The Fifth Down: It's Tebow Time, and John Fox Can't Lose

Judy Battista on Tim Tebow Time:

Broncos Coach John Fox bowed to the inevitable, naming Tim Tebow his starting quarterback over Kyle Orton. Because the Broncos have a bye Sunday, Tebow has two weeks to prepare for his first start. It will come in Florida, where he became an object of fan obsession; the Broncos play the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 23. The Dolphins had previously scheduled for that day a celebration of the Florida Gators team that Tebow led to the national title in the 2008 season.

The switch to Tebow should delight Broncos fans, who have clamored for him — some have paid thousands of dollars for billboards imploring Fox to start him — but it puts the Broncos’ new coaching staff and front office in an odd spot. During the lockout, they were prepared to turn the team over to Tebow and trade Orton, with the Dolphins the most likely destination.

Woody Paige of The Denver Post said Tebow’s success would hinge on his coaches:

As we sat at a picnic table at Dove Valley, Fox emphatically stated that he — not John Elway and not Pat Bowlen — made the decision to promote Tebow to No. 1, “just as I did Sunday,” when the coach changed his quarterbacks at halftime. “It was a gut reaction,” Fox said.

Extra point It seems doubtful that Fox relied purely on gut instinct. This decision is too important for the franchise. In a way, though, Fox is in a no-lose situation. If Tebow succeeds, the Broncos will prosper, and that’s good news for all. If Tebow fails, that will release some of the pressure that has been building for Fox and Denver management. Fox can say: See, I gave the kid a shot. Fox will no doubt give him a fair shot. He wants to win. But if Tebow falls on his face, do you suppose Fox will not be as disappointed as he professes?

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