Kyle Orton Asserting Himself as Broncos' Starting Quarterback

Amid all the hype surrounding rookie quarterback Tim Tebow, the Denver Broncos actually have no quarterback controversy at all.

The team brought Brady Quinn in from Cleveland during the offseason, giving him a chance to get away from a place where things weren't working well. Quinn was expected to give Orton a push for the starting quarterback job, and the buzz with Tebow is pretty incredible.

With all that going on, all Orton has done is go out and take a stranglehold on the starting quarterback job.

After an impressive start to training camp, Orton impressed at Saturday's scrimmage, held at Invesco Field.

Orton's performance at Saturday's open practice could not have been more different from what it was at the open session at Invesco a year ago. Then, he threw multiple interceptions and was booed. Loudly.

Saturday, Orton was composed and confident, and many of his throws were impressive, including touchdown passes to Jabar Gaffney and Eddie Royal. But that should be no surprise to anyone who has watched the first week of camp and has seen Orton further distance himself from Quinn and Tebow.

"Kyle did some really good things tonight," (coach Josh) McDaniels said.

Despite Quinn and Tebow being around, Orton has simply taken control of the quarterback derby. Barring unforeseen injury or some serious ineffectiveness during the preseason, Orton will be the Week 1 starter.

While he never looked like a superstar in 2009, Orton was generally effective. He didn't throw his first interception until Week 5, and he didn't throw a pick again until Week 9. There were moments where he looked lost in McDaniels' offense, but now he has a full offseason in the system, and it seems he will only get better.

Tebow does have a role here, it appears. The Broncos sure could use a player of his talents to mix things up. As an offensive coordinator in New England, McDaniels did a good job utilizing his players' different talents and keeping defenses off balance. Tebow has the kind of ability to do this in Denver, whether it be as a wildcat quarterback or as a backfield presence of a different sort.

McDaniels will not let Tebow collect a salary to do nothing. He just won't be the starting quarterback.

(Tap on the helmet: PFT)