Tebow defies experts, all explanations
ORLANDO, Fla. – Let’s root for chaos, shall we?
Let’s hope that all those nerdy draftniks, know-it-all talking heads on ESPN, and NFL icons like John Elway squirm as their myopic view of the world gets Tebowed.
Let’s root for the Denver Broncos to win the 2012 Super Bowl.
It will be Armageddon Day in the NFL.
I’m not a Broncos fan. I’m not even one of those fanatical Tebow loyalists. As noted before, Timmy can be terrible and he can be terrific. Both statements are true, given his skill sets.
But you have to root for the story, and there isn’t a better narrative than a guy who has issues throwing a 10-yard out going to the mecca of modern NFL quarterbacks in Indianapolis and winning the Super Bowl at Peyton’s Place.
It is better than Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers going undefeated and making the 17-0 1972 Miami Dolphins eat humble pie instead of sipping champagne.
It is better than Brady’s bunch winning it all again in New England.
It is better than the uppity Raiders winning another Super Bowl for dearly-departed Al Davis baby!
It’s funny how the polarizing discussion about Tebow has gone from “he will never start”… to “he will never win a game” … to “he will never win a Super Bowl.”
Tebow has crushed the odds on the first two assumptions, and I wouldn’t want to bet against him as the Broncos seem bound and determined to ride the Tebow Train into the playoffs. They are 5-1 with Tebow as a starter, and only one game behind Oakland in the AFC West.
Tebow goes for a 6-1 run when the Broncos face the Minnesota Vikings and Christian Ponder today. Ponder, a rookie from FSU, is going to be a star on Sundays. He fits the NFL prototype of a pocket passer with excellent arm strength.
The guy playing QB for the other side is none of that. The Broncos have tailored their offense around Tebow’s strengths … the ability to run the ball, improvise, and his leadership skills.
Denver has an excellent defense and a solid running game behind Willis McGahee. Tebow is the caretaker, chugging along slowly until the fourth quarter, when crazy stuff happens. The offense opens up, Tebow starts making plays, and the Broncos win again. And it’s not as if Tebow has this great arsenal of weapons. Anyone else notice that the Broncos traded Brandon Lloyd to St. Louis four games into the season? Lloyd had a blow-up year in 2010, with 77 catches for 1,448 yards and 11 TDs.
Lloyd is gone and the Broncos are next-to-last in passing offense. But they remain the BCS-bustin’ franchise of the NFL.
It’s all confusing to stodgy great minds of the Sunday league, who don’t know what to make of Denver’s option/spread offense.
Denver’s offense will not spur the usual copycat playbooks because Tebow is unique. You can only run that offense with one guy.
“There is an ideological debate happening at Dove Valley and all around the NFL because of the success that the Broncos are having,” former Broncos tight end Nate Jackson wrote in the Denver Post recently. “They are playing a style of football that conventional football wisdom says is dead in the NFL. In fact, it is foolish to even try. It doesn’t work at this level. It can’t last. Everyone is waiting for it all to end so they can say I told you so.”
But more than a month into this thing, there is only befuddled silence from the nattering nabobs of negativism. Roll tape of previous observations, please:
“Let me put it this way, it’s like drafting a long snapper for a year-and-a-half,” – Colin Cowherd, ESPN blowhard.
“In the NFL, I can’t win with either of those guys right now,” – ESPN analyst Merril Hoge, discussing whether he would prefer to have Tebow or Terrelle Pryor if one of them had to play on his NFL team.
“What about he’s not good enough, Skip?” – ESPN analyst Cris Carter debating with colleague Skip Bayless about Tebow’s NFL potential.
Silencio, por favor.
You’ve had your say. It’s time to shut up and cut your losses.
Chaos, please.