After starting 6-0, the Denver Broncos hit an apparent high.  For once, the bye week killed momentum, and teams finally have the Broncos figured out.

Eliminate the short pass, and you can win by 20 or more every time.

The Denver Broncos’ four game slide can be traced back to a number of different things.  Lack of running game, lack of deep passing game, lack of pass protection, and below average special teams play.

Still, the most prevalent and obvious area that the Broncos lack is a legitimate passing threat.

Kyle Orton was an MVP candidate through the first six games of the seasons.  He had nine touchdowns compared to only one interception, and he was arguably the most efficient quarterback in the league through that time.

He was getting the job done, and the Broncos did not hardly have throw the ball further than 15 yards on any given play.

Then, after the bye week, the Baltimore Ravens did something that no other team had done all season long, and that was blitz nearly every play, and take away the middle of the field on passing plays.

The Broncos were stunned.

Their offense became predictable, especially in the passing game.  They have thrown only two touchdown passes since week six, and rank only 19th in the NFL in passing offense.

It would appear, through ten weeks of the season, that the Broncos need Jay Cutler, and Jay Cutler needs the Broncos, but that is beside the point.

What is the Broncos’ answer at quarterback?

It certainly is not Chris Simms, who is the second highest paid backup in the NFL today, and one who has since proven that he is not an NFL starter, and maybe not even a backup anymore.

Simms’ decision making is slow to develop, and his arm strength is nothing like what it was in the preseason. 

For now, and probably for the rest of the season, the Broncos will ride it out with Kyle Orton, who is far and away the most experienced quarterback on the team.

He is a leader, winner, and he rarely makes stupid mistakes.  He is as accurate as any quarterback on short passing routes, and he is efficient.

But he can’t move the ball down the field with regularity or when the Broncos need it.

Orton is what we all thought he is:  A game manager.  He is not capable of driving the ball down the field at any given time in a game when the Broncos need a score.

Now, the Broncos have come back a few times this season, largely thanks to the arm of Orton.  An 87 yard pass on opening day to win the game, a 51 yard strike to Brandon Marshall against the Cowboys to win the game, a game-winning drive against the Patriots, and a clincher touchdown toss to Brandon Stokley in the Broncos’ last win against San Diego.

But it all means nothing now that the Broncos’ offense has seemingly become anemic.

This is a team that started the season plus seven in the turnover margin, and minus seven in the last four games.  The Broncos’ offense was able to capitalize on turnovers, which the defense has been unable to force in recent games.

When the Broncos have the ball on offense, they are not able to move downfield with the passing game at any given time.

So, what is the answer to Denver’s passing woes?

Like I said before, the team is likely to stick with Orton for the rest of the season, but there are plenty of other options for the future.

Rookie Tom Brandstater showed a bit of promise in the preseason, and many fans are calling for him to take snaps already.  He is a very intelligent player who has quickly adapted to the offense, and was even seen warming up on the sideline yesterday in case Orton’s ankle wasn’t okay.

Though Brandstater has showed promise, it’s unhealthy at best for any team to believe they can plan the future around a rookie sixth round pick.

Lucky for them, the up-coming draft is absolutely littered with elite-level quarterback prospects.

Many believe Washington quarterback Jake Locker to be the number one overall quarterback prospect, and unless the Bears‘ pick is in the top five, he is unlikely to be a Bronco without a blockbuster trade.

Jimmy Clausen is another likely top ten pick if he leaves early, and he reminds me a lot of Jay Cutler both in ability and attitude.  He has a bit of an anger problem it would seem, and the Broncos might stay away from that anyway.

That leaves the original “Big Three” for the Broncos to choose from, and I cannot say I would be disappointed if any of these guys ended up in orange and blue.

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford was said to be the top quarterback prospect coming into this season, and thanks to a season ending injury, he may be the biggest steal of the NFL Draft.

Bradford is at his best when he is playing behind an elite offensive line, something the Broncos certainly have.  He is the most accurate quarterback in the draft, bar none.  He can make all the NFL throws, and he has good mechanics.

He can scramble for a first down when he needs to, and he is a very smart player.  He is a good leader, and he has the potential to be an elite quarterback at the next level.

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy is another guy the Broncos could target, but they could likely trade down and get him.  He is arguably the most productive passer in college history, and he has more wins than any other quarterback in college football.

He is overall a very sound player, and there is not one area where he is not fit to play at the NFL level.  He has prototypical size, and his arm strength and accuracy are both good.  Like Bradford, his short-range arm strength is superior to his longer range.  He is a leader in every sense of the word, and a proven winner.

Speaking of proven winners, how about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow?  This guy is an absolute jack of all trades, and if scouts continue to dislike his mechanics, he could be had for the low, low price of a second round pick.

Though Tebow is not the most accurate quarterback, he places excellent touch on his passes.  In my opinion, he is the greatest college football player of all-time, and I do not believe for one second that this man could not adapt to an NFL offense.

He is a physical marvel, so much so that some are considering him as a tight end/h-back for the next level.  He is both a vocal leader, and leader by example.  His mental toughness and makeup are second to none, and he is an outstanding student.

The Broncos could also look to rising prospects like Western Michigan’s Tim Hiller, whose scouting report reminds me of Peyton Manning. 

Other than his laser, rocket arm strength, Hiller is a stellar student who graduated in only three years and is currently working on a masters.  He stands at 6’4″, 229 pounds, and he has a great sense for timing and when receivers are going to break out of their routes.  His mobility is well below average, but he is an accurate, strong-armed passer who could be a diamond in the rough.

Penn State’s Daryll Clark, Central Michigan’s Dan LeFevour, and Pittsburgh‘s Bill Stull are also solid quarterback prospects for the next level.  At the very least, the Broncos are going to need to look into one of these prospects for at least a backup option if Brandstater happens to be the long-term option.

Either way, the Broncos need someone who can consistently make a clutch throw or move the ball down the field when the offense needs to answer an opponents’ score.

Because right now, they can’t, and as a result they are in a four game losing streak.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

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