Making a statement, whether subtle or not, will either fall on deaf ears or will be promptly addressed with consideration.
Whether it's an employee in pursuit of a merit increase or simply football fans airing out their emotions for a personnel switch, statements are made with intentions of some type of reaction to follow suit.
Enter fans of the Denver Broncos.
Since training camp, the Broncos faithful have been desperately lobbying for then third-string quarterback Tim Tebow to be the team's starter under center. By donning his No. 15 jersey, displaying support with cardboard cut-outs and even taking up space on a billboard, Tebow apologists have been out in full force over the past few months, and could finally have their thirst quenched for last year's first-round pick to start.
After Tebow rode the pine for the first three games of this 2011 season, Broncos head coach John Fox threw him a bone during a 49-23 drubbing at the hands of Green Bay in Week 4. Tebow came in for starter Kyle Orton with the game already out of reach, and was dropped for a one-yard loss.
That was his only statistic this season until coming to Denver's "rescue" in Sunday's 29-24 loss to San Diego. The term sparked was thrown around in postgame interviews, and Tebow certainly did provide one to the offense, throwing for a touchdown and also scrambling for one while finishing with 79 yards on 4-of-10 passing.
When asked about having his name called, Tebow responded in his usual benevolent way.
"I was just very thankful for the opportunity and wanted to try to make the most of it," he said. "Whatever [the coaches] ask me to do I'm going to do with all my heart and have a great attitude about it."
Tebow's not extending the truth by any stretch of the imagination. That's just who he is, and any member of the Florida Gators who played with the former Heisman Trophy winner can attest to that. His determination and fortitude have been on display during his short time at the NFL level, which included a three- start stint to close out last season.
Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil is a witness after watching his teammate almost rally Denver for a much-needed win.
"It just shows the kid is a fighter," said Dumervil. "We always knew that. Some things just don't change from the collegiate level. Give him credit. He came in and gave us a spark, so we've just got to finish better."
Orton didn't get a chance to finish against the Chargers after completing just 6-of-13 passes for 34 yards and an interception in the first half.
A flourishing fan base of the Miami Dolphins who apparently are fed up with Chad Henne let their frustrations be known this summer, with many publicly calling for Orton after the quarterback became the subject of trade rumors during training camp. Orton is a product of the old Denver regime spearheaded by former head coach Josh McDaniels, but made a strong case to be the starter after back-to-back breakout seasons. How can you tell a guy who has thrown for almost 4,000 yards and 20 or more touchdowns in consecutive seasons to grab a clipboard and watch?
Fox had clearly been in Orton's corner since training camp opened, but didn't budge when asked who will start following Sunday's loss and isn't going to tip his hand any time soon. He said Sunday that he hasn't had a chance to study film or visit with the staff regarding the quarterback situation, and will have plenty of time to decide on who plays under center with the bye week coming up.
The Broncos don't play again until Oct. 23 at Miami, where coincidentally, Tebow and the 2008 National Champion Florida Gators will be honored.
Orton, who said he considers himself the starter until told otherwise, may receive some supporting words of wisdom from the opposite sidelines at Sun Life Stadium.
Tebow said Broncos fans are extremely passionate and is thankful for their support, but also mentioned he is grateful not to be in Fox's shoes having to make all the tough decisions. Fox said after the game it was fairly obvious that Tebow lifted a stagnant offense and that the NFL is a performance-based business. He will make his evaluations over the next week, but believes that Denver is improving regardless of a 1-4 record no matter who's at quarterback.
"I'm seeing enough signs that we're improving," Fox stated. "It's not resulting in wins, but I see signs that I like to see as a football coach from a football team."
Fox went on to add the Broncos are looking for "long-term success from somebody" and that Tebow is young man with plenty of intangibles.
Several Broncos fans are hoping a switch at quarterback will soon be made, since they've been campaigning for Tebow's services for more than a year. Fox could also throw a major curveball by inserting Brady Quinn, though that doesn't appear to be a serious consideration.
INCONSISTENCY SETTING IN FOR FALCONS
While many still wonder who will replace Hank Williams Jr. on Monday Night Football, the Atlanta Falcons are curious to know if they will ever regain the magic that landed them the No. 1 seed in the NFC a season ago.
Several prognosticators say it won't happen, since it appears the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints are light-years ahead right now in the battle for conference supremacy.
The Packers churned out a 25-14 win in Atlanta Sunday night, gaining a measure of revenge after the Falcons reportedly dissed their opponent following a playoff loss to Green Bay last January. A few Falcons players went on record saying they believed they were the better team even after the Packers high- stepped out of the Georgia Dome and into the NFC title game with a 48-21 win.
The table was set for last night's rematch, but similar results were cultivated in Green Bay's favor.
Atlanta has now alternated wins and losses every week of this season for a 2-3 record, and didn't suffer its third loss of 2010 until Week 16 versus New Orleans. The Falcons have scored no more than 14 points in each of their losses and 30-plus points in each victory.
"It's tough. You can be up one second and down the next," said Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, part of a defense that extended Atlanta's streak of causing a turnover to 24 straight games in the loss. "What we have to do as a unit, we have to play every play. We have to make sure we're executing and doing our job."
Atlanta squandered a 14-0 lead and once again running back Michael Turner was a non-factor down the stretch, finishing with 56 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries for a ground attack rated 22nd in the league (98.8 ypg). Turner, who has recorded 1,000-plus yards rushing in two of the past three years, started the season with consecutive 100-yard efforts, but is averaging about 49 yards rushing over the last three weeks.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who was intercepted just nine times in the 2010 regular season, has now thrown six picks in five games this year. He fell to 21-3 at home as a starter with Sunday loss, and his passer rating has dipped every other week this season. "Matty Ice" had a season-worst 55.1 quarterback rating on Sunday.
The Falcons have one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL as well, allowing 294.2 yards per game through the air, and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers made proof of that by completing 26 of his 39 passes for 396 yards and two scores. The Packers erupted for 426 yards of offense on Atlanta, which is 24th in yards allowed this season with 383.4 yards permitted per contest.
It won't be easy for Atlanta during the next two weeks before its bye, as the Falcons are slated to face both Carolina and Detroit before resting up in Week 8. Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton has been putting up huge numbers through the air, while the Lions have one of the best wide receivers in the game in Calvin Johnson.
