"Mike Shanahan was branded as the Mastermind. Josh McDaniels is trying to become the Master Manipulator/Motivator. That stage management, or staged management, is manifested especially in McDaniels' relationship with quarterback Kyle Orton. Two Sundays ago, in the Broncos' loss to the Colts, the quarterback threw for 476 yards. However, in the aftermath, the coach said of Orton: "He's being productive, but I tend to think about the quarterback relative to wins and losses, third down and red zone (but) we weren't very good on third down; we weren't very good in the red zone, and we lost the game. . . . Our quarterback has to play well in those situations for us to have a chance to win games against good teams." Last Sunday, the Broncos beat the Titans, and McDaniels commended Orton, who passed for 341 yards and afterward chastised the Titans for being cheap-shot artists. The following day McDaniels had Orton's back, saying the "comments are accurate." Before this Sunday's game against the Ravens, McDaniels, whose team is 2-2, and Orton, who has thrown for 1,419 yards and six touchdowns through a quarter of the season, have peace and harmony. But it wasn't always so. In the offseason, there was very little mutual love and respect. Contrary to public statements, they stewed privately. Orton believed that, because of his personal-best statistics a year ago in what he termed "a good season," he deserved a new, long-term contract and assurances about his future in Denver. When McDaniels traded for Brady Quinn, apparently to compete with Orton for the starting job, and maneuvered to draft Tim Tebow in the first round and praised him to, well, the high heavens, Orton obviously was offended. Accusations seeped out of Dove Valley that the quarterback was lacking in leadership qualities, wasn't working out before the minicamps with his receivers and failed to regularly attend offseason training activities. Rumors circulated from NFL sources that Orton had been or could be the subject of a trade. And McDaniels said in interviews that Tebow could play in the league "much earlier than people think" and there were reports the Broncos intended to use Tebow in a "wild horse" formation and replace Orton in some short-yardage and red-zone situations. On June 5, McDaniels said there were "no guarantees" Orton would start at quarterback. Orton's close friends and past and present teammates have said he had proven himself as a locker-room and huddle leader with the Bears and the Broncos, had thrown daily on his own with receiver Brandon Stokley, received his offseason bonus for OTA participation and felt insulted by McDaniels." Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/paige/ci_16293451
