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Kyle Orton was a fantasy star for most of last season, and Tim Tebow was one down the stretch. But new coach John Fox isn't ready to commit to either player for 2011 yet, saying only that Orton is the starter "right now."
Asked later if he was aware of the heavy fan support of Tebow, Fox acknowledged that Orton's status atop the depth chart is "today. I've always believed that bringing competition to all positions is important. So, we'll see."
Orton is due to make a healthy salary in 2011; if he's not starting, he probably won't be on the team at all. And if the Broncos are planning to shop him, it makes sense that they would continue to talk as if he's the starter to strengthen their bargaining power; they won't get full value if teams believe they have to ship him out.
However, Tebow's biggest supporter in the Broncos organization, Josh McDaniels, is gone. New Executive VP John Elway hasn't exactly talked up Tebow since taking over -- in fact he's seemed to express reservations about Tebow's game -- and Fox has something of a history of going with a veteran over a youngster against all apparent reason, with Jake Delhomme and DeShaun Foster the most notable examples. It's not as if he's ever avoided making an unpopular decision.
The most likely scenario seems to be the expensive and average Orton being traded, with Tebow getting a shot to help excite the fan base about what looks to be one of the AFC's lesser teams next year.
But if you're holding onto Tebow in a dynasty league, or considering trading for him, don't rule out the possibility that he won't be the team's Week 1 starter. Because the team apparently hasn't.
--Andy Richardson
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