Tebow misses first rookie workout, awaiting contract

Tim Tebow is missing the Denver Broncos' first day of workouts for rookies and injured players because he has yet to sign a contract.

Tebow was selected 25th in the draft after winning two national titles at Florida.

He said last month that he didn't want to miss a single practice as he makes his transition from college star to NFL quarterback. But he can't show up without his signature on a contract that's expected to be worth $12 million over five years.

Also missing Wednesday's workout was unsigned receiver Demaryius Thomas from Georgia Tech, selected 22nd overall.

He and Tebow won't be considered holdouts, however, unless they remain unsigned when the full squad reports for practice Sunday.

Tebow is the most intriguing pro prospect since Michael Vick, and he's creating the type of buzz in Denver that John Elway's arrival did in 1983.

Elway said last week that he thinks Tebow will succeed in his transition from combination college quarterback to prototypical pocket passer in the NFL. He said detractors "are focusing too much on his release. As long as he can get it out in a timely manner, I think he has plenty of arm there."

Elway said Tebow is in the perfect place to begin his pro career because of coach Josh McDaniels' experience working with quarterbacks, including three-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady in New England.

Incumbent starter Kyle Orton and newcomer Brady Quinn, acquired in a trade with Cleveland in March, split snaps at Wednesday's workout, which included offensive lineman Russ Hochstein, a 10-year veteran who had knee surgery at the end of last season after playing in 15 games at both guard positions and at tight end.

Although the quarterbacks are sure to garner most of the attention at the Broncos' training camp over the next six weeks, the more intriguing competition is probably going to come at the other end of all those passes.

The Broncos needed big, athletic wide receivers after trading two-time Pro Bowler Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins and they got two in the draft: Thomas is 6-foot-3 and 224 pounds and Eric Decker is 6-3 and 218 pounds.

Decker was a projected first-rounder but fell to the third round after his collegiate career at Minnesota was cut short last fall because of a ligament sprain in his left foot. His workout Wednesday was his first with the Broncos as he was limited to individual work during the team's offseason practices.

Thomas broke his left foot in pre-draft workouts but has recovered.

Also, veteran receivers Jabar Gaffney and Eddie Royal figure to get more opportunities with Marshall in Miami. But 12-year veteran Brandon Stokley could find himself in a tough fight with Brandon Lloyd, Kenny McKinley and Matt Willis for a roster spot.

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