Orton or Tebow?

QB Kyle Orton threw for 3,653 yards in 13 starts before he was replaced by QB Tim Tebow.

QB Tim Tebow completed 50% of his passes this past season.

The Denver Broncos were held up by the NFL lockout in trying to trade QB Kyle Orton, the starter for the majority of last season. Once the lockout ended, the Broncos started their pursuit for suitors who will offer a good deal for the services of Orton. About a week and some change later, Orton is still with the Broncos. It was thought that the Miami Dolphins would make a strong bid to acquire Orton, but they ended up signing QB Matt Moore, who went 1-4 as a starter for the Carolina Panthers last season.

It has now been revealed that Orton is taking all of the snaps with the first team in training camp. Many people have been behind the idea that new head coach John Fox should roll with QB Tim Tebow instead. The Broncos drafted Tebow with their first-round pick, to the amazement of myself and many others. However, he has captured the hearts of many and he is receiving a lot of support to be the starter.

The question to many NFL followers remain -- who should be the starter this season? Orton started 13 games, and had four games where his passer rating was over 100. In four of his first six games, he threw for over 300 yards, including a 476 yard game against the Indianapolis Colts. Interim coach Eric Studesville inserted Tebow for their Week 15 matchup against the Oakland Raiders. Tebow completed passes at a completion percentage of 50 percent or lower in two of the three games he started. Tebow was 1-2 as a starter, and Orton wasn't better with a 3-10 record in his 13 games.

With that being said, it is clear that Orton gives the Broncos the best chance to win football games. During the 2009 season, the Broncos started out 5-0 before bottoming out. Orton's accuracy and efficiency was one of the biggest reasons why. The Broncos have many problems on their defense, who gave up 59 points to the Raiders and 43 points to the lowly Arizona Cardinals. Tebow's passing ability in his three games as a starter was comical at some moments. His accuracy was way off during some of his passes, and from the looks of things, he doesn't appear to be an NFL starting quarterback anytime soon.

The Broncos feel compelled to start him sooner or later because they drafted him in the first round. However, that is management's fault that they thought that highly of him when no one else did. John Fox was not there when they drafted him that high. Management should not pressure him to start him because of that. Fox should start Orton because he makes them a contender in a division that's slightly questionable. What happens remains to be seen, but the Broncos will realize their mistake if they take Tebow over Orton.