Fire John Fox, Now

Fire John Fox, now. I had hope that the Denver Broncos hired him because he had proved to them that he had grown from his time in Carolina. I assumed that he had evaluated his last few years with the Panthers and saw just how a fresh start could revitalize him. But no. Apparently, he is still the same guy, with little hope of redemption.

John Fox has become the mouthpiece of divisiveness. His pronouncement this week that Kyle Orton will be the Denver Broncos starter in 2011 was an unnecessary move that can only backfire. Not only has he squashed any competition between quarterbacks that could have benefited both guys, he has permanently set Orton up for failure and Tebow on a course he isn't prepared to chart. This will split the fan base, the organization and the teams two quarterbacks.

The logical approach to this situation would have been to allow the offseason to be a time for each quarterback to show their mettle. It would have pushed them to show up to camp prepared to fight. Then, it would have allowed Fox and the fans to oversee a true competition. Out of days and weeks of trading snaps the true starter would have emerged. The team and organization could easily have charted a course forward without a controversy but a true starter. The fans would have had time to process what transpired.

Instead, all the fans are left with is a starter they never wanted and a backup they had seen deliver on his promise to be all he can be. Now, fans will have to keep the #15 jersey on ice for a time, not sure when he will get his next shot. This is very sad, regardless of the fact that Orton might indeed be the best option going forward today. Tomorrow is a different story, and Fox has closed the door on tomorrow. Now, all he has is his decision which he will have to stand by.

Tim Tebow was not his guy. But Tebow is a Bronco and a beloved one. He may not be ready to start in the NFL but why close the door today? This should have never happened and there is only one way this organization can rebound. Fire John Fox, now!