Broncos executive vice president of football operations John Elway opened up the season wrap-up news conference today by answering the first question on everyone’s mind.
Yes, Tim Tebow will be the starting quarterback entering next season.
“Tim is the starting quarterback going into training camp,” Elway said. “He made great strides. He has earned the right to be the starter going into training camp next year.”
Also, Elway said the team will “be in the market to find more quarterbacks” via free agency or the draft.
Elway said he expects Tebow to become a better player before next season.
“Obviously, the passing game was not where we want it to be,” Elway said. “We’re looking forward to the offseason to see the improvement he can make, and I think he will do that.
“Where I can help him, and give my experiences, as well to others, I’ll do that.”
Also participating in the postseason news conference were coach John Fox and general manager Brian Xanders.
No players attended.
Some Broncos superlatives according to the team’s public relations department:
• The Broncos became the fifth team in NFL history to make the postseason, and just the third to win its division after starting out 2-5 or worse.
• Denver’s five-win improvement (including postseason) from 2010 tied for the second-best mark in the NFL.
• The Broncos tied an NFL record with six wins when trailing (four) or tied (two) entering the fourth quarter.
• Nine Denver rookies saw playing time. That included 56 starts to rank second in the NFL.
• Denver led the NFL in rushing with 2,632 yards, a team record.
• The Broncos’ offensive line was the only such unit in the NFL to start the same five players for all 16 regular-season games.
• Tim Tebow went 8-5 as a starter, including postseason play, and tied for tops in the league with five fourth-quarter comebacks.
• Tebow’s 660 yards rushing set a franchise record for a quarterback.
• Willis McGahee tied for the NFL lead with seven 100-yard rushing games and posted his fourth-career 1,000-yard rushing season (1,199).
• Denver’s 41 sacks was an improvement of 18 over the 2010 total and was the most by the team since 44 in 2000.
• Champ Bailey’s 11th Pro Bowl selection is tied for third-most in NFL history.
• Von Miller became the second player in Broncos history to be named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie and tied Rulon Jones (1980) for the team’s rookie sack record (11.5).
• Elvis Dumervil recorded 9.5 sacks and was named to the Pro Bowl after missing the 2010 season because of an injury.
• Matt Prater kicked four walk-off field goals, including three overtime winners.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
