"Last June, during the Broncos' minicamp, Kyle Orton was named the starting quarterback for the 2009 season.

He will not get that same designation for 2010 this week at minicamp.

The Broncos' starting quarterback probably won't be decided before the Aug. 21 exhibition in Denver against the Lions - and perhaps not until a week later when the team plays the Steelers.

A year ago on June 12, Orton - as anticipated, but not quite that soon - was called into Josh McDaniels' second-floor office at Dove Valley and told that he would be the starter. Orton beat out veteran free agent Chris Simms and rookie Tom Brandstater. Orton won't have to worry about them again. Both are gone.

This time around Orton's challengers have stronger resumes and higher profiles; the Broncos and Orton are coming off last season's gruesome second-half collapse, and the coach has declared an extended open competition for No. 1.

The Broncos have a good (or bad) old-fashioned Quarterback Controversy.

I asked McDaniels on Friday afternoon: "Does Brady Quinn (entering his fourth NFL season and first with the Broncos) have a legitimate chance to be Broncos' opening-Sunday starter?" The coach replied: "Yes.""