There are many people in the world of sports that consider themselves experts. You see them on television, listen to them on the radio, and read what they have to say in newspapers. Since Tim Tebow completed his senior season at the University of Florida there have been lots of experts voicing their opinions. They said that he'd never be selected in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. The experts showed they aren't perfect prognosticators when the Denver Broncos selected Tebow with the 25th pick of the first round.
As expected, Tebow spent most of his rookie season as the backup to Kyle Orton. He saw some action in short yardage and goal line situations. Ran for a few short touchdowns and even tossed a short touchdown pass on his first NFL attempt. Denver turned to Tebow to start the final three games of 2010 after Orton and the Broncos stumbled to a 3-10 record, dead last in the AFC West. Tebow went 1-2 in his three starts, completing just under 50% of his passes with four touchdowns and three interceptions and a passer rating of 82.1. Pedestrian statistics and plenty of rookie mistakes, but that's what should be expected of a young quarterback. In his lone victory, he rallied the Broncos from a 23-10 deficit to Houston by throwing and running for two scores in the final 11 minutes giving the Broncos a 24-23 win.
Tebow's 2011 began with many questions as well. Should he be the starter? The experts said no, once again. The Broncos' coaching staff apparently agreed as Tebow was dropped to third on the depth chart behind Orton and Brady Quinn. The Broncos started slowly again in 2011 under Orton and while trailing San Diego 23-10 at halftime, Tebow was called on again to take the reins starting the second half. Tebow engineered two second half touchdown drives and had his last chance pass fall incomplete in the end zone as the Broncos fell 29-24.
Tebow was named the starter on Monday and all the experts came out again to bash him.
How many of you get this fired up for a team that's lost 16 of their last 21 games?
Now I'll be the first to admit, I don't believe Tebow is never going to be Joe Montana, Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. I will say it's time for the experts to let the guy have a chance before the bash him anymore. If he fails, they can gloat all they want, but if he proves them wrong, they should apologize to him publicly since they have tried writing off his career before it even has a chance.
Tebow isn't your typical pocket QB, but there have been plenty of successful NFL quarterbacks that used their other athletic abilities to lead teams to victories on the field. And there's those intangibles experts like to talk about. He's a great teammate from everyone you ask. He's a monster in the workout room. He's a winner. In his three years as a starter for the Gators he posted a 35-6 record, winning the Heisman Trophy and a National Championship. He puts points on the scoreboard, as he tossed 88 touchdowns and rushed for another 57. Yes, college isn't the NFL, but so far at the pro level he's accounted for 13 TD's in 12 games.
For whatever reason, the running athletic quarterback has always been knocked at the NFL level. The experts say they can't succeed. Well, experts let me prove you wrong with four names: Randall Cunningham, Fran Tarkenton, Steve Young and Michael Vick. All four known as mobile, athletic quarterbacks, and with the exception of Young (who didn't start full time until he was 30, while learning behind Hall of Famer Joe Montana), all completed less than 60% of their passes.
W-L-T Comp. % Pass yards
TD/INT Rushes-Yards TD
Tarkenton 124-109-6 57.0 47003 342/266 675-3674 32
Cunningham 82-52-1 56.6 29979 207/134 775-4928 35
Young 94-49-0 64.3 33124 232/107 722-4239 43
Vick 47-35-1 55.8 15945 101/65 690-4948 32
They all had winning records. Young won a Super Bowl. Tarkenton started three Super Bowls, but came away without winning the big one. Cunningham led his team to the playoffs eight times. Vick has been to the playoffs in four of his eight years as a starter, and has years left to play still.
Now I'm not proclaiming Tebow as the next in this line of great athletic signal callers. Maybe he will be. Maybe he won't. At the very least, he's earned the chance to prove to every expert that says, "he can't do it", that he can. One thing I can guarantee is that Tebow will give every ounce of sweat to helping the Broncos win each and every week. That's what happens when you put your heart into doing what you love most.
I'm behind you, Tim. I'm no expert, but I'll at least give you a chance.
