5 Questions About Denver / Miami

Last night on FinsRadio.net I spoke with Kim Constantinesco of PredominantlyOrange.  Going on her fifth year covering the Denver Broncos Kim was able to answer quite a few questions about this Sunday’s game.  You can listen to her interview by going to Finsradio.net and clicking the listen button or in the archives.  She comes on at 9:00 just after comedian Roy Wood, Jr.

During the show I alluded to a Q&A that she and I conducted VIA Email earlier this week.  You can read my answers to her questions by visiting her site, linked above.  Here are her questions that she answered for me.

1:  The Broncos seem to rally around Tim Tebow regardless of his playing style.  What is it about this kid that just finds ways to win?

"He’s obviously not your traditional quarterback. When plays break down, he’s able to scramble, find the open receiver on the run, and even throw a mean block for a running back. Those athletic characteristics cannot be taught, and it’s equally as difficult for opposing teams to prepare for his natural talents. He has the will to succeed. He finds a way to win, he finds a way into the endzone, and he finds a way to make those around him better. While he won’t consistently average 300+ yards per game like Tom Brady, he does get into the endzone. Since 2010, he has the highest touchdown percentage among all quarterbacks. He has 148 touches in his career and 13 TDs. That 8.8% of the time, Tebow is getting the ball into the endzone. Not bad for a backup."

2:  The Broncos traded their number 1 WR Brandon Lloyd to the Rams, who is going to step up and how will that effect the Broncos offense with a change at QB?

"While it was tough to see Lloyd leave, the Broncos will be fine without him. Eric Decker is putting up Lloyd-like numbers and 2010’s first round draft pick Demaryius Thomas is set to make his regular season debut after tearing his Achilles in February and then breaking his finger in training camp. Tebow will have plenty of options down field, including some great tight ends. If anything, Tebow’s receivers will benefit from his ability to run with the ball because defenses will have to honor the run. That should free things up down field. John Fox’s teams normally favor the run anyway, so there isn’t going to be too much difference in the offensive scheme with the QB change. There may be more plays out of the shotgun and more screen passes in terms of passing, but the Broncos will look to consistently move the chains with a run oriented approach."

3:  The Broncos defense can’t seem to finish off games yet it seems to be a problem every year, why has this not been tended to?

"Year in and year out, the Broncos have failed to stop the run. They give up big plays on third downs, and allow other teams to keep the chains moving. At the end of games, it has historically been easy for opposing teams to control the clock and not allow the Broncos offense another chance back out on to the field."

4:  How much faith does the fan base have in John Elway to turn the franchise around?

"Fans have a lot of faith in Elway. Since retiring from the game of football, Elway has been successful in all kinds of business ventures – restaurants, car dealerships, etc. Like when he was playing football, his will to succeed stands out among the rest. Fans know that the turn around is going to take time, but they’re confident that it will happen primarily because Elway knows what it takes to build a championship team."

5:  How much of an impact do you believe the Dolphins home crowd (Gator fans) will have on the game and what do you see the final outcome as?

"I foresee a large contingency of Tebow supporters on Sunday. For Tebow, it will probably feel like a home game. If the Dolphins were not 0-5 and if they were competitive in the AFC East, I’m sure the Tebow chants wouldn’t be as loud. However, because Andrew Luck is on the South Beach brain, the Broncos could hear quite a few cheers. Broncos – 24 Dolphins – 17."