Can Tebow Succeed?

    Tim Tebow is the most talked about player in the NFL today. Even with historic performances by Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and even Eli Manning. Yet it seems like when you turn on the television, all you see is Tebow. Many people love it, they love seeing him succeed, and they eat up every bit of Tebowmania they can get. Then you have the other crowd. The crowd that loves to Hate Tim Tebow. I think I fall somewhere in the middle of that bunch. The hate, contrary to popular opinion does not have anything to do with the religious views of Tim Tebow. It is not because he is a bad person. The Tim Tebow hate, in my opinion, more stems from the fact that we are all sick and tired of hearing about Tim Tebow. Now that it is not Tebow's fault that the media has taken him by storm. Although, I do believe he brought the criticism onto himself. Many players are open regarding their faith, many players openly pray in the end zone before each game. Although the polarizing manner in which Tebow goes about his business sets him a part from the rest of the league. Anyways, back to what matters, his play on the field. That is where you have to be objective. Tim Tebow at one point last Sunday was 7 for 25 passing. Through almost 55 minutes of football, Tim Tebow was simply bad. His team was down to a Bears team who was missing it's starting Quarterback, missing it's best player and star running back Matt Forte, and playing on the road in a very hostile stadium full of rowdy mountain folk. Now Cutler and Forte being out has no direct result on the play of Tebow. Although the Bears inept offense gave Tebow plenty of chances with the ball in very good field position. Again and Again Tebow failed to move the offense. His passes were wide, high, he looked flustered under pressure, he seemed to lack awareness of pressure. Then, with the game on the line down 10-0 late in the 4th the entire NFL sat back and held their breath. It was Tebow Time. All of a sudden the seemingly inept Tebow found his stride. He was elusive in the pocket. Accurate with his passes. Smart with the ball. Yes the Denver defense forced Marion Barber out of bounds late in the game, a huge play which stopped the clock that Chicago other wise would have been able to run out. Sure the Denver defense again made a big play forcing Marion Barber to fumble near midfield, setting Tebow up in great field position. Yes, Matt Prater made 2 long field goals, 1 from 59 yards at the end of regulation to force overtime. And another long field goal in overtime to win the game. But all of this was set up by the late resurgence of Tim Tebow. Although, I don't think we should get too far ahead of ourselves. The reason the Broncos were down 10-0 in the first place was due to the ineptitude of Tebow as a passer. He was again and again set up in great field position and was able to do nothing with it. The end verdict on Tim Tebow is simple. It is too early to tell. This season it would be wrong to write off what he has done. It would also be wrong to not give credit where credit is due. The credit largely belongs to the Denver defense, Matt Prater, and Marion Barber on two occasions. While in the end success and failure ultimately falls on the starting Quarterback. This year, yes the Broncos have won with Tebow as the starting Quarterback. He deserves credit for that. In the future, is Tim Tebow the franchise Quarterback their fan base so badly wants him to be? All signs point to No. John Elway and John Fox even after a 6 game winning streak still don't seem set. Avoiding the question or giving very shallow answers when asked about Tebow's future. This writers opinion? Wait and see. In the end it will unfold as it should. Tebow will either play his way into the franchise QB role, or he will play his way out. At this point, it seem as though the latter is the case. 

-Tim Hooper