Broncos stick necks out for Manning; will Tebow stay?

DENVER — The spirits of Colorado football fans soared a mile high when word broke Monday morning that future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning had decided to play for the Denver Broncos. They just had one request: Keep Tim Tebow, too.

Even as Peyton-monium was erupting in Denver on Monday, Broncos diehards were finding it hard to loosen their grip on Tebowmania, despite reports that the team would trade fan-favorite Tebow in the aftermath of Manning’s decision.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper summed up the feelings of Bronco Nation when he suggested Monday that Tebow spend a season or two learning at the feet of the former Indianapolis Colts signal-caller, whose contract is expected to be worth $95 million over five years.

“My imagination soars at the thought that Tim Tebow would be willing — and obviously he doesn’t have to do this, he’s proven he can be a starter — but if he were to stay a year or two under the tutelage of Peyton Manning, and see where that goes,” said Hickenlooper.

“That would be ideal. For Peyton Manning to take the raw talent and character of Tim Tebow and put them together, is almost too good to be believed,” said the Democratic governor. “You can’t be in this job without being pretty optimistic, so I’m hopeful.”

Those sentiments were echoed by the Suleiman brothers, who became local celebrities for running pro-Tebow messages last season on their electronic sign at Multiline International Imports at 58th Avenue and Grant Street.

The brothers had a new message Monday — “Broncos Fans Welcome New Manning On Board” — but at the same time, they said they supported the team keeping Tebow as a backup to learn from the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player.

“It would be better if we could keep him,” said Ali Suleiman. “Tebow could learn from Manning, because how long is he going to be able to play?”

The Suleimans recently conducted an unscientific online survey — Manning or Tebow? — which found 59 percent of respondents favored Tebow. The poll drew more than 20,000 votes.

“It’s great to have a guy like Manning be part of the team,” said Tariq Suleiman. “[But] Tebow was special. He brought something special to Denver.”

Many Broncos fans said they were concerned that Manning’s age — he turns 36 Saturday — means he only has a few years in Denver, after which the team will need another quarterback.

And who better than Tebow, who wowed the fan base in 2011 by leading the team to its first playoff win since 2005 despite, as Denver-based ESPN columnist Rick Reilly put it, “tossing more dirtballs than a Hooters bouncer”?

“I think Peyton would be a great mentor for Tebow, but I think we need to keep Tebow because Manning’s only got so many years left,” said Doug Hale of Littleton.

Other football-watchers said they would be relieved to see the Broncos trade Tebow so that the team could focus on winning a Super Bowl instead of dealing with never-ending publicity surrounding the quarterback.

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