Tim Tebow Starts for Broncos; Eager to 'Thank Them for Drafting Me'

by Dennis J. Georgatos

Filed under: Broncos, AFC West

Broncos rookie quarterback Tim Tebow made his first career start Sunday at Oakland against the Raiders.

Tebow took the bulk of the first team practice repetitions in the week leading up to the game in place of starter Kyle Orton, who suffered bruised ribs a week ago in a loss at Arizona.

Prior to the game against the Raiders, the Broncos deactivated Orton, listing him as the team's third or emergency quarterback. Brady Quinn was active as the primary backup to Tebow.

The start marks the first extensive action of the season for Tebow, a Heisman Trophy winner who led Florida to two national titles before being selected in the first round by the Broncos last April.

Tebow has had just 13 offensive touches this season, though he has accounted for four touchdowns -- three by rushing and one on the only pass he has attempted.

He operated mostly out of special packages designed by former Broncos coach Josh McDaniels, who traded three draft picks to Baltimore to move up in the first round to draft Tebow in defiance of many experts. Some scouts and football pundits questioned the former Florida star's passing mechanics and adaptability to a pro-style scheme because of his play in the Gators' spread offense.

However, McDaniels isn't around to oversee his prized pick's first game as a starter. He was fired as the Broncos coach earlier this month. Eric Studesville is the interim head coach for the Broncos and offensive coordinator Mike McCoy is handling the play calls in place of McDaniels, who was let go Dec. 6 amid Denver's collapsing season. The Broncos entered the game against the Raiders with a 3-10 record.

In the days after McDaniels' dismissal, Tebow said he looked forward to the chance to justify McDaniels' faith in him and show his skeptics they're wrong.

"I definitely wanted to make him look good in drafting me," Tebow said. "That was definitely a goal that I didn't get to meet, which is unfortunate. I'm still blessed to be in this organization, and hopefully I can do some things to help this organization and thank them for drafting me."

 

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