DENVER -- Hall of Famer John Elway believes rookie Tim Tebow will see plenty of playing time this season even though Kyle Orton is entrenched as the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback.
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Former Broncos QB
John Elway had plenty more to say on the topic of Tim tebow, including why he believes Josh McDaniels coveted the ex-Florida QB:
" Josh McDaniels made his bed, especially trading up to get Tebow. But that's the thing with Josh, he seems knows what he wants. He wanted a guy like Tebow to be the leader, not only to carry the team physically on the field, but also be that type of leader that he wants off the field.
"I think he saw that in Tom Brady, who does everything he needs to do and is a great leader and is a big part of the reason the Patriots had so much success. ... I think he saw many of the same characteristics, mentally, in those two quarterbacks."
"I'm sure they're going to take advantage of what he does in the shotgun, especially in third-down situations with the run-pass option that you have with a guy like Tim," Elway said Wednesday. "He throws the ball so well on the move and has the chance for the big play. And maybe they'll use him more than that and get him into the right situations."
Part-time duty is just the ticket for Tebow this season, Elway said after competing in the HealthOne Colorado Senior Open golf tournament at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club.
"I think the good thing for Tim is all the pressure's not on him to go in and play right away and play well," said Elway, who led the Broncos to two Super Bowl victories. "So it's actually a good situation for him."
Elway said he visited the Broncos at practice last week and told Tebow that his dart into the end zone as time expired in his professional debut at Cincinnati, leaving him with bruised ribs, was the right play.
Tebow was sidelined for more than a week, and that play raised the chatter about whether he'll be able to survive in the NFL with the same, bruising style that made him a great player at the University of Florida, where he won the Heisman Trophy and two BCS national titles.
Elway said the competitor in Tebow wouldn't allow him to go down short of the goal line as two defenders raced to meet him as he reached the end zone.
"When you think about the option of him going down on the 1-yard line and he doesn't get hurt, what's everyone going to be talking about then?" Elway said.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
