I have never met one person who does not love Tim Tebow. America has fallen in love with his undying work ethic, professionalism, and devout faith. Anyone who knows football knows that the guy has every intangible needed to lead a team as their field general; but that does not mean he necessarily has the skills. But that's ok: there's a great deal of time for Tebow to get better. Which is why everybody needs to relax about Merril Hoge's criticism.
Hoge's job as an analyst for ESPN is to fairly assess a player or team's performance. What he said about Tebow is his professional opinion, one that has been formed from watching many hours of game film over many years. It won't be the last time Hoge tears a player apart, so just get used to it. Is his criticism correct? I would say so to an extent.
Yes, Tebow probably did have many plays last year where he didn't look like he belonged at the quarterback position. Here's where the catch comes in though: he only started three games and this was his rookie year. Of course he's not going to play very well, especially when he virtually had no running game with the Broncos last year. The guy basically had to make magic happen by himself, which is a tall task for a fresh rookie.
So I'm willing to give him a pass for any mistakes last year. But I cannot sit here and say he deserves to start for Denver this year. As long as Kyle Orton is on that team, he should be the starter. Orton is easily one of the most underrated players in the NFL, a quarterback who does not turn the ball over (only 9 INT's last year) yet still passed for 3,653 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2010. He is not a drama queen, and seems to be getting better and better each year. There is no controversy here; he is way ahead of Tebow when it comes to the skills of the position. If we were talking jersey sales, then it'd be a different conversation.
Here's what Kyle Orton is not; America's sweetheart. We all want to see Tebow succeed. We want to know if he really has it or not. We must witness the moment where he proved all the doubters wrong, the ones who said he would never be a real NFL quarterback. It's even been reported that Denver fans have been going crazy when Tebow makes the slightest hint of a big play in practice. That's how badly they want him to start, because Orton is just too boring.
There is nothing wrong with Tebow sitting though folks. He needs to sit back and absorb every bit of NFL information that comes his way. If he can watch Orton play, and continue to put his nose to the grindstone at practice and in the offseason, then he will get a real shot. Not every quarterback has to be thrown straight into the fire; ask Aaron Rodgers.
So calm down for a minute America. I know this is a blow to your hopes for the Golden Gator, but he has many years left. Don't go insane when someone criticizes him or overly defend him in arguments. He wouldn't even want you to do that because he takes those words and uses them more effectively; as motivation for that one day when his number will be called. All he can do is work and watch; it's for the best.
Very impressive synopsis of the entire Tebow situation out in Denver. Well done Mr. Greever btw I do appreciate reading these each time a new one is posted. Always nice to see such effort and thought put into these controversial sports topics. I love it.
ReplyDeleteWith that being said, I believe Tebow has the intestinal fortitude and intangibles to one day lead the Denver Broncos to a place they have not been in years. I am not saying it will be this year, or even next year, but sometime within the next 7-9 years, I believe we will witness Tebow accomplish more than most people even began to envision him achieving. He just seems to possess that gift of proving the doubters wrong, time and time again. I mean he was as close as it gets to dying at birth for God's sake. He is a living miracle to say the least and I for see nothing short of greatness in his future. Anything less, I believe, isn't even a possibility. His passion for the game is insurmountable and I do understand that this is the NFL; but what many fail to ignore is that Tebow is one of the most gifted athletes of our time.
Many overlook his tremendous abilities because they see a man that can not be denied, a man who can not accept failure, a man who will not accept anything short of greatness. Mentally, we envision Tebow with his elongated throwing motion and automatically deem him as just another one of those studs whose college domination won't quite suffice in the NFL. Look, all I am saying is that regardless of how many times people rip Tebow,or how many times the so called cerebral genius Trent Dilfer or Merril Hoge insults his talents as a quarterback; he will ultimately prove them and everyone else wrong. It's just what he does. It is what makes Tebow, Tebow. It's in his blood, it is what he is. Football inhibits his soul. And I tell ya, if their was a one word definition of what the game of football is in the dictionary. It would read: Football-Tebow.
Thanks Steele. And I agree with you 100 percent about what he brings to any team. If given the time, I think he could become something special. He's definitely one of the more intriguing athletes of our time as well
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