ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -Tim Tebow’s debut at Dove Valley is being delayed by dollars.
The two-time national champion from Florida and 25th pick in the NFL draft wants to participate in the Denver Broncos’ workouts for rookies and selected veterans leading up to the official start of training camp Sunday.
But he can’t show up until he has his signature on a contract. So, he’s missed three of the four pre-draft practices this week and will need to sign before Friday morning’s workout if he wants a sneak peek at the playbook before training camp starts Sunday with the first full-squad, full-pads session.
General manager Brian Xanders and Tebow’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, are hammering out a deal that figures to be worth about $12 million over five years when it’s finalized.
“We’re optimistic we’ll arrive at a solution soon,” said Joe Ellis, the Broncos’ chief operating officer.
alling farther behind fellow quarterbacks Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn, who shared the snaps again during two practices on Thursday, Tebow won’t officially become a holdout until Sunday if he remains unsigned.
Coach Josh McDaniels said he’s not worried it will get to that point either with Tebow or fellow first-round selection Demaryius Thomas, a big wide receiver from Georgia Tech who was drafted three spots ahead of Tebow.
“I don’t have any – nothing to report. We’re still working away at it,” McDaniels said. “… As soon as we can tie the knot, we’ll get them over here and run the conditioning tests and all that stuff.”
The Broncos are using their four practices this week to give rookies, selected veterans and players coming off injuries a head-start on the playbook and practice plans – and also get the jitters out before camp starts in earnest after the rest of the veterans report this weekend.
“It’s just an opportunity to feel better about playing faster,” McDaniels said. “And I think whether you’re a rookie quarterback or an injured player, it makes sense to come in and try to start crawling before you walk and walking before you run – because certainly none of them are going to hit the ground running because they’re behind.
“Every day is a great opportunity.”
The Broncos’ starting quarterback remains Orton, who threw for 3,800 yards last season but faltered down the stretch when he got banged up and the Broncos kept their offense conservative.
The Broncos were unwilling to commit to a long-term relationship this offseason, so Orton signed a $2.621 million tender as a restricted free agent and didn’t miss any of the team’s offseason program.
But he did get some better competition for his job as the Broncos jettisoned Chris Simms and Tom Brandstater and brought in Quinn from Cleveland and Tebow from Florida.
Tebow might not be ready to make a big impact as a rookie because he faces a big adjustment as he morphs from combination college quarterback to prototypical pro passer. Still, many consider him the best college player ever and he’s creating the kind of buzz in the Rockies that John Elway did back in 1983.
His jersey already is a best-seller, he’s pitching products for Jockey, EA Sports and Nike. And he’s sure to be under a microscope from the second he steps on the practice field, whenever that may be.
Tebow’s teammates aren’t concerned that he’ll crater under all the attention.
“As successful as he’s been, I’m sure he can handle it,” said 10-year veteran Russ Hochstein.
Rookie tight end Riar Geer said the one thing he’s learned in the four months he’s known him is that Tebow prospers under pressure.
“He definitely thrives on it. He’s a competitor,” Geer said. “Watching him out here in all the workouts, he’s always coming in first place.”
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