Tebow Couldn’t Pass Hardest Test: Uncertainty In Future?

The swarms of Tim Tebow critics looking for any flaws and shortcomings have every reason to criticize and call him a martyr in any transparency believed during the Tebowmania drama.

In truth, he’s not ready for the challenge to emerge into an elite passer, a public figure – a holy man of faith and strength, leading his team to a 7-1 record since taking over as starting quarterback before the Patriots clinched the AFC East with a 41-23 rout over the flawed Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High late Sunday afternoon.


He can build a children’s hospital in the Philippines, where the star quarterback was born and spent time doing plenty of missionary work for poverty-stricken children. He can visit inmates incarcerated in prisons with his bible and lift downed spirits – become a motivational speaker for those in need of guidance or inspiration to alleviate one’s soul. He can kneel on the sideline, close his eyes in his usual prayer stance and point skyward after completing a touchdown as a polarizing figure based on his evangelism and Christianity. And, nonetheless, bigots and sports atheists continue to debate if his gestures are really genuine, a religious act known as “Tebowing.”

The doubters believe Tebow won’t ever be an elite passer, so help me God – rooting for him to fail rather than achieve in the National Football League, not sold on his potential in developing into a consistent deliverer in the most important role of a team sport. The fact that ESPN analyst Merril Hoge criticized Tebow via Twitter and doesn’t think very highly of his ability to establish himself as a competent NFL quarterback, known as a devout Christian more than he is as an iconic star in Denver, Tebow has silenced non-believers in recent weeks and had the best passing game in his career. Except one can argue that Tebow, who is ridiculed because of his public faith, has not improved his arm strength, footwork and precision.

The ultimate perception is that he finally looked like a passer with sheer accuracy on mid-range slants and sideline patterns and, as a result, he finished 11-of-22 for 194 yards and even gained 93 yards rushing on 12 carries. The guy, I have to mention, rarely gets a breather from the media coverage he receives each week, absorbing the national spotlight from all the publicity of his Christian beliefs. There’d be no comebacks, no miracles, not even a last-second prayer in what might have been a signature game had he carried the Broncos to a statement win over the Patriots.

“I feel like we’ve gotten better throwing the ball,” Tebow said. “We were able to do some good things but then we got behind and started pressing a little bit.”

It’s so much as if the Broncos can’t pull tricks out of Tebow’s helmet. It’s so much as if no magic is left in a storybook season. But even though the Broncos were no match for the Patriots, a team of NFL royalty capping one of the greatest dynasties in sports, they are on the verge of earning their first playoff appearance in six years. Entering the game with a six-game winning streak, Tebow finally had his real test, and after he led the hottest team in football, he convinced national television viewers to believe in a miraculous run.

This one draws further debate, more attention in the wave of insanity, questioning his abilities to perform as a top quarterback in the league. He has become an exalted icon or a polarizing athlete in which he is either loved or loathed and led his team to new heights, with good character and humility, a modest son – a patron saint teased by doubt but strong with his faith.

It feels like a miracle if he rallies the Broncos to a victory, all because he competes with heart, mental toughness, work ethic and character, a trend many fans became accustomed to every week. The bashing is unfairly, as far as we know, targeted at Tebow simply for the fact that he is the starting quarterback and bears a tremendous amount of pressure as much hype swirls around him.

Unfair as it is, realizing that Tebowmania is killing off the Bieber Fever, he is treated as if he’s the football god or even a public enemy. For those who believe prematurely, without any evidence whether his future in Denver is certain, he’s not fully developed and still needs growth to eliminate flaws in his game. Yes, he has the potential, just not right now, looking like a beat up rag doll. The Patriots, one of the winningest franchises of this generation, physically harassed and knocked Tebow down. He was sacked four times and was hit frequently while in the pocket, unsuccessful scrambling and breaking away from the pressure of a lethargic and atrocious defense.

It was absolutely painful to watch, but we've witnessed the real Tebow and seen the Patriots crafty defensive performance, the best they’ve had all season. The Patriots, as it turns out, were prepared to stop Tebow in the spread option and delayed the emergence of a football star, a pious figure who is the cure to humanity of a political, mentally disturbed, angry, economic-battered society. This game started nicely for Tebow early. It happened in the first quarter when he raised momentum and when New England had almost sacked him for a 3-yard loss, but he broke loose and bulled to the end zone from 9 yards out, storming in.

As anyone familiar with his athleticism, Broncos head coach John Fox runs the spread, a formation that is highly unusual in the pros. But the system fits Tebow’s style, simply for his versatility and speed – including Denver’s committed rush attack. This was anybody’s game from the start and there was a possibility that the Broncos could have beaten New England and its lousy defense. For a while there, he was running through the holes, running all over the Patriots but of course head coach Bill Belichick had his players spend last week watching film and preparing rigidly for Tebow and the Broncos old school offense.

By the end of the first-quarter, in what was the most rushing yards the Broncos have had in the first quarter in over two decades, Denver had 157 rushing yards and a 13-7 lead. The talk couldn’t hush about Tebow, the most controversial athlete in America, but then Patriots veteran quarterback Tom Brady shouted and fiercely spiked the ball in front of the stands where spectators looked on and carried his team. The extremism follows Tebow wherever he goes. A star was born, and although he’s an ultimate competitor, the Patriots were winners by reading his ball fakes and by putting hard hits on him.

For much of this one, he was forced to throw more as the Patriots made the running routes difficult and life miserable for Tebow, in which he gradually was better in the passing game. That defensive game plan was useful and wisely thought of and Tebow danced in the pocket, running wildly and confused. Late in the game, it was already a blowout when Tebow dropped back into his own end zone. It was Pats' defenders rushing and harassing him, and he lost the football, only to retrieve the ball and throw it away to avoid the safety.

Don’t say ever, but he’s not there yet. Tebow still needs to develop, if he ever wants to be an elite quarterback. He has potential, but he just doesn't have it now and it showed on a day that tested his toughness and ability.

He’s not Tebowing just yet.

Time to Jump On Board for Tebowmania

With the faith of Tim Tebow comebacks, the strength of his leadership that has brought the Broncos together and his maturity, the Tebowmania buzz of the NFL has swept the nation. The buzz is felt throughout the league, a wave of humanity across not only Denver but the country as fans either glorify or denounce him – raving about his recent fruition or failures.

The finest story in professional sports is Tebow, and debates are buzzing everywhere whether he’s a useful piece in the Broncos’ future. He now qualifies as the most endearing/disdained athlete in sports, a man who once traveled to the Philippines during spring break and summer vacations to help circumcise forlorn children, a man who visited prisons with his bible to share the word and lift the spirits of inmates. He heard the criticism from skeptics, ignored it, took it as motivation and has responded to the negativity each week, leading the Broncos to a 7-1 record since taking over as the starting quarterback.

It almost feels like a surprise, a mirage we never had in mind, refusing to give Tebow the benefit of the doubt. And to think it was supposed to be a disaster in Denver this season, a moment that he proved non-elite among quarterbacks, he has been flawless, a public figure bringing a sense of happiness and charm. It’s been a spectacular coming out party for Tebow, engineering the Broncos to first place in the AFC West following a 1-4 start. It’s a marriage of humility and sheer resiliency. Denver needs him, and they love him in their town, greeting the gracious athlete with idolatry as he gives back to a football-obsessed town that long awaited a playoff-caliber team.

This is what sports needs, a modest public figure, a likable role model whose vows to children are touching in our tangled, cuckoo society. If only we can throw Tebow into a clone machine, multiple Tebows would act as the cure to humanity, strengthen humankind and heal the corruption in this troubled world. This is what sports needs, a kindhearted celebrity whose love is contiguous at Denver and around the country to rid the negativity that sports has become, from the steroid crisis in baseball to the benches-clearing brawls in college hoops to problematic jailbirds in pro football.

It’s time we, in America, come to our senses and jump on board of the Tebow bandwagon and go places we’ve never been before, because each week it seems he conducts a magical comeback to lead the Broncos. In case you’ve missed it, although it has been heavy talk in recent weeks, he’s improved greatly as a starter and has become the bard of comebacks, which is unprecedented and unique in a sense. Quarterbacking Denver in its improbable run, he has become the first quarterback in NFL history with six fourth-quarter comebacks in his first 11 starts, and just the second quarterback with four straight fourth-quarter wins since Peyton Manning had set the incredible plateau in 2009.

If you believe and have faith, like Tebow, then life is more than just an illusion but reality. If you have trust, like Tebow, then optimism leads to greatness. His faith gives him a competitive edge and — as a devout Christian — he is credited more as the most evangelistic figure, just as much as he is polarized for publicly expressing his religious views. The criticism was even slightly amiable, though a majority still questions his performance and doubt that he will ever amount to excellence and evolve into an elite passer. This season, as the Broncos are in their quest to advance past the season and clinch a playoff berth, Tebow has stolen the limelight and become a political debate in sports, absorbing all the attention even though Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady are having record-breaking seasons.

The journey has been far more bizarre for Tebow anointed by his worshippers and essentially standing as the religious attribute in sports. But his non-believers have articulated that he doesn’t have the intangibles, not amazed by his arm strength, precision or footwork and not even his religious beliefs – among them – is Broncos former quarterback Jake Plummer, who recently shared his thoughts on Tebow’s success.

“Regardless of whether I wish he’d just shut up after a game and go hug his teammates, I think he a winner,” Plummer said. “I think that when he accepts the fact that we know that he loves Jesus Christ, then I think I’ll like him a little better.”

The time to like him a little better is now. Just because he deeply praises Jesus Christ, doesn’t mean you have to disdain Tebow, even if he publicizes his Christianity. He begins his postgame interviews by thanking “my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” When he finishes his postgame interviews, he tells the reporter, “God Bless.”

And so Tebow’s faith with his overzealous religion, a holy man loved or loathed, is partly why we root for him.

HOW can you simply not root for Tebow?

Tebow Quiets His Doubters

It’s a good thing Denver is that much closer to heaven. For although the Mile High City is closer to heaven, for a humbled specimen who strongly worships God, Tim Tebow feels he’s closer to home, a place he embraces dearly.

He won the game for the Broncos, praising the man above, quieting his critics in a prime time showdown against the Jets. While many people doubted him, cynics who were never too fond of the unproven star, those folks are now dropping their jaws, watching an evangelistic figure install trust and faith within an organization that suddenly welcomes Tebow with open arms.

That’s because he’s producing wins, and even as a prolific quarterback, has uplifted promise and buoyancy. In Tebow we trust – in Tebow Denver trust, a community impressed by his work ethic and attitude to win games, entering each week with a sense of humility and poise.

But across the country, he’s probably the most polarizing athlete who is denied, despite that he is truly a hero in a fun-loving town where the population reveres football as a ritual – like a religion almost only one known as Tebow Mania.

With 58 seconds left, he saw the blitz, he saw the bull-rushing defenders storming toward him, and then cut back and darted past Jets’ defenders into the end zone. Whether you doubt him or endorse him, and believe he’s not good enough to be a quarterback, think again.

Watching the breathtaking finish, Broncos’ fans had a wild party in the stands – loud chants were heard throughout the stadium, the kind of decibels that rattled a feverish crowd. This after Tebow stood as a hero on the night he proved he was capable of being a star in this league.

That star was born when he escaped the hurried pressure, stormed his way past defenders and safety Eric Smith and ran into the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown score, a game-winning play that negated doubt and criticism.

“We have a resilient team,” Tebow said after the Broncos 17-13 win over the Jets.

He brings a fairy tale feel to the folks in Denver, the same people who begged for head coach John Fox to play the kindhearted and zealous quarterback. This choice is benefiting Denver in every sense, from its revenue, inflating through the presence of an iconic figure as people in support of the Broncos purchase his No. 15 jerseys, buy tickets for games to witness Tebow close and personal and worship the burgeoning star who is fun to watch. He sent, in hindsight, the Broncos a third straight victory, and now they are 4-1 since Tebow replaced Kyle Orton.

In most cases, not advertised as a franchise quarterback with his unbalanced throwing motion, by being an aggressor set on that he can lead the Broncos, he works harder each day and spend ample time in the weight room. In one of the most exciting finishes, Tebow is unsatisfied, anxious to watch film and evaluate what he can accomplish and where he can improve in his game.

The impact of his confidence and heroics lifted the Broncos, but it’s not good enough for Tebow. He’s not being ungrateful, a blessed man who is thankful for his heroism and dexterity, but he is willing to arrive for practice the next day and improve his mechanics to eventually evolve into an elite quarterback. But even so, he is unselfish not only thinking about himself and instead aiming to produce wins for his teammates and the coaching staff which actually believes in him.

It’s hard to sugarcoat, for what’s been an experiment as the Broncos were able to find out what Tebow had to offer, that he’s a gifted football player with intangibles, fortitude and personality in leading his team. It’s always a feel-good story anytime an athlete or role model influence kids with his mellifluous messages that eloquently sends powerful advice to children.

It’s always a feel-good story anytime a beloved athlete is embraced, not only for his intrepidity on the field but his encouragement to give back to others, such as preaching to inmates in prisons, donating to charities, circumcising children in the Philippines where he’s done plenty of missionary work. It’s always a feel-good story anytime a man is loved for, not only being a star player but announcing his foundation was building a children’s hospital in the Philippines.

On that final drive, as the clock ran down, Tebow crossed the goal line for the game-winner, one fans in Denver will talk about for decades to come. If there was anyone more exhilarated, it was John Elway standing and applauding his second-year quarterback after an incredible finish.

Maybe it was good to make a transition from Orton to Tebow, now that the Broncos have won three games in 12 days and have the best 5-5 record, currently at .500 and moved within the AL West division race.

If not for Tebow, this game was boring to watch. If not for him, this game was putting everybody to sleep. If not for Tebow, it was more fun to stare at people in a pie eating competition, rather than spend so much time watching two mediocre teams try to find themselves.

God bless the 95-yard drive. That set up Tebow’s remarkable run to the end zone, but more importantly, it quieted all his doubters, his skeptics who said he’d never be NFL-caliber. Proves they were wrong. Proves he is stunning the entire world with his wills.

Proves he is stunning the entire world with his stamina and speed. Proves he is succeeding effectively like when he led Florida to back-to-back national championships, won a Heisman award and lastly was selected by the Broncos in the 2010 NFL Draft.

“I said before, I trust him. I trust him with everything,” teammate Von Miller said about Tebow. “No matter how many interceptions he throws, no matter how many touchdowns he throws. I’m going to ride him to the end. I hope he shut up a bunch of his critics today.”

I think he has silenced many of his critics.

Evidently so, he is the devout Christian who advertises his faith, defying wisdom and all odds that quiets many disbelievers. The time came when he was built to bull his way into the corner of the end zone and celebrate with his exhilarating teammates. Running a rare style of offense, a description the other quarterbacks are not exploiting in their game plans, Tebow has functioned brilliantly and completed 9 of 20 passes for 104 yards Thursday night.

Given that he has produced three fourth-quarter comeback victories in his eight overall starts, which he is becoming a clutch performer in the league and urging us to witness miraculous finishes, Tebow is the star in the Broncos future.

“You got to give the kid credit,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said unsurely.

Yes, he deserves all credit. He doesn’t deserve criticism, but regards and appreciation. Fair enough.

This, however, was a lousy game to begin and the Broncos played like they were on a planet called the Lost World. The Broncos sputtered offensively, for the first 54 minutes and advanced within scoring position multiple times but only came away with three points. The lone touchdown came by Andre Goodman’s 26-yard interception return. Later on, Jets’ Nick Folk drilled a 45-yard field goal that broke a 10-10 tie.

That’s when the Broncos’ fans waited patiently for Tebow to create magic and indeed he rebounded with the last laugh on the night. But not before Eddie Royal called for a fair catch on a punt at the Broncos 5-yard line with 5:54 remaining. It was all on Tebow, and again, he prevailed. For a series of plays, he completed a pass for 8 yards to Royal on first down and Tebow ran for 15 yards.

It’s as if angels were with him at every step of the way, throwing another pass for 9 yards and advanced out to the Broncos 37. And yet, after he completed some passes, Tebow rushed for yards and connected on an 18-yard throw. Everyone was left to wonder, until he pushed to the 20 and then leveled his way into the end zone.

It’s definitely fair to admit that he’s also getting help from his supporting cast and the Broncos’ defense has played sensationally. In the end, he was mobbed by his teammates and fans chanted proudly. Shortly after, he dropped to one knee and sent his thanks to the man above by saying a brief prayer.

“In Tebow we trust.”

Yes, in Tebow they trust.

Tebow, Broncos' Fans Won't Be Given the Wish

The problem with Tim Tebow isn't based on his faith or Christianity. Aside from his good character, convincing work ethic of feasibly adapting to a pro-style offense, he leaves us pondering if he has the throwing motion and precision in the reality of elevating his arsenal and manhood, and it's not because of his overexposed humility that he's unworthy of being the starting quarterback.

This endless quarterback controversy has been the prelude of another ruckus in Denver, an overblown predicament for a franchise, once credited for its prestige and usual traits of acquiring Super Bowl victories. It wouldn't be too sassy to oust or even lose faith on Timothy Richard Tebow, abstaining from his availability and talents of versatility, stamina and agility, a knack to conspicuously give off a better description.

The fans winced when Kyle Orton, projected to be starting quarterback for the season-opener to end the popularity contest, notified enthusiastic fans in a rabid sports town that insulted the average supporter, I suspect, when he rudely said they don't enter into consideration much.

Seriously, Kyle? I mean, really?

So now that he has won the top quarterback spot for the Denver Broncos, he's found bliss when the fans weren't partly responsible for the team's decision in choosing a quarterback. With that in mind, however, he's never won the kindness of the Broncos fans, and because he's not convincing by many in the Mile High City, he'll need to win the fans back.

"Thank God the people (fans) don’t make the decisions," Orton told the Denver Post. "That’s really all I got to say about it. My last goal as quarterback is to win over the fans, that is my last goal."

Perhaps, he does have a way he can win the fans back, you know. That is, obviously, winning football games and carrying the Broncos to the playoffs would definitely earn back the fans.

These are the same people who've lobbied for Tebow in accepting the responsibility of the tough assignment at the quarterback position after working out and practicing diligently to earn the full-time job as the starting quarterback. It's almost understandable to feel sorry for Orton, the pariah in Denver as fans have converted into Tebow fans.

If he wasn't one of the most beloved players in the NFL, since he entered the NFL as a popular phenom and a two-time national champion at the University of Florida, an illustrious institution of the Southeastern Conference, Orton would never had been mentioned in trade proposals as he was so heavily.

There is, however, more reason now than ever to grasp a sense that Tebow is not ready for the challenge in a football-oriented town, but the fans believe he's ready to be named the starter. It might seem as though that he's worthy for the toughest task on the field, but apparently the front office is not impressed with the improvement of his accuracy and mechanics. As of now, Orton gives Denver the best chance in winning games and it is now rational to judge that the Broncos can easily win the AFC West if they have the fitted pieces.

It's just a popular athlete, I assume, perpetrated to create a wave of propaganda in Denver, and just about every day, he is respectfully increasing his celebrity in a town where the fans have welcomed Tebow with opened arms -- already calling him the next franchise player -- since John Elway of course -- in his craft to engineer a franchise still needing much growth. So what do people in Colorado want from the well-known hero, despite that he may not be the starter for the 16-game season?

He has found a home near the Rocky Mountains, adoration when all he had was the population back in Florida -- Gator Nation -- and, more than ever, he had his loyal family, along with the voters on the night he stood on stage to receive the most prestigious award in college football. It was the stiff-armed trophy that may have even hinged regards and eminence.

In this game, nowadays, it really depends on what the fans are asking for, to satisfy the ticket buyers. It's because, as we all know, fans are like customers in this business. We barely even notice these days, no matter if someone is amiss on a specific subject, but the purchaser is always right. That goes for the fans as well, a customer to an extent, inexplicably spending huge wealth on sports events with one's heart and soul all attached to their local franchises within a town where most residents pride themselves on sports.

What the Broncos' supporters want, of course, is the stiff-armed, almighty and explosive quarterback of passion and prodigy to be named the starter and play this season. It could happen suddenly, a Tebow experiment, just to evaluate what the team has in the famous quarterback. He can survive a contest and stand on turf without getting knocked down, having much physique and quickness to take on hits and force miss tackles from the opposing team.

By now, anyway, everybody knows of Tebow and most football observers even notice how the world pays attention when he's nearly becoming one of the finest names in pro football, liked so much for his practice of religion and humbleness as a more benevolent human being who happens to love his relationship with Jesus and his family more than football.

He was standing at midfield amid training camp, engulfed by thousands of fans curious to know if Tebow can be worthy of leading the Broncos rebuilt culture after the crowds at Broncos' Dove Valley headquarters were donning a bevy of Tebow jerseys. Is it just me, or is Orton the minority in Denver?

It certainly seems like he's the disregarded quarterback, when in reality, he's truly the regarded player -- for playing like the best gunslinger in training camp, for intriguing new Broncos' head coach John Fox. His semblance is what identifies Tebow as a praiseworthy quarterback, of course, as he is idolized as a role model from his charity efforts by visiting inmates in prisons or helping circumcise Filipino children during his missionary work.

And this time, we thought he would emerge into a star, much like the achievements in his collegiate career when he become the only player ever in NCAA history to score 20 touchdowns rushing and 20 touchdowns passing in the same season. He could have used the I-want-to-be-traded excuse. Or play the sit-and-wait game.

At least, he has struck me as a man who could be a starting quarterback in this league, a unique pass thrower with an erratic jump pass and excellent leadership. In many ways, he's very poise and crafty with the ball, taking the snaps and calling the plays for a high-powered offense.

But it wasn't Fox's decision to draft Tebow -- and instead -- it was his predecessor Josh McDaniels who believed in him and had chosen to take a risky gamble on an unproven draftee that had plenty of flaws in his throwing mechanics and accuracy, even though he had already shown his mobility and quickness to be efficient in open field.

"Right now, Kyle Orton is our starter," Fox told reporters. "I don't think we'll really figure it out until we start competing. It's a group of three that are very capable. We have a young guy, high draft pick, in Tim Tebow who got his feet wet last year toward the end of the season. And then, shoot, Brady Quinn I'm looking forward to seeing."

The question is can he accomplish it with an elite pro franchise? Actually we can't deny that Tebow has much potential, after all. So maybe it wasn't such a faulty choice to draft Tebow 25th overall in the first round of the NFL Draft.

This is particularly not true for a new head coach, uncomfortable telling fans that the quarterback of the future isn't the endearing athlete everybody had in mind. If things go well early, Fox could be portrayed as an expert in football, having confidence in Orton.

The truth is, no matter how much Tebow is anointed in Denver while the fans implore for the Broncos to reward him the starting job as quarterback, Orton had 41 touchdowns and 7,455 yards over the past two seasons and he still is disrespected and insulted in the mind of the crowd in Denver.

Perhaps just as worse, booed when he failed to push the ball into the end zone from the 9-yard line in training camp scrimmage as of recently, the fans requested a trade and there were speculates that he would have been dealt to the Miami Dolphins. In the meantime, there is much work to be done and Fox is aiming for a fresh beginning in Denver.

As we've seen, Tebow Mania isn't fading and supporters are anxious to see Tebow earn the starting job, not too happy with an incumbent Orton. The mantra of most fans who don't like Orton want Tebow, who is grandiose in his religion and principles.

It's also evident he was the best high school player in the nation, and translated greatness in college where he nationally made headlines and strengthened his status as one of the most successful players in history, a Christian role model everybody loves to appreciate. Surely, he's a nice person, a modest citizen, a hero on and off the field and a faultless paragon.

What the fans want is Tebow, not Orton. What the fans want is somebody with good character, not somebody with better results.