First off, let me just say that I apologize to anybody who has come back to this blog for frequent posts. The first semester of college got the best of me, as I was a bit too busy to continue to write often. But I'm going to try and write more next semester and stay current. I love writing about sports too much to stay away from it for too long. On that note, on to one of many topics I plan on addressing this week: Tim Tebow.
On Sunday, the fabulous Florida man led another terrific game-tying drive to send the Denver Broncos' game against the Chicago Bears into overtime. Even before that, Tebow went 7-7 on a drive to bring the Broncos within three, hitting Demaryius Thomas on a touchdown pass, after not completing a pass in the second and third quarter. He would eventually lead Denver down the field in overtime to put them in position for the game-winning field goal, sending Bronco nation into what seems to be their umpteenth frenzy after another exasperating comeback by their team.
Now I just told you everything Tim Tebow did at his position of quarterback to help the Broncos win that game. But what I left out were the vital contributions that everybody else on Denver made to bring home the victory, most notably the Bronco defense and Matt Prater. The Bronco's defense has been resembling the old Orange Crush glory days of Tom Jackson, consistently stifling teams every week, and the Bears offense faced the same treatment. And when it finally seemed like they were going to be broken in overtime, they pulled out another clutch play, stripping Marion Barber right before he was going to take off and score.
It's about time this defense got the credit it deserved. They have one of the most formidable pass rushes in the league, with imminent Rookie of the Year Von Miller and stud Elvis Dumervil. They are led by veterans like Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins, and most of all? They have bought into their play and truly believe.
The other hero of the day was obviously Matt Prater. After being set up by his quarterback, Prater still had a pretty tough kick to drill, even in the thin Rocky Mountain air of Denver. But from 59 yards, with the division lead on his foot, Prater rocketed the ball through the uprights with as much poise as a Jordan jumper. You didn't even need to watch him attempt the 51 yard game winner in overtime; it was through before he kicked it.
So how does this all tie back to Tebow? Well it shows that obviously, Denver's renaissance is a complete team effort. The credit cannot go solely to Tebow. But I will give the man all the credit in the world for contributions to that team that go further than any stat; he's gotten them to believe. Tebow is easily one of the best leaders I have ever seen. His positivity, constant faith, endless drive, and never-say-die mentality are qualities that every coach dies to have in their quarterback. I believe those behavioral traits of him has truly infected the entire team with the same ideas and thoughts. After they've seen him escape more pass rushes and come up big at the end, how could they not buy into it?
As any player would tell you, football is a game where your mental stability and determination has to be at 100% the entire time to be successful. If you're not motivated or let your guard down for one second, you will lose. Letting your guard down does not include making a few negative plays; it comes down if you let those plays tear your confidence down. That's what Tebow has exemplified this season; keeping your confidence for four quarters of football. As long as you have confidence in yourself and others, you will come through when it matters.
That mindset is now the staple of this Denver Bronco team, and head coach John Fox has done a beautiful job of continuing to preach it after seeing his quarterback show why it can be successful. I know so many people who wake up every Monday, see that the Broncos pulled it out somehow, and go on a ridiculous rant about how they are not a good team and that this will die soon. They pull out every excuse in the book to make their case against Tebow. My question to the hater nation is simple; why can't you just enjoy?
I've never been a Bronco fan in my life, but I have had an absolute blast watching this team continuously find a way to win. It can be the ugliest style of football ever played, but the plays these guys are making in clutch-time can be nothing but admired. I cannot recall another team that has recorded so many wins of this kind, and if it continues somehow into playoff success, then you will have the best NFL story in a long time. They are the definition of a true team, and I think can respect that more than simply throwing for 400 yards and putting up 40 points every week. I enjoy watching Denver football more.
Will this dream eventually end? I do think so. There comes a point where a complete game must be played, and you can't just wait until the fourth quarter. But this is all part of a developmental process. Teams start out doing this, and eventually, they figure out how to have the same intensity throughout the entire game. The Broncos have the toughest quarter down to a science; they just need the other three.
At the end of the day, after all of the heated arguments and continuous bashing, all the Broncos need to do is point to their record with Tebow as a starter: 7-1. The guy is winning and has turned the belief of an entire organization around with his demeanor, work ethic, and belief in his teammates. When you can be an inspiration point to other grown men, some who have been in the league for much longer than you, and encourage them to play to their potential, you have done something more worthy than any award. I applaud the Denver Broncos for bringing back something to football that many people always forget; it's a team sport that needs leaders and examples. Keep your eyes on them, because there is one fact I don't think any hater can try and preach; they're the most exciting story in the league until their run ends.
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