In the college recruiting world there are true quarterbacks and then there are athletes. Some players are listed as quarterbacks but aren’t the traditional 35 to 45 attempts per game type. Those are referred to as “athletes”. Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow is an athlete.
He’s not a true quarterback, he’s not even Steve Young, Vince Young or Michael Vick. He’s Tim Tebow. Broncos head coach John Fox said to NFL.com’s Jeff Darlington “Do whatever the hell it takes,” he laughed. “I mean, what the hell? You don’t get points for style in this league. Let me tell you something: My man is really good in this offense. You know what I mean? “If we were trying to run a regular offense, he’d be screwed.”
When Tebow was at the University of Florida under head coach Urban Meyer the Gators ran a spread offense, an offense Tebow thrived in. The offense allowed Meyer to utilize his athletes at runningback as well as Tebow in both the run and pass game. Tebow became one of the most elite quarterbacks, and players to play at the college level because of his success in the spread.
The only problem is the spread offense and quarterbacks that play in it never transition to the NFL style. Alex Smith, another Meyer disciple hasn’t found success until now with head coach Jim Harbaugh who’s turned Smith into a game manager instead of a quarterback. However Smith was a better passer coming out of Utah in 2005 than Tebow was in 2010.
Coming out of Florida Tebow had to change his throwing motion, his delivery and get use to the three, five and seven step drop that is accustom in normal NFL offenses. Former Broncos head coach now St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels drafted Tebow with the 24th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, a lot higher than most expected.
Since being drafted Tebow’s NFL career has been that of a roller coaster. From first round pick to third string on the depth chart to replacing Kyle Orton as Denver’s starting quarterback. The one thing that has been consistent with Tebow has been his character, heart and determination. In the football world he’s considered a “gamer” or “baller”.
Tebow will do whatever it takes to win, even though it won’t look pretty.
Since being officially named the start in week 6 during Denver’s bye week the Broncos have gone 4-1 and are in contention for the AFC West title. While Tebow hasn’t been the driving force behind the recent success he’s done what he’s needed to do to win.
His 20-yard touchdown run with 0:58 seconds left in tonight game against the Jets showed exactly what Tebow is. A winner. While it might not be the prettiest performance Tebow is a proven winner and his game winning touchdown run tonight proved he’s deserving enough to continue starting in Denver.
Call him a “gamer”, “athlete” or “baller” the one name you can always attach with Tim Tebow’s name is winner. Whether or not Tebow remains the teams starter past this season is yet to be determined. Brady Quinn and Kyle Orton are unrestricted free agents and Tebow is currently playing for his future in Denver.
At 5-5 in the AFC West it’s definitely not out of the realm of possibilities that Denver wins the division and hosts a playoff game.
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He has something that most athletes don’t, the will and desire to do “whatever it takes” to win. I found out his motto in life is “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” This says it all and I for one, BELIEVE IN TIM TEBOW.
First off love the name Hawk_Eye for Mash. Yes Tebow is the one quarterback that comes to mind off the top that doesn’t have the Brady/Manning/Rodgers talent but makes up for with with hard work and desire. I completely agree.