Tebow… he's a die hard competitor that works harder than anyone.  Is he ready to start… no.  This summer was a disaster for him to not be able to refine his game under Bronco coaching.

    All that being said:
    I say start Tebow and find out now what you have rather the cut him (which is utterly ridiculous) or ride the bench.  While it would be a good learning experience to sit another year, you need to fine out what you actualy have in him before next years draft. 
    Orton IS NOT the answer, nor is Quinn. 

    However, it won't happen because Fox, and rightfully so, has to put the current best 22 on the field or he will lose the trust of his players.   Tough spot… 2 so-so QB's and 1 “who knows”.  I too am tired of hearing about it.

  • herc_rock
  • herc_rock

    The only thing I can find on that is Hoge blasting him before the draft. 

    Remember Aaron Rodgers sitting in the green room as he slid and slid and slid down the board?  Most teams weren't sold on Rodgers coming out.      I'm not defending Hoge on everything, but the two things he's really known for, VY and Tebow, he's been spot on.

  • anthony33

    How can you say he is spot on with Tebow???  The man has only played four games!!!

  • herc_rock

    I guess I have to add “in my opinion” to the end of everything? 

    I could call a bunch of conjecture and opinion “fact” like most of the people on here.

  • 12508

    Third string is bad. No matter how you slice it. If Tebow was ready or even close he would not sit behind Quinn. Fox has no reason to hate on Tebow. Tim must just be awful and that's that. Thank again McDumass and Xanders. Again I must ask the question. What the he'll is Xanders still doing in the bldg?

  • flbronc

    salary floor.  if there arent other people we're willing to sign for high dollars we have to keep him to meet the league requirements. 

    but i dont think they are ready to give up on him anyway quite yet.

  • Gunga LaGunga

    Hmmm…

    A rookie season with a flash of promise as a starter (take your pick: a 10-5 record with a 59.7 passer rating for a playoff team or a 1-2 record with a 82.1 passer rating for a non-playoff team). The next year the same QB relegated to 3rd string.

    Orton seems to have overcome his 3rd string benching, and no one had to design an offense to suit his limitations as a game manager with “below average arm strength and below average athleticism” (http://bit.ly/pGvxnc).

    Is Tebow not up to the same challenge? I don't see why he shouldn't be (and he probably is). More accurately, don't his supporters think he's up for the challenge? It's like there's an apocalypse coming or something.

  • Sirfiver

    Schadenfreude, plain and simple.  Tebow making millions without having proved himself rankles losers like Hoge.  Wishing the worst for him is the best he can do.

  • Kellyleephipps

    Here's a guy named Tebow who kicked college football's arse, arguably one of the greatest players of all time.  He can have his fake religion…but I respect that we won't have any off-field issues with him.  But his inner fire for winning is amazing!  With that kind of passion and exciting Elway-esque spontaneous play at a position that has long been bereft of leadership and that we all yearn for, I would start him just to watch what happens!  If Orton gets us to the playoffs and falls down on third down in the clutch, I'm going to scream!  All we Tebow supporters can do is kick back and hope Orlando Franklin takes his time learning to pass block, so that Orton gets kicked to the curb quick.  This is the first time in thirty years of being a Bronco fan that I ever saw injury as the solution to our QB ailments.  I like Orton, he is the best chance of us winning now…but I'd rather lose with fire and passion and excitement than watch him fail AGAIN..

  • BB Fan

    I agree 100 percent.  Tebow is not a QB.  If he can catch a ball, he might make a great TE.  We all know he is a decent runner, and he has the build for a TE…  They need to start grooming him for that position.  I think he is a great person, and he has an outstanding attitude.  Not a QB though.

  • Battleface2003

    rt now im made at broncos org. for not letting tebow start, i think, his heart and passion for the game is greater than ortons and in crunch time i thing  tebow will be better, and he is the number one sell jersery, its sad the way he is being done.  they were gonna trade orton.

  • Z7BEULAH

    I agree.  Fox & Elway better remember that Orton led us to our worst year ever and has taken all the fun out of watching the Broncos.  Tebow is fun and can win more than four games.  All I remember of last year is Orton falling to the ground as soon as anyone got close to him.

  • King

    Thank you for admitting I was right about Aaron Rodgers. 

  • King

    Nah, not a “term of endearment” when Raiders fans call us the “Donks.”

    Nice try though.

  • WhidbeyBronco

    You ain't kidding!! I'm so sick of the Tebow fans that I almost forget how much I hope the kid makes it in a year or two!!

  • WhidbeyBronco

    Merril H was a starter and a superbowl winner.

    Loser?

  • WhidbeyBronco

    awww

  • WhidbeyBronco

    exactly!

  • WhidbeyBronco

    agreed on all of the above. The new 3rd QB rule could make it interesting.

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