Here’s how Cowboys preseason analyst Babe Laufenberg introduced Tim Tebow Thursday night:
“I have never seen a QB more inaccurate during warmups in my life than Tebow,” Laufenberg said. “Throwing against air.”
Tebow looked a lot more accurate when the game started. Playing as the No. 2 quarterback, Tebow completed 6-of-7 passes for 91 yards. The numbers were very good, but the Broncos scored only six points in his four drives, the last field goal on a drive that went backwards.
There were some spotty moments. Tebow had an interception overturned by penalty and he tried to run too quickly too often. A few Broncos drives ended on Tebow runs that came up short. He also took a vicious sack.
Still, this was a confidence building performance overall by Tebow. He made a perfect 43-yard strike between the hashmarks to Matt Willis. His passes were on point.
Broncos starter Kyle Orton only played one drive. The Broncos drove 74 yards on 13 plays, with Orton completing two passes for 37 yards. Denver nicely used Knowshon Moreno and Willis McGahee seemingly every other play when the starters were on the field. The Broncos settled for a field goal after getting cute calling a fade pattern on the goal line before a penalty.
(A long Orton drive ending in a field goal. It’s like Josh McDaniels never left.)
It’s probably too late for Tebow to challenge Orton for the starting job for Week One. (Orton did nothing to help Tebow Thursday.) If Tebow could string together a few good preseason games, however, Orton would be on a shorter leash when the games count.