Interview with Dave Razzano by Dewey Hammond.
Dave Razzano is a former NFL scout and Playmaker Mobile correspondent with more than 22 years of professional scouting experience with the San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals under NFL coaches including Bill Walsh, George Seifert, Chuck Knox and Dick Vermeil. He's been a part of five Super Bowls with three Super Bowl wins (49ers, 1989, 1990; Rams, 2000).
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Q: What do you like in Denver? The roster definitely looks different this season.
A: I like what Josh McDaniels is doing. He's getting rid of people who don't fit his style. I like the fact that they're all on the same page. They've got a nice QB in Kyle Orton and he's going to continue to get better. They have a lot of receivers and a young running back in Moreno. Getting nose tackle Jamal Williams from San Diego to anchor that front, I think that was the biggest offseason acquisition this entire offseason. They have some good linebackers. They're going to miss Elvis Dumvervil and his sacks obviously, but they have Champ Bailey, they have Brian Dawkins, they have a better defense than people realize. This team can surprise. They could win the wild card. It's one of those teams with a strong front office, really good direction, and great young players. They're a break away from a 10-6 season.
Q: I know you're a Tebow fan. What do you say to the detractors? Why will he be successful?
A: Look at two things: his production and intangibles. When you have that level of production in college at the highest level, and you have that inner-drive and competitiveness? I don't know if I've ever seen a QB as competitive as Tebow. He has the competitiveness of a linebacker. It's funny, that may have turned people off. But you don't throw that many touchdowns unless you know how to throw the football. The guy can throw the football. I think people overanalyze his release. He can throw, lead the team, move the team. The detractors drank the Kool Aid on all those negative comments. It's hard to stop production and competitiveness when you have those two things. Guys like Tebow do whatever it takes. They learn their weaknesses, work on them, and get the job done somehow.
Q: Before he was drafted, there was speculation he could get moved to tight end, or maybe fullback. Do you see Denver using Tebow in any way other than QB?
A: I can see them using that Wildcat type of offense with him. He already scored a touchdown this preseason on run. He can run the ball. He's a big physical guy. I think Josh McDaniels — it always helps to have a coach in your corner, and McDaniels will do everything in his power to work with Tebow. He'll play as a rookie in a number of different packages. I was surprised to hear he couldn't throw the ball. He can throw the ball.
Q: What do you not like about Tebow? Is there anything his detractors are saying that you agree with?
A: He's not a real natural guy. He's a lefty. He's big. He doesn't have the touch all the time on short balls. But I think his intermediate and deep balls are more accurate than the short stuff. He doesn't have the really quick release and when he's under heavy pressure there are times he doesn't get the ball away as quickly as you'd like. But over the course of the game he'll be productive if given the chance. But he's not the smoothest most natural looking guy. That's why people think tight end and fullback, even more so because of the design of his college offense, but he can definitely drop back and throw the football.
Q: Best case scenario, worst case scenario, for the Denver Broncos?
A: Worst case, 7-9. Best case, 10-6.
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