If the Denver Broncos want to develop a more effective offense with Tim Tebow quarterbacking the team then the passing game needs to evolve from its heavy focus on running the ball. Exactly how conservative was the offense at the end of the season? As Mike Klis writes in the Denver Post:
The most alarming stat of the Broncos' offense as they closed the 2011 season: In the first half of their final four games, the Broncos ran the ball, or didn't throw it, on 45- of-49 first-down plays.
And Klis goes on to mention that Tebow was 0-of-4 on those passing plays, which is a reason why the play calling didn't result in more passing plays on first down. "Complete more passes and we'll have you throw more on first down," but cutting that line at four attempts doesn't prove much.
One way to open up that playbook for Tebow would be to surround Tebow with more weapons on offense. Who did he have to throw to on offense this season? Demaryius Thomas turned out to be a big-time receiver for Tebow, but after that? Eric Decker showed that he is more of a No. 3 wide receiver. Eddie Royal is in the same boat. And the tight ends were woefully absent. Daniel Fells, Dante Rosario, Julius Thomas and Virgil Green didn't provide a safety valve for Tebow. Adding a wide receiver or a tight end in either the first or second round would be a good way to break out of the run-first mentality on first down.
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