With Denver’s last-month acquisition of Brady Quinn and recent drafting of Tim Tebow, the Broncos’ quarterback bench seems to be looking better than ever. The fact that Kyle Orton and Tom Brandstater are still in tow means Josh McDaniels faces a tough decision: who will best lead the Mile-High team come fall?
Orton will likely be the go-to guy in reality, but who should start if the NFL were conducted like a beauty pageant with each quarterback receiving scores for appearance, personality, a special talent and answers to judges’ questions? Here’s a look at the possible breakdown.
Physical Appearance
Tom Brandstater has a winning smile, but he also has some stiff competition. Neither Brady Quinn nor Tim Tebow is likely to take a loss in this category without a fight. Brady has had time on his side compared to Tim, having had almost three more years–crucial years for the male species–to make the transition from cute kid to handsome man, but Tebow’s school-boy good looks are hard to ignore. With the audience vocalizing its mixed reactions, the judges score Brady Quinn on top and Tebow as a close second.
Personality
Although Brady’s dual degrees in political science and finance reveal a cool persona, there’s no downplaying Tim’s magnetic, larger-than-life personality. Respectfully, Kyle and Tom need not apply. Tim Tebow is the life of the party.
Talent
Earlier this year, Tebow proved he can act like himself for 30 seconds on camera. Orton knows how to grow a mean beard. Brandstater, having completed postgraduate work, can likely be considered the academic of the bunch. And, Quinn showed an uncanny ability to draw sympathy from even his toughest critics: who didn’t feel for the guy during the 2007 Draft? Tough call, but the judges have to go with their gut. Kyle Orton it is.
Answers to Judges’ Questions
Brady, talk to us about wanting to start for the Broncos. “I’ll put it this way, I think every quarterback on our roster wants to play.” Uh, huh. “Believe me, whether it’s Tom, Kyle, or myself, we’re all quarterbacks. We’re going to be team players first, but we all want to be out there playing” (9News).
Your thoughts, Kyle? “I think I can take my leadership to a whole new level.” Okay. “To have a great offense you’ve got to have a guy who demands it from everybody starting with himself. I’ve got to demand perfection from myself and I’m going to expect that from everybody else on our offense as well” (DenverPost).
How about you, Tim? Thoughts on starting? “That’s not even something I’m thinking about.” Oh? “What I’m thinking about is going in there and learning the offense, competing, working hard and being the first one in and last one to leave, showing them I love this and love what I do, and thank you so much for taking me and I’m not going to let you down” (9News).
Tom? Anything to add? Oh, I think we caught him at a bad time. Nevertheless, the judges have made their decision. Well done, Tim Tebow.
Behind-the-Scenes Tabulations Reveal a Winner
The judges are pleased to announce Brady Quinn as Mr. Photogenic, Tom Brandstater as Mr. Congeniality, Kyle Orton as a good guy, and Tim Tebow as this year’s Mr. Denver Broncos. Who’d you think it would be?
Sources:
“All Things Broncos Blog: Kyle Orton Speaks Strongly About Starting QB Job.” DenverPost.com.
Bill Williamson, “Handicapping Denver’s QB Race.” ESPN.com.
“Broncos Trade 3 Picks to Draft Tebow in First Round.” 9News.com.
“Quinn Makes it Clear He Wants to Start.” 9News.com.
“Tom Brandstater Profile.” GoBulldogs.com.
Wikipedia.org.
