Tebow’s future a hot topic at Manning’s presser

At a 3 p.m. press conference staged by the Denver Broncos to introduce Peyton Manning as the team’s new starting quarterback, former Florida Gators signal caller Tim Tebow remained a subject of high interest and much discussion.

After being introduced by owner Pat Bowlen and executive vice president of football operations John Elway, Manning spoke about his decision and then answered a number of direct questions including two in particular about Tebow.

Manning first said that he did not have any conversations with the front office about the entirety of the quarterback position even though he knows “there are decisions to be made.” Then he added on his own:

Let me just say this: I know what kind of player Tim Tebow is and what kind of person he is. I’ve gotten to meet him personally one time. What an awesome year he had this year. If Tim Tebow is here next year, I’m going to be the best teammate I can be to him, and he and I are going to help this team win games. If other opportunities present themselves for him, I’m going to wish him the best. He’s going to be a great player wherever he is. Those are decisions that have to be made by other people. Those are not my decisions and those conversations never did come up with me. This is the place where I wanted to come and play football and to help this team win in whatever role or capacity that is.”

He also noted that he did not specifically have anything to say to Tebow’s fans that may prefer him instead and will obviously still support him going forward.

“I don’t know what to say to them. I think they’re fans of his for a great reason,” he said. “He’s a great player and a great guy. I think they can still be fans of his. I’m a fan of his, too. He’s a great player, great guy, great respect for what he accomplished last year. That was pretty impressive.”

Elway then took the podium and answered a number of specific questions regarding Tebow and his future (or lack thereof) with the franchise.

“We’re going through that process now,” Elway said in regards to Tebow’s future. “We’re going to look at that obviously. Coach [John] Fox and I called Tim [Monday] night and talked to him about it.

“This is a tough business. The toughest thing about this whole thing is Tim Tebow because of what I think about Tim Tebow. The things he did last year were tremendous. [He] helped turn this organization around from a 4-12 team to a playoff team and winning the division. And I’ve got a great deal of respect for him as a person and the things that he does.

“But that is no question the toughest thing about this business – the personal side. We just had to make a decision as an organization – myself, Coach Fox, the personnel department, the coaches. What would be the best opportunity for the Denver Broncos to be competitive for a world championship? And Peyton Manning was that so that’s why we chose to go that direction.”

Elway said that he is sure Tebow was “disappointed” at the conversation the two sides had on Monday even though he did not come out and say so specifically.

“I think it was a typical Tim Tebow response in fact that he was very positive,” he said. “And he said, ‘Well, we’re talking about Peyton Manning and I understand exactly what you’re doing.’ Again, the response was exactly what we know of Tim and that’s always being very positive.”

He added that the team has not had any conversations about trading Tebow yet but that it is something that could very well happen soon. And if he was to make that move, he would like to find a spot for Tebow where he would not only play but would be in a position to continue his career in a positive direction.

“We haven’t got that far. We’re still in the process. That is a possibility,” he said. “There’s a possibility and he knows that. Now that we’ve gone through this process, we’ll go back and look at that and see what the best thing is for the Broncos.”

Like Manning before him, Elway was also asked what he would say to Tebow’s fans in Denver who have supported him to such great lengths over the past two seasons.

“Having played here, I understand what the fans are all about here. To me, the one thing I’ve always kept close to my heart is the fact that Denver Bronco fans are in love with the Denver Broncos,” he said. “Obviously I want them to understand that I was hired to do a job by Mr. Bowlen, and my job was to do the best we could to compete for a world championship. That’s what I feel like I’m doing.

“As I said, Tim Tebow is a great kid, and I said that. He’s the one guy… If I want somebody to marry my daughter, it would be him. I just think the world… Where we are as an organization and [where] Tim is as a football player… I told you Tim is a great football player, but I think with the opportunity that presented itself here, with the opportunity to have Peyton Manning’s services, we had to take advantage of that.

“Now that that has happened, we have to go back and address Tim and find out what the best situation is for the Broncos as well as him. To his fans, I would say this: That’s the tough part of this business. My responsibility and the role that I’m in is I have to take the personalities out of it. I got to make the best decisions I can for the Denver Broncos. I will say this: Without a doubt in my mind, this is the best decision for the Denver Broncos at this point in time.”