Tim Tebow looks solid in Broncos’ preseason opener

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Tim Tebow versus Kyle Orton doesn’t seem to be much of a quarterback controversy anymore -- not with the shaky performances Tebow has been turning in at training camp so far.

But in the often misleading world of preseason football, Tebow had a better statistical night than Orton in the Broncos’ 24-23 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night.

Of course, Orton only played in the opening series, completing only two of six passes for 37 yards but leading the Broncos to a field goal. Tebow played for the rest of the first half (four drives total), completing six of seven passes for 91 yards, running twice for 15 yards and leading the team to a pair of field goals.

“Tim is a work in progress. He made some things happen and he is learning,’ new head Coach John Fox said of the second-year quarterback. ‘The MO on him when I got here is that he does ad-lib some. You don’t ever want to take that away from a player. He is a young player that I think is going to get better in time.”

But Fox also said, ‘I thought Kyle was sharp,’ referring to Orton, who started for the Broncos the last two seasons but appeared to be on the trading block before camp began.

Brady Quinn, who looks to be Tebow’s main competition for the backup spot, also had a solid night. He completed eight of 14 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown.

ALSO:

Browns’ Colt McCoy is finding his comfort zone

T.J. Simers: Randy Moss, a gifted athlete who cut corners

-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.