Last night on Twitter I wrote "I don't know if the Broncos can win the AFC West with an offense from 1947, but it sure will be fun to watch them try." NFL pundits and analysts have been flabbergasted by the Broncos success with Tim Tebow under center. On SportsCenter, Trent Dilfer was mystified as to how Tebow could essentially play running back for three and a half quarters, then drop an absolute dime to Eric Decker on the touchdown that sealed the game. Hearing the shrieks from the punditsphere (damn skippy I just made that word up) entertains me to no end because the NFL media establishment is entrenched in what their idea of a quarterback should look like and anyone who looks different is emphatically rejected as a potential franchise player.
The basic job of a quarterback is simple: run the offense, avoid negative plays and turnovers, and make big plays when needed. The rest of the operation is more complex than any casual football fan can fathom but the goal is simple: gain yards to get first downs and eventually, touchdowns. Because of the dramatic rule changes since 2004, the NFL has become a perverse down-field passing extravaganza. Ideally, you want a quarterback who can take advantage of this reality but not everyone can find an Aaron Rodgers or a Tom Brady in the draft every year.
The Broncos understand that Tebow will probably never be a guy who can throw forty times a game and win. That doesn't mean that he cannot be a quarterback in the NFL. The definition of what is and is not a quarterback is constantly changing. Tebow can absolutely be successful throwing fifteen to twenty times a game while running ten to fifteen times (assuming he's efficient when he does throw). Two weeks ago against the Raiders, Tebow accounted for 242 total yards and did not turn the ball over. The yards came in an unconventional manner but ten yards is a first down no matter how you get them. For his career, Tebow has averaged 225.75 total yards per game with 20 total touchdowns (12 passing and 8 rushing), 4 interceptions, and 2 fumbles. Those numbers are by no means overwhelming, but for someone with 7 career starts, it is pretty solid.
With Tebow at the helm, the Bronco offense can sometimes look as horrifying as a Nancy Pelosi sex tape but the fact of the matter is that the Broncos are a better offense with him behind center than they were with Kyle Orton. Tebow brings an incredible amount of toughness to the table and the rest of the offense has clearly responded as the Broncos average 5.16 yards per rush with Tebow behind center. Tebow can only grow as a passer (because really, he can't get any worse) and just so long as the Broncos maintain a steady running game, that can only help his passing. Every safety will be closer to the line trying to stop the run and Tebow should see a lot of 1 on 1 coverage in the secondary. If he can make a habit out of completing passes like the one to Decker on Sunday, the Broncos might actually have a franchise quarterback.
Of course, Merril Hodge and his buddies will never admit this until it becomes clear, but that doesn't matter. Tebow has been doubted every step of his career and it has only made him stronger. He has a ways to go as a passer but given his work ethic, I wouldn't bet against him. I could end up eating a great amount of crow for this but I'm going to stay on the Tebow bandwagon; intangibles mean something in the NFL. Tebow can absolutely become a better passer because he possesses the drive to lock himself in a gym until he gets it right. If Tebow becomes a success he will change the way the NFL evaluates quarterbacks forever. It will be very compelling to watch him try and at the end of the day, isn't the "what if" the reason we watch sports in the first place? It may not be pretty, but I am going to be riveted watching the Tebow era unfold in Denver.
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