It would be wise for coach Josh McDaniels to prepare his answers now, because for every incomplete pass, interception, punt or ugly loss this season, Broncos fans will demand that he change his starting quarterback.
That’s the consequence of trading for a former first-round draft pick, Brady Quinn, and using a first-round pick to draft Tim Tebow. They join a depth chart led by veteran Kyle Orton, who passed for 3,802 yards last year — the sixth-highest season total in franchise history.
Such is life in the quarterback circus that is the NFL, and the Broncos have the potential to be a three-ring affair at the position.
Denver’s coaches have spent part of the offseason figuring ways to get Tebow on the field as a spot player in the team’s version of the wildcat formation, but the high-profile rookie from Florida still has plenty of work to do before he is ready to run an NFL offense full time.
Most personnel executives in the NFL believe Orton gives the Broncos their best chance to win. But it’s likely this season will provide a never-ending public discourse of when and why somebody else should take his place.
Tim Tebow
Height: 6-3
Weight: 245
Age: 22
Contract status: Unsigned rookie.
Strength: High-character player who starred at the highest level of college football.
Weakness: Extended delivery and low release point, especially under stress, could impact his accuracy.
Career highlight: Heisman Trophy winner and helped Florida win two national championships.
Brady Quinn
Height: 6-3
Weight: 235
Age: 25
Contract status: Signed through 2011 in his original five-year, $9.2 million (excluding escalators) deal.
Strength: Has the measurables of an NFL quarterback. Still considered to have a big upside.
Weakness: Confidence and mechanics took a beating in his tumultuous ride in Cleveland.
Career highlight: His best NFL game — 304 yards passing, four touchdowns — came in a loss to the lowly Lions in 2009.
Kyle Orton
Height: 6-feet-4
Weight: 225 pounds
Age: 27
Contract status: Signed one-year tender for the 2010 season, worth $2.621 million, as a restricted free agent.
Strength: Smart, plays the percentages and wins (29-19 in career starts).
Weakness: Rarely risks attempting a game-changing play, either because he has been told not to or he doesn’t believe the reward is worth the risk.
Career highlight: Led the Bears to a division title as a rookie in 2005. Was a backup on the Bears’ NFC championship team in 2006.
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
Players of particular interest at training camp:
Kyle Orton, Brady Quinn, Tim Tebow
Quarterbacks
Detecting a theme? Yes, it’s the QBs. Get used to it, because it’s inescapable for this team. In an odd confluence of events, the Broncos’ top draw at Dove Valley for training camp will be their No. 3 quarterback. Such is the power of Tebow, and such is the dilemma for the Broncos as they try to balance their need for victories playing a steady veteran such as Orton with their desire to have Tebow be the face of the franchise.
Jamal Williams
Nose tackle
If the Broncos can keep Williams healthy, he will have a big impact on their ability to play a 3-4 defense more effectively. The scheme starts at nose tackle — and for a team that got steamrolled down the stretch in 2009, there will be no bigger need to fill.
Jabar Gaffney
Wide receiver
The Broncos traded a wide receiver with three 100-catch seasons (Brandon Marshall) and drafted a project (Georgia Tech’s Demaryius Thomas) in the first round to cultivate. That leaves other wideouts, such as Gaffney, Eddie Royal and Brandon Lloyd, to fill in the gaps. McDaniels is partial to Gaffney, who has played in this offensive system the longest.
D.J. Williams
Linebacker
The Broncos released their third-leading tackler in 2009 — inside linebacker Andra Davis — during their defensive makeover of the front seven. That puts more pressure on Williams entering his seventh NFL season. He has had three 100-tackle seasons, but the Broncos need more impact plays and forced turnovers from the former first-round pick.
Ryan Clady
Offensive tackle
A healthy Clady is one of Denver’s most important offensive players. His recovery from an offseason knee injury suffered playing basketball will be closely monitored during training camp. The Broncos’ offensive line has two other potential starters returning from major surgeries — Ryan Harris (foot) and Russ Hochstein (knee). Without Clady in the lineup, the Broncos would have to adjust their offensive scheme.
2010 DRAFT CLASS
Demaryius Thomas
Wide receiver
Height: 6-feet-3
Weight: 229 pounds
College: Georgia Tech
Drafted: First round, 22nd overall pick
FYI: Played in a triple-option offense for the Yellow Jackets. Averaged an eye-popping 25.1 yards per catch as a junior in 2009 and had 46 catches on a team with no other player totaling more than eight.
Outlook: Still recovering from fractured foot. Basically a two-route receiver who must expand his repertoire to succeed in the NFL.
Tim Tebow
Quarterback
Height: 6-3
Weight: 245
College: Florida
Drafted: First round, 25th overall
FYI: Three-year starter for the Gators. Set five NCAA, 14 Southeastern Conference and 28 Florida records during his All-America career. Was the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner as a sophomore. His SEC records include 57 rushing touchdowns.
Outlook: Delivery needs work to improve accuracy, but he figures to get playing time this year as a run-pass option in the Broncos’ version of the wildcat formation.
Zane Beadles
Guard, offensive tackle
Height: 6-4
Weight: 305
College: Utah
Drafted: Second round, 45th overall
FYI: Four-year starter who played in 51 games for the Utes. Started 12 games at left guard and 38 at left tackle. Intelligent player — he has a degree in mechanical engineering — who makes few mistakes.
Outlook: Received a look at tackle in offseason workouts but likely will be a guard in Denver’s offense over the long haul.
J.D. Walton
Center
Height: 6-3
Weight: 305
College: Baylor
Drafted: Third round, 80th overall
FYI: Started the last 36 games of his college career after transferring from Arizona State. Power player who has a nasty streak. Finishes strong once he locks on to a defensive player. NFL scouts liked his performance against Nebraska star Ndamukong Suh.
Outlook: Unless a surprise develops in training camp, he figures to be Denver’s starting center when the season opens Sept. 12 at Jacksonville.
Eric Decker
Wide receiver
Height: 6-2
Weight: 215
College: Minnesota
Drafted: Third round, 87th overall
FYI: Was a 1,000-yard receiver as a junior for the Gophers. Suffered a season-ending foot injury as a senior in 2009. Strong and tough. Consistently gets to the ball in a crowd. The Brewers selected him in the 38th round of the 2008 baseball draft.
Outlook: Could get playing time this year if he continues to recover from his foot injury at his current pace.
Perrish Cox
Cornerback
Height: 6-0
Weight: 195
College: Oklahoma State
Drafted: Fifth round, 137th overall
FYI: Oklahoma State coaches suspended him for the Cowboys’ bowl game last season and did not let him participate in the school’s pro-day workouts. Some teams were put off by his off-the-field troubles, but the Broncos say they did their homework. He started 36 games for Oklahoma State.
Outlook: Figures to get on the field as a punt returner. Will have to beat out Nate Jones and Alphonso Smith for playing time as the nickel back.
Eric Olsen
Guard, center
Height: 6-4
Weight: 305
College: Notre Dame
Drafted: Sixth round, 183rd overall
FYI: Started at guard and center for the Fighting Irish. Understands what Josh McDaniels is looking for because he played in a similar offense at Notre Dame. A former star lacrosse player who scored 50 goals as a high school junior.
Outlook: Could push for playing time at guard if Russ Hochstein (knee injury) isn’t full speed by the time the season begins.
Syd’Quan Thompson
Cornerback
Height: 5-9
Weight: 187
College: California
Drafted: Seventh rd., 225th overall
FYI: Didn’t have the workout numbers of other prospects at his position, but he made 52 starts for the Bears. That shows he knows how to get on the field and stay there. Set a Cal record with 36 pass breakups in his career.
Outlook: Smart player with good football instincts. Will do the right things, including on special teams, and will push himself up the depth chart.
Jammie Kirlew
Linebacker
Height: 6-3
Weight: 264
College: Indiana
Drafted: Seventh rd., 232nd overall
FYI: Had 26 sacks and forced nine fumbles in his career with the Hoosiers, primarily as a defensive end. High-character player who has done plenty of good work off the field. But his speed (5.05 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine) may be an issue.
Outlook: Will have to catch the Broncos’ attention on special teams to make the roster while he adapts to a position switch to outside linebacker.
Key Additions
Jamal Williams
Nose tackle
A tough veteran who could be a strong two-down player for the Broncos in the middle of the defense. But the concern is that after 12 seasons at one of the high- impact positions on the field, he won’t be able to stay in the lineup.
Justin Bannan
Defensive end
A role player with Baltimore, but the Broncos paid him like a longtime starter with a Pro Bowl or two on his resume. If they made the right call, the CU product should add toughness to a defense that needs to be more stout upfront.
Nate Jones
Cornerback
Denver’s nickel back during the offseason but also can play safety and is a quality player on special teams. He’s one of three former Dolphins in the Broncos’ secondary.
Demaryius Thomas
Wide receiver
Broncos need to balance what Thomas is comfortable doing and what they need from the rookie on the outside, which for this first-round pick is being a big-play guy. He played in a triple-option offense at Georgia Tech.
Akin Ayodele
Linebacker
Made at least 70 tackles in six of his previous eight seasons in the NFL and understands how the 3-4 defense works.
Key Losses
Brandon Marshall
Wide receiver
The departure of Marshall created a big hole in an offense that had plenty of trouble in short-yardage and red-zone situations last season. Marshall had 10 of Denver’s 21 touchdown catches in 2009.
Andra Davis
Linebacker
Davis got the boot in the makeover of Denver’s defense, but he was the Broncos’ third-leading tackler last season.
Tony Scheffler
Tight end
Another player who didn’t see eye to eye with coach Josh McDaniels and was shipped out. Scheffler was a difficult matchup for opposing defenses, but McDaniels prefers to work his wide receivers into the passing game.
Casey Wiegmann
Center
Wiegmann didn’t fit what the Broncos do on offense these days, with McDaniels looking to get more physical upfront. Wiegmann, who wasn’t re-signed, returned to Kansas City.
Vonnie Holliday
Defensive end
With the Marshall trade and the drafting of Tim Tebow, it was easy to lose track of some departing Broncos. Holliday was only a spot player in 2009, but he ranked second on the team in sacks with five and forced two fumbles.
Camp facts
Admission: Practices at the team’s headquarters are free and open to the public. Gates open one hour before practice.
Parking: Parking is located on the west side of the practice fields and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Seating: There will be no bleachers, but fans will be able to stand and view the practices from selected areas.
Autographs: Players will be designated by position group (WRs, DLs, DBs, etc.) to sign autographs for fans after each practice on the west end of the practice fields.
Prohibited items: Cellphone usage including texting, lawn chairs, umbrellas and video cameras.
Permitted items: Cameras, soft-sided bags no larger than 12 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches and small quantities of food and nonalcoholic beverages. Nonalcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.
Practice schedule
Date … Morning … Afternoon/evening
Aug. 1 … 8:45-10:30 a.m. … 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Aug. 2 … No practice … 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Aug. 3 … 8:45-10:30 a.m. … 5:30-7:30 p.m. *
Aug. 4 … 8:45-10:30 a.m.* … 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Aug. 5 … No practice … 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Aug. 6 … 8:45-10:30 a.m. … 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Aug. 7 … 8:45-10:30 a.m.* … 6-8 p.m.**
Aug. 8 … No practice … 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Aug. 10 … No practice … 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Aug. 11 … 8:45-10:30 a.m. … 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Aug. 12 … No practice … 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Aug. 13 … 8:45-10:30 a.m. … 7-9 p.m.***
Aug. 15 … Denver at Cincinnati, 5 p.m.
Aug. 17 … No practice … 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Aug. 18 … 8:45-10:30 a.m. … 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Aug. 19 … 8:45-10:30 a.m.* … 5:30-7:30 p.m.
*Media only, not open to public
**At Invesco Field, free, open to public
