What to Watch For: Denver Broncos vs. San Diego Chargers
The Denver Broncos are 1-3 after the first quarter of their season, one that included games against the Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans, and Green Bay Packers. Going into the season, that was supposed to be Denver’s “easy” stretch of games, but as it turns out, those teams combine for an 11-5 record.
Aside from an embarrassing road loss to the Packers last week, the Broncos have actually not been all that bad for a team that just picked 2nd in the draft this past April. Still, it’s extremely disappointing to see these guys come out and lose games because of mistakes they could have avoided.
You almost don’t mind when a team like the Packers comes out and just shows you who’s boss, but when your team shoots itself in the foot repeatedly, it gets frustrating to say the least.
So what am I looking for from the Broncos in this game? What are my expectations?
To be honest, my expectations are extremely low, even though the Chargers are without two starting linemen in Luis Castillo and Jacques Cesaire, as well as All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates.
This is the first time in a long time where I am going into the game pretty feeling really no strong emotions one way or the other. I don’t know what to think of that.
The biggest story surrounding Denver this season is obviously their quarterback controversy. It has gotten so bad among the fans that nobody knows whether or not they want Orton, Tebow, Quinn, or Andrew Luck. The fans have been left in such a weird state because John Fox refuses to let Tim Tebow play at this point.
Why should he let Tebow play?
Anybody who has half a brain knows that Kyle Orton doesn’t want to be in Denver. He agreed to a three year extension with the Miami Dolphins that was pulled off the table by Miami at the last minute, and he has said before that he doesn’t care about what the fans think or say in Denver.
Obviously he has to have that mindset because Denver fans are always chanting for someone else to get on the field when Orton is trying to do his job, and he’s not a bad guy or a terrible player, he simply has no future in Denver.
That is clearly evident to the fans, but not so evident to John Fox and the coaching staff, apparently.
All offseason long, we as fans have been hammered with statements about how Orton gives our team the best chance to win, and that Tim is a talented guy and a good leader but he just isn’t an NFL ready quarterback.
Four wins since the start of 2010 is not exactly a glowing resume’ for Orton, so Broncos fans are fed up. We want a glimpse of the future so we know if we have to use another pick on a quarterback in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Regardless of whether or not Tebow is “Elway and Fox’s guy” it doesn’t matter–if you don’t want him and don’t believe in him, put him on the field and see what he can do so you can trade him away or justify getting rid of him at the end of the season.
If the Broncos do not let Tebow play soon, there will be a revolt in Denver. Fans will stop coming to games if they have not already. It’s not about making a change for the sake of making a change–this season is pretty much lost for the Broncos at this point. There is no point in letting Orton play because the Broncos are not going to the playoffs.
Even if they do put together a string of victories, the only thing that is going to do is prevent them from getting another high draft pick, which they need.
At this point, I want to see the Broncos come out and give their best. I don’t want to see any more sulking and I don’t want to see any more players giving less than 100 percent on the field. The attitude of this team seems to go to the crapper so quickly, and that’s a direct reflection of the leadership on the sidelines and on the field.
If the Broncos go one more game showing so much apathy, I’m going to stop caring all together until someone on that team actually does.