Kyle Orton Released: What It Means for Tim Tebow's Future

In what is a bit of a shocking move considering that we're entering Week 12 of the NFL season, Kyle Orton has been released by the Denver Broncos.

There were no rumors or leaked information leading up to the release that led people to expect Kyle Orton would be released on Nov. 22, 2011.

There are fans out there of teams such as the Chicago Bears (which would be a good fit for Orton) who would openly welcome Orton with open arms considering their current quarterback situation.

This article is not going to cover "how Orton's release impacts playoff bubble teams in the NFL."

This article is about the Denver Broncos and what it means to Tim Tebow and the team's future quarterback situation.

You wanna know what it means to the Denver Broncos and Tebow's future heading into next season?

Absolutely nothing.

All this assures is that Orton won't be a Denver Bronco in 2012. That is not a shock because his contract was up after 2011, and it was all but set in stone that he wouldn't be a Bronco next season considering his demotion this season after leading the NFL in interceptions through five games started.

 

 

This is sending a message to Tebow that this is his team. For now.

For the rest of the 2011 season, it is all but assured that Tebow will be the Broncos' starting quarterback. Brady Quinn will be an adequate backup, because despite being a first-round bust, he has still started a few games in his five years in the NFL.

In all likelihood, he won't ever have to start this year and the only time he'll have to come in at quarterback is if Tebow suffers an injury.

Besides the fact that this is a shock because the Broncos have six games left and they might as well have paid the rest of Orton's $9 million salary just in case of a Tebow injury in the midst of the playoff hunt, this is not a message of confidence to Tebow in 2012.

It is a message of confidence to Tebow in 2011.

The John Elway regime is basically saying, "We're rolling the dice with you the rest of the 2011 season. Anything past that is not guaranteed."

I'm sure many have heard about what Elway had to say on a radio show the other day, when he was non-committal to Tebow past 2011.

“I think obviously [Tim Tebow] is making progress week in and week out,” Elway continued, “When you look at our third down numbers, those have to improve. I mean, that’s the bottom line. We can’t go 3-for-13 and win a world championship. Those are the type of things we have to keep improving.”

 

I'm a big supporter of Tebow, but I agree with Elway's stance on this issue.

If Elway just nonstop applauds Tebow, that will undoubtedly make Tebow a bit complacent.

Part of what makes athletes so great at what they do is mental drive. I would go so far as to say it's most of what makes an athlete so great.

Michael Jordan was determined for years to become the best player in the NBA after not making his high school basketball team. Kobe Bryant has been determined for years to be the best player of all time by accumulating the most rings.

What drives Tebow, other than his faith, is all of the naysayers.

Some people may disagree with this opinion, because it's coming from the front office guy and it may discourage Tebow.

It shouldn't discourage Tebow. This isn't Elway saying "he sucks." I had a problem with John Fox saying something along the lines of  "Tebow would suck in any other offense."

That is simply unacceptable.

However, Elway is simply not committing to Tebow as his starting QB in 2012. That's fine by me. Tebow has been great thus far at running the offense and he has given us a 5-5 record and made us playoff contenders through 10 games of the season.

There are still six games left and we'll see how Tebow and the Broncos play together. If he plays like he has through this 4-1 stretch and is able to lead the Broncos to the playoffs, then sure, we can commit to the guy as our starting QB in 2012.

But, there are still six games left in the 2011 season. Let's just see how it goes for the rest of the year before we anoint Tebow as the default starter for 2012. Motivate him more. Fuel his fire. That is how you get the best out of athletes. That is how you fuel greatness.

So what does the Orton trade mean for Tebow?

It means he's the starter for the 2011 season. That is all.

Who starts at quarterback for the Denver Broncos in 2012 will be determined in the next six games.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/953250-kyle-orton-released-what-it-means-for-tim-tebows-future

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