INDIANAPOLIS — Can’t quite figure out the thinking behind new Broncos coach John Fox making a point to tell reporters Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine that Kyle Orton is his team’s starting quarterback.

Fox did leave wiggle room that the Broncos wouldn’t “really figure out” who their starter would be until competition begins, but he still felt compelled to make it clear how the pecking order at the position stands.

You have to wonder if Fox, who has the strongest say about the Broncos’ football operation, had any other motive behind making it known that Orton is his No. 1 QB.

Could it be that Fox is trying to do as much as he can to enhance Orton’s trade value? Or, as some around the league suspect, does Fox not feel all that confident in turning the reins over to Tim Tebow, whom he inherited from previous coach Josh McDaniels?

If the latter is true, that won’t go over very well with a large portion of Broncos fans who adore Tebow the way the University of Florida faithful did when he was a Gator. Tebow’s dynamic skills as a runner and passer are probably the biggest reasons that Denver fans are hopeful for a turnaround.

John Elway, the Broncos’ new executive vice president of football operations, recently echoed Fox’s comments about Orton being the team’s starter. But it’s widely assumed that Elway would champion Tebow’s starting potential because, like the Hall of Famer, he has great mobility and the ability to make big plays on the move.

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