For the most part, chalk this next item up to coaches never wanting to admit a starter has a job wrapped up before camp. Still, it was a little surprising to hear Broncos coach Josh McDaniels endorse a competition at quarterback when asked if Chris Simms would have to play out of his mind to overtake Kyle Orton, who was named the starter in June.

“He doesn’t have to play out of his mind,” McDaniels said. “We’re going to evaluate the quarterbacks just like we do like every other position. If Chris is the most effective quarterback in our system by September, then he’ll start. It’s the same thing with the defensive line, the linebackers, the receivers, everybody. That’s how you have a competitive training camp. Chris came with a great attitude today, worked really well today in the drills we did with the quarterbacks. I would expect that to be a competitive battle. It’s going to make Kyle a better football player, it’s going to make Chris a better football player and hopefully it’s going to make our team a better football team.”

Now, again – McDaniels wasn’t saying it’s a dead heat, and most of that quote should be attributed to coachspeak. There’s a reason he named Orton the starter more than a month ago. And it’s a longshot the job changes hands. Simms would have to play at a very high level, or Orton at a very low one.

Still, it’s a quote that will be interesting to revisit if Simms outplays Orton in training camp and the preseason.

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