Denver Native (Carol)
09-02-2010, 03:43 PM
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_15965484?source=rss
Today's question about the Broncos comes from Jack Barthel. Send your questions via e-mail to jlegwold@denverpost.com.
Q: Where does Brady Quinn stand today?
A: Jack, he's in a battle for the Broncos' No. 2 quarterback job. He entered training camp solidly in the No. 2 spot, worked as the No. 2 in practices and was treated like the No. 2 player at the position.
But Quinn's preseason performance has been spotty. He had a difficult game against the Bengals and a better one against the Lions, and is in danger of losing the job. Some NFL scouts who have seen him play in recent weeks say Quinn appears unwilling to let the ball go on time, that he looks like a quarterback who isn't comfortable in the offense and fears making a mistake.
Quinn recently said he's still trying to get "fluent" in the Broncos' offense and that he's still a confident player.
Adding to Quinn's difficulty: The Broncos have been creating some packages to use rookie Tim Tebow as a change-of-pace quarterback. To make that work, Tebow most likely has to be the No. 2 quarterback on game day, because NFL teams rarely have three QBs on the 45-man game-day roster (eight players are declared inactive for each game).
But when starting quarterback Kyle Orton left Sunday's game against the Steelers for one snap after being hit by linebacker James Harrison, it was Quinn — not Tebow — who quickly entered the game. Quinn was sacked on the play, but it showed that when the Broncos didn't have time to consider the decision and had to get lined up to run a play, they went with Quinn as the No. 2 QB.
Tebow has played relatively well in the preseason, but it's unlikely he is ready to be the Broncos' starting quarterback if Orton were injured.
According to NFL rules, if Quinn were the No. 3 quarterback and not on the 45-man game-day roster — No. 3 quarterbacks usually aren't, even though they are in uniform — and he played before the fourth quarter, neither Tebow nor Orton could return to the game.
The Broncos will take one last preseason look at Tebow and Quinn during Thursday night's game against the Vikings in Minneapolis. To win the No. 2 job, Tebow must show he would be comfortable making checks at the line of scrimmage and wouldn't force the ball into coverage.
At times, Tebow has been slow to see the opening and let the ball go — much like any rookie quarterback. Tebow also has had some bouts with inaccuracy in practice when he doesn't consistently hit his release point.
No matter who is called the Broncos' No. 2 quarterback on game day, the player who enters the game if Orton gets injured will be the one who has shown he is the most reliable option.
Quinn still can be that guy. But the former first-round draft pick from Notre Dame needs to look more like the veteran he is when he has the opportunity to play.
Today's question about the Broncos comes from Jack Barthel. Send your questions via e-mail to jlegwold@denverpost.com.
Q: Where does Brady Quinn stand today?
A: Jack, he's in a battle for the Broncos' No. 2 quarterback job. He entered training camp solidly in the No. 2 spot, worked as the No. 2 in practices and was treated like the No. 2 player at the position.
But Quinn's preseason performance has been spotty. He had a difficult game against the Bengals and a better one against the Lions, and is in danger of losing the job. Some NFL scouts who have seen him play in recent weeks say Quinn appears unwilling to let the ball go on time, that he looks like a quarterback who isn't comfortable in the offense and fears making a mistake.
Quinn recently said he's still trying to get "fluent" in the Broncos' offense and that he's still a confident player.
Adding to Quinn's difficulty: The Broncos have been creating some packages to use rookie Tim Tebow as a change-of-pace quarterback. To make that work, Tebow most likely has to be the No. 2 quarterback on game day, because NFL teams rarely have three QBs on the 45-man game-day roster (eight players are declared inactive for each game).
But when starting quarterback Kyle Orton left Sunday's game against the Steelers for one snap after being hit by linebacker James Harrison, it was Quinn — not Tebow — who quickly entered the game. Quinn was sacked on the play, but it showed that when the Broncos didn't have time to consider the decision and had to get lined up to run a play, they went with Quinn as the No. 2 QB.
Tebow has played relatively well in the preseason, but it's unlikely he is ready to be the Broncos' starting quarterback if Orton were injured.
According to NFL rules, if Quinn were the No. 3 quarterback and not on the 45-man game-day roster — No. 3 quarterbacks usually aren't, even though they are in uniform — and he played before the fourth quarter, neither Tebow nor Orton could return to the game.
The Broncos will take one last preseason look at Tebow and Quinn during Thursday night's game against the Vikings in Minneapolis. To win the No. 2 job, Tebow must show he would be comfortable making checks at the line of scrimmage and wouldn't force the ball into coverage.
At times, Tebow has been slow to see the opening and let the ball go — much like any rookie quarterback. Tebow also has had some bouts with inaccuracy in practice when he doesn't consistently hit his release point.
No matter who is called the Broncos' No. 2 quarterback on game day, the player who enters the game if Orton gets injured will be the one who has shown he is the most reliable option.
Quinn still can be that guy. But the former first-round draft pick from Notre Dame needs to look more like the veteran he is when he has the opportunity to play.