Peyton's day

Peyton Manning is a Bronco. This day is his.

One of the greatest quarterbacks of all time will now strap it up in the Mile High City after a year that has been nothing but trouble. He was forced to sit on the sidelines and watch his team; his city fall to indelible lows.  He withered, with his mind as sharp as ever, getting replaced by someone who had yet to take a snap in a professional game.

Manning deserves this day all to himself. It’s a pen and paper, and a chance finally to play football.

The ex-Colt said everything everyone wanted to hear in the press conference. The feed streamed live across the Internet and the Twitter-verse chimed his quotes in unison.

He chose Denver the way he studies defenses, with pinpoint accuracy. He weighed his options and found a home. He made his decision, on his own, from the comfort of his own impeccable mind, and not a minute to late.

Manning apologized for taking so long, he hates being in the spotlight. But he should soak it all in. All of it, including the 300-plus days of sunshine that are coming his way.

It’s not Tuesday, it’s his first true Sunday as number-18 for the Denver Broncos. 

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.

Tebow is thankful for Manning in Denver

As the Denver Broncos prepare to sign one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time, Peyton Manning, there is a lot of uncertainty remaining in the Mile High City.

What about Tim Tebow? How can you do such a thing to a player that led the team to the playoffs, and even past the Pittsburgh Steelers in one of the most dramatic wins in this cities history?

Those would be the fans yelling, screaming and posting billboards indirectly inquiring with Broncos executives about their decisions.

But, as surely as a man drops to his knee in praise of a higher being, and thus making others flock, follow, and imitate such a gesture, he is without a doubt the one most thankful for this pickup.

He’ll get more tips than a kind waiter with a camera phone.

Peyton Manning, by all reports, is great person, leader and teacher. His stadium and hospital in Indianapolis and the fans of the Colts that had to see him walk away are a testament. He’s a Southern boy, with a Midwestern attitude and a work ethic like nobody who’s ever played.

Tebow isn’t posting his house for sale, he’s adding an extra guest bedroom.

The Broncos current quarterback finds pleasure in getting better and winning. And who better to learn from. Taking a backseat; wouldn’t be. He’d be riding shotgun with Moonlight Graham on his way to a cornfield in Iowa.

Tebow is no Manning; and Manning is no Tebow.

The former Colts quarterback won’t start a worldwide statue phenomenon like his, now predecessor. But “Tebow-ing” does kind of like a victory formation kneel down; a prayer answered and a win for everyone involved.

Broncos Pro Bowlers 2012

I've been critical over the years of All-Star events. They have strived for meaning and relevance in the sports world, some which has come due to the overindulgences of some commissioners. They are entertainment, much the same way a reality show is presented as real.

Elvis Dumervil, Champ Bailey and Von Miller were selected to the 2012 Pro Bowl as the sole Broncos nominees. But other than that there is little to talk about. These players do represent the long tenured pro, the resurgence of an old face and the newest thing in a commonly over-proclaimed 'Orange Crush' defense.

Yet, if we continue to dive into these selections we see a disturbing trend. People outside of Denver, no matter how much they can't help but talk about it on ESPN, still don't have faith in Tim Tebow and the Broncos.

Tebow will get to Honolulu, but only because he will fill in as an alternate. So outside of the Mile High City, people believe that the defense is responsible for the resurgence of the Broncos. And while this is partly true, the defense is only one of several key components to their success. But, as much as the people who sit watching the Broncos think it to be true, there is some discrepancy about who is causing the up coming team that might represent the AFC West.

Like 'Aloha' these choices, votes by fans have multiple meanings that could show people's true feelings about the Broncos.

Tebow tops the Billboard Charts

A bye week isn’t the worst thing that can happen to Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos.

He’s a rockstar. He’s an instant classic.

The Broncos need help in a plethora of positions. They couldn’t stop a sludge mud-slide. The offense is as crisp as a waterlogged graham cracker. But the orange smush fans are continually convinced that Tebow will solve all the debacles.  

And what’s worse is that Broncos fans think they actually initiated it.

A billboard, the constant ‘We want Tebow’ chants and an overabundance of #15 jerseys scattered across the Denver-metro area on any given Sunday had no influence on John Fox’s decision to change quarterback. They were as empty as a single caloried boba.

Tebow jumped up in the depth charts. His groupees follow him religiously, but hey, so is he. We all sing his praises.

Tebow is #1 on the billboards, the popularity charts and the depth chart; but that billed-board had nothing to do with it.

Tebow Time in Denver

I eat tacos and you’ll catch me rolling my ‘r’s.

How, in your right mind, can you not be captivated by Tim Tebow? He has done more than anyone could ask. He is the one athlete that hype could not contain. He broke the rules, in the most benevolent and true way Tebow could.

The Denver Broncos are Timmy’s team.

Tebow can’t dice up a defense the way any normal quarterback would, but Tebow isn’t normal. He has this knack to find a way to will his team to victory. And don’t think for one second that Tebow coming into the game at half and the defense only allowing two field goals after intermission is a coincidence.

In the end, the Tebow and the Broncos just didn’t have enough time to make their comeback. They fell to San Diego by five, 29-24, but it felt like a win to many of the people that were in attendance.

Many orange-blooded fans were hot about not have him playing already this season. And they are finally getting what they want; todos Tim Tebow.

He may not be the solution to the Broncos problems. He may not win a Super Bowl. But this is his chance to shine. People believe in him, his teammates are already behind him, and he’s as ready as he’ll ever be. Right now.

It’s not Tuesday yet (John Fox is rumored to announce the takeover of #15 as the starting quarterback as soon as tomorrow), but it’s most definitely Tebow Time.

Second String is Best For Tim Tebow

To some, the orange jersey Tim Tebow dons is awfully reminiscent of a jailbird. He’s stuck behind steel bars and a sole bearded man. His fans, ‘The Tebots’, thinks the starter in front of him is the 8th Deadly Sin; he’s undeniably and infinitively in the way of one man’s destiny.

 
But this could be the best thing that happened to Tebow, and his chorus of followers.

In two weeks of camp he looks shaky, at best, in throwing drills. He appears wary in 7-on-7. And in simulated game situations he’s Mr. Magoo.

Tebow lives for games. When the lights turn on, in the heat of the moment, he turns into a different person. A man willing his team in every aspect he can control

John Fox told the media earlier this week that the starters will play the first 12-15 snaps against the Cowboy. They’ll put on their NFL stipulated hats quicker than a bald man at the beach. Tebow won’t have time to finish his clipboard word search (“Ugh, I can’t find Tarkenton”), and he’ll be in the game before the end of the opening quarter.

An NFL game averages 130 snaps for both teams; that means 60-70 plays apiece. So the starter, Kyle Orton, is only going to play the first few and John Fox has probably seen enough of inept quarterbacks all of last year in Carolina so Brady Quinn won’t get many throws.

So it’s Tim Tebow’s time to shine. He’s going to play the majority of the game, and the more he’s on the field the better he is going to get.

It may not be the door he was originally hoping for in 2011, but it IS a door and it’s definitely AJAR.

Is it Tebow Time yet?

This is Tim Tebow's team, but is it Tim Tebow's time?

There was only one bright orange jersey at the center of the team huddle at the first day of Broncos training camp. Denver's #15 accepts this role, not as a sign of professional football egotism or everyday quarterback burden, but as the innate self-characteristic of his being on a team.


But the Broncos apparent starting quarterback, the one that is taking the first-team snaps, and is also rumor to be on his way out, is Kyle Orton. 

Tim Tebow is a veteran of the league. He's been apart of the Broncos for 462 whole days and this is undoubtedly his team. And he's now the Napoleon Bonaparte of Broncos Country. 


Tim heard cheers when he connected with Eric Decker on a 5 yard slant pattern. People clapped when he tossed the ball to Lance Ball on a checked down. Broncos fans even were smiling when Tebow spelled his name correctly in the autograph session after camp. 


Kyle Orton, on the other hand, can't buy a vowel other than 'O'. People were unhappy with him over anything he did. Perfect spiral, "B**!" Precise and fundamental 7-step drop, "B**!"

In his first year as head coach John Fox he may have to make the toughest decision of his, what hopes to be, long tenure here in Denver. Kyle Orton is far and away the better choice (this fact is not debatable, no matter how hard you want to fight it) to start for the Broncos and give them a legitimate chance to win. Tim Tebow is far and away the fan favorite, and the Broncos quarterback for many years to come. 


As Napoleon once spoke, "Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide." 
If you're Coach Fox who do you choose. Tim Tebow or Kyle Orton?