Tebow or Manning; there can only be one?

In a perfect world Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning would share bunk beds in John Elway’s basement and then draw up plays over a bowl of Wheaties in the morning.

Despite the probable likelihood of that happening, we are faced with reality.

People, most importantly the Broncos front office which includes John Elway, John Fox and Brian Xanders, must choose: Tebow? Or Manning? Or can the Mile High City succinctly survive with both?

Manning is arguably the best quarterback ever to go under center. He has Super Bowl wins, NFL Most Valuable Player Awards, and a knowledge of the game that surpasses even some of the coaches that surround him. He left Indianapolis in better condition than when he arrived; he torched defenses and they even renamed a hospital in his honor.

But Manning is damaged goods. He was forced to sit out the entire year in 2011 with a back injury, and there is no assurance that he’s back to the old “Peyton”.

Tebow is the “Never say die” kid. He inspires others with his impeccable but sometimes improbably will to win. He makes mistakes, he gets better and in a matter of a couple weeks he makes a city believe. He’s controversial, in a good way, and he drives debate like nobody else in the sports world.

But Tebow isn’t prototypical. His throwing motion has been dissected more frugally than a frog in a middle school science class. He has the intangibles, but his ability to take that next step as a quarterback is still an unknown

Can they survive together? Yes, if anything is true about whom they are as people and what they strive to be as football players, then that is the only answer.

But will they get the chance, and will their fans allow it?

Tebow would cherish the opportunity, and would gladly take a backseat to Peyton to take in the veterans ways. He’ll get more tips than a kind waiter with a camera phone. Manning could fall into good graces with the Broncos faithful by winning game and taking the young quarterback under his wing.

Yet, no matter how they function there will always be a divide. The media will pit “Good versus Good”, a game that nobody can win. The fans have already chosen sides, and there is no going back on it now.

Manning or Tebow? Tebow or Manning? There can only be one.