On a Sunday afternoon where the Denver Broncos’ passing offensive produced an abysmal 34 yards at halftime, the team sent quarterback Kyle Orton to the bench in favor of former first-round pick Tim Tebow. The outcome was a delayed half-miracle, where the team came from behind 26-10 only to fall 30 yards short with one second to play, losing 29-24 to San Diego.
The key to Tebow’s performance isn’t whether or not he looked comfortable as a professional quarterback; rather, it’s the fact that he brought the Broncos back from down 16 points and almost won the game even after a costly penalty resulted in an additional Chargers field goal.
In this case, as with horseshoes, “almost does count.” Tebow needs to start at quarterback for the Broncos for the foreseeable future. If not, fans should utilize their right to boycott.
The team’s season could have spiraled further out of control after head coach John Fox replaced Orton with Tebow; however, it didn’t, and the young quarterback weathered the storm, displaying his innate ability to make plays.
Moreover, unlike Orton, the former Heisman Trophy and National Championship winner is a natural-born leader.
I am done hearing from players in the organization complaining about fans demanding Tebow over Orton. We all saw it Sunday-Tebow gives the team energy and Orton doesn’t. The situation Denver’s staff faces in the bye weeks is a simple one; move Tebow in as the starting quarterback.
This was an inevitable move for the Fox regime to make. And now, after Tebow scored on a 12-yard touchdown run and threw a 28-year screen pass touchdown, it is a no-brainer decision.
The fan base needs to be satisfied and this heavily publicized issue has accelerated to its apex. Fox must make a choice. Fortunately for him, he has the extra week, but he should just make the move as soon as possible.
“I think Tim Tebow sparked the team today,” said Fox after the game. “At this point, we have a bye week and we will have discussions about our offense during the bye week.”
There was something special in Sunday’s late rally, and it was because the team finally had a leader gutsy enough to pull off a come-from-behind attempt that displayed some ferocity and passion. It’s been a while since we’ve seen it, but we must trust that it is here to stay. Tebow may not be for the future, but that’s not important as the team enters the bye week in last place of its division.
With winless Miami on the schedule next, the second win of the season seems plausible for a team that has actually played competitively so far this season.
It’s fate for Tebow’s final take over of Orton to begin in his native state of Florida. After all, there is already a celebration awaiting him when the team arrives for Oct. 23’s game. The Dolphins are honoring the national champion Florida Gators that Tebow once led.
If that’s not a sign, then I don’t know what is.
