Denver Misses Its Tee(bow) Time

Tebow misses rookies workout
AP

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -- Kyle Orton can't wait for rookie Tim Tebow to sign his contract and help shoulder the load at the Denver Broncos' training camp.

Not necessarily to split the snaps or siphon the media attention.

Orton has other things in mind for the first-round draft pick who is generating the kind of buzz in Denver that John Elway did as a rookie in 1983.

"Oh, that would fine," Orton said when asked after Wednesday's workout if he'd like to see Tebow in camp. "I've got these pads on. I need somebody to take them in for me."

Maybe it was good-natured rookie ribbing or perhaps it was a reference to the brouhaha at Cowboys camp where Dez Bryant insists he was unaware of the rookie ritual of carrying veteran shoulder pads after practice and refused to accommodate Roy Williams' request.

But it also showed quite clearly that Orton still considers himself the alpha dog at Dove Valley.

Orton wanted a long-term extension this offseason like the one fellow restricted free agent Elvis Dumervil signed last week. Instead, he got Brady Quinn coming over in a trade and Tebow arriving via the draft after what many consider the greatest career in college football history.

Orton, who signed a $2.621 million tender this spring, enters camp as the starter but that could change.

He split snaps with Quinn on Wednesday when the unsigned Tebow missed the first day of workouts for rookies, selected veterans and players coming off injuries.

The 25th overall pick in the draft after winning two national titles and the Heisman Trophy at Florida, Tebow said last month that he didn't want to miss a single pro practice. But he can't show up without his signature on a contract.

Since when can't rookies take part in training camp because they're unsigned? I was pretty sure this sort of thing happens every year. And since Dez Bryant is the only 1st rounder I can think of who has signed there must be a lot of veterans carrying their pads these days. I know one thing for sure, missing practice isn't a very Tebowian thing to do. It would be like it Hulk Hogan didn't say his prayers and eat his vitamins in the 80s. Plus Football Jesus would really push this quarterback race to the next level. I think the three players should sign a pact. If Orton loses he should have to shave his neck beard and replace the hair with Mark Schlereth's pubes. If Brady Quinn loses he has to finally come out of the closet and if Tebow loses the job he has to bust his cherry with Erin Andrews via internet live stream. I'm sure her stalker would be happy to help film it.