This offseason, I had the privilege to speak at two Rotary Clubs, one in Golden, the other in Littleton.
I started both speeches by asking for a show of hands: Orton or Tebow?
Although there were a surprisingly high number of abstainers — it’s difficult to fathom there are people in Colorado who can carry on without carrying the Broncos’ quarterback debate — the Rotary Club in Golden voted roughly 13-2 in favor of Kyle Orton. The Littleton Rotarians were more emphatic, backing Orton by something like 15-0. The 15 is an estimate. I’m certain about the zero hands supporting Tim Tebow.
So Orton has the AARP vote. Take that young-looking billboard guy.
TebowMania/AntiTebow is so intense, the Broncos may now have the worst home-field advantage in the NFL. TebowMania/AntiTebow has the power to zap oxygen into 5,280 feet of altitude.
I’m not saying the Tebow backers are wrong. I’m not saying the Tebow critics are wrong. Fans have the right to feel anyway they want.
What I am saying is that collectively, the Broncos may now have the worst home crowd in the league.
Divided they stand.
“I don’t agree,” Broncos receiver Brandon Lloyd said. “Players have to play better. The fans aren’t going to stand up and cheer all doggone game when the team is giving up yards, and not running the ball and turning the ball over. The quarterback and the head coach get the brunt of all the bad stuff. That’s the nature of the industry.”
Yes, but TebowMania/AntiTebow is unlike anything the industry has ever seen.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Champ Bailey, the Broncos’ veteran cornerback.
It’s not just the passion of the debate, but its scope. Tebow has national critics, such as Merril Hoge, who are mean. The Tebow-backing billboard guy is from Kentucky, for cripes sake. His protest of Orton is mean.
I can see it happening today at Sports Authority Field at Mile High: Fans boo if Orton throws a third-down incompletion and the Broncos have to punt, and other fans yell, “Shut up and sit down” to the boo-birds.
This could get ugly.
The Broncos now have just two choices: Either Tebow is the Broncos’ starting quarterback in 2012 and Orton goes, or the Broncos win with Orton and get rid of Tebow before the 2012 season.
I used to think there was a third option: Win with Orton, and continue to develop Tebow. But now, even a winning Orton won’t make TebowMania/AntiTebow disappear.
That’s the worst part about all this: The Broncos have to lose for TebowMania to prevail.
There is no such division inside the Broncos’ building. The coaches and players are overwhelmingly supportive of Orton.
“It’s nothing against Tebow,” Lloyd said. “It’s nothing against Brady (Quinn). As players, we support the starting quarterback, and Orton is the starting quarterback.”
TebowMania presumes Orton’s teammates aren’t qualified to know what’s good for them. The Broncos are 1-9 in Orton’s last 10 starts, 5-18 in his last 23.
Given these numbers, the home crowd chants for Tebow are hardly irrational. If Orton’s teammates really want to support him, they had better start winning for him, starting today.
Otherwise, the AARP may have to rethink its position. John Elway, 51, and John Fox, 56, are members.
EYE ON
Michael Vick, QB, Eagles
What’s up: The former Falcons superstar returns to play in Atlanta for the second time since he was busted for dogfighting, first time as the starting quarterback.
Background: Vick was the sometimes spectacular — sometimes erratic — face of the Falcons’ franchise from the time he was their No. 1 overall draft pick in 2001 until he was prosecuted for his major role in a dogfighting ring. Vick served nearly two years in a federal prison before he was signed by the Eagles for the 2009 season. He spent most of that season on the bench, although he did come in late in a 34-7 win at Atlanta to throw two TD passes. He then had by far his best statistical season in 2010 and was named the NFL’s comeback player of the year.
Klis’ take: Really, there’s more pressure on Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan in this game than there is on Vick. The Falcons badly need Ryan to outplay Vick. And that won’t be easy given Vick’s play over the past year. Ryan was hailed as the superior alternative to Vick the past three seasons — but not so much in the 2011 calendar year. The Falcons are reeling, having lost six in a row — including postseason, preseason and regular-season games — since Jan. 2. Ryan, who is a very good quarterback despite limited mobility and arm strength, has not been able to overcome a suddenly inept Falcons defense. Vick’s success in Philly only intensifies the betrayal Falcons followers may feel for him. They’re counting on Ryan to be one point better than Vick today.
SPOTLIGHT
Shanahan starts
No one gets a team ready for the start of the season like Redskins and former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan. He won his fourth consecutive opener last week, and his teams have always started fast. Now he has to finish.
Season Team Start Finish
2001 Broncos 3-1 8-8
2002 Broncos 3-0 9-7
2003 Broncos 4-0 10-6
2004 Broncos 5-1 10-6
2005 Broncos 5-1 13-3
2006 Broncos 5-1 9-7
2007 Broncos 2-0 7-9
2008 Broncos 3-0 8-8
2010 Redskins 3-2 6-10
2011 Redskins 1-0 ?-?
ON THE HOT SEAT
QB of Cowboys
Who: Tony Romo, quarterback, Cowboys
When: 2 p.m. today at San Francisco
Why: Romo’s reputation for wilting in the clutch was enhanced last week in a 27-24 loss to the New York Jets. With 10 minutes left in the game, Romo had passed for two TDs and 309 yards and had no turnovers. He had first-and-goal at the 3 and a surprising 24-17 lead on the road against the defensive-strong Jets. At that point, Romo blew the game. He fumbled the ball away at the 2. He threw an interception. And he led the Cowboys to a 27-24 loss. Blow it one week, you are on the hot seat the next.
THREE UP
1. 49ers: Raise your hand if you think Jim Harbaugh is going to be a successful NFL coach.
2. Ravens: No matter how successful, Jim Harbaugh has a ways to go before he catches big brother John Harbaugh.
3. Texans: After humiliating Indy by building a 34-0 halftime lead, classy Gary Kubiak goes into four corners.
THREE DOWN
1. Falcons: Lost six straight since Jan. 2: Green Bay in playoffs, 0-4 in preseason, last week to Bears. Outscored by average of 16 points.
2. Chiefs: At least losses to Atlanta and Pittsburgh were on the road against tough teams. K.C. lost at home to Bills.
3. Rams: Stan Kroenke-Josh McDaniels’ team got whipped by 18 at home and lost RB Steven Jackson to quad strain.
