Elway Says Tebow Is Denver’s Starter

Added on Jan 17, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

In an effort to halt any questions regarding Denver’s quarterback situation in 2012, team executive John Elway has declared Tim Tebow the starter entering training camp. Tebow, who was both ballyhooed and maligned during the season, guided the Broncos to a surprising AFC West title and a Wild Card upset of the defending AFC champion Steelers before being eliminated on Saturday night by the Patriots.

Elway knows Tebow is hardly a finished product, but he’s hopeful the ex-Gator will develop into a franchise quarterback.

“Well, I think Tim’s earned the right to be the starting quarterback going into training camp next year. I think he made some good strides this year,” Elway said. “He obviously played very well against Pittsburgh (in the wild-card playoff round) and played very well in a lot of football games.”

Considering the Broncos traded away former starter Kyle Orton and have no one else of note on the roster, they have no choice but to roll with Tebow, for better or worse. Elway plans to work closely with the raw signal-caller to improve his passing skills, but it remains to be seen if it will make a difference.

Tebow’s throwing motion and accuracy have been problems since he was drafted. He completed less than 50% of his passes in 2011 and eclipsed 20 completions only once in 11 starts. Those numbers are terrible for a third-stringer, let alone a starter.

Forty-yard bombs will only go so far. Until Tebow proves he can make precise short and intermediate throws on a consistent basis, defenses will be able to attack his weaknesses. His running ability obviously adds an extra dimension, but spread-option offenses aren’t sustainable at the professional level.

In a pass first league, teams must be capable of airing it out to win. Unless Tebow makes a miraculous transformation, he doesn’t fit the mold of the modern-day quarterback. Then again, miracles seem to be the thing he does best.

Source: NFL.com