Tim Tebow: Five Questions Raised From His Rib Injury

Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos learned the tough lesson that toughness is a rite of passage in the NFL, earned through hard shots that aren't intended for the faint of heart.

One day, Tebow is blasting through defenses at will, parting the sea on his way to touchdown glory. The next, the walls come tumblin' down and take Tim Tebow with them.

Church practices every Sunday, but the hits are as unholy as they come.

Tebow's injury may be disheartening for Denver fans, as there are several questions now at hand.

1. Is He Fearless Or Stupid?

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 01: Tim Tebow #15 of the Florida Gators runs through the defense of the Cincinnati Bearcats during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisana Superdome on January 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Image

It takes a brave man to charge head-first into a group of NFL defensive backs anxiously awaiting the opportunity to put a hurting on Florida’s former golden boy.

Tebow will learn, and fast, that this isn’t the SEC anymore. There are no players who won’t make it to the NFL, because this is the NFL.

The defenses he’ll face in the pros are bigger, faster, and all-around meaner than any he faced in college.

2. Will He Think Twice Before Doing It Again?

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ENGLEWOOD, CO - AUGUST 18: Rookie quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos looks on during training camp practice at Dove Valley on August 18, 2010 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Florida fans were forced to hold their breath time and time again as Tebow threw caution to the wind by pulling the ball down for a run at the defense.

After the severe beating he suffered at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals, will he think twice before making the same decision?

Could this impact his mentality about his own game going forward?

There's no time for second-guessing in the NFL, especially if you're a quarterback running at a defense with the ball in your hands.

3. Will This Be a Recurring Theme?

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CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 15: Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos looks to pass during the preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on August 15, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals won 33-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

With so much pomp and circumstance surrounding Tebow’s collegiate career and subsequent entry into the NFL, some players may be feeling a bit contemptuous toward Denver’s Messiah.

Those players may be looking to hit him as hard as they can because of it.

In fact, Colts DE Dwight Freeney has already expressed interest in putting a hurting on the former Heisman winner. That’s not someone I want gunning for me, personally.

4. Has He Lost the Starting Job to Kyle Orton?

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CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 15: Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos looks to pass during the preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on August 15, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

At this point, Brady Quinn is all but out of the race for the starting quarterback job in Josh McDaniels’ highly complex system.

Many assumed that Kyle Orton would get the job, too, until Tebow flashed potential in practice and in his first preseason game.

Orton's hopes are reaffirmed by the one-year extension he signed less than a week ago.

With the injury sidelining Tebow—at least until McDaniels sees fit—could Orton have locked it up?

This isn’t to say we won’t see Tebow on the field at some point this year, but garbage time is a lot different than starting time.

5. Was This Just the Rude Awakening Tebow Needed?

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Florida Gators warms up on the sidelines before the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisana Superdome on January 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

From a gator in a pond, to a fish out of water. From a God among men, to a rookie among living legends.

It’s all been flash, glory, and hype up to this point. Maybe Tebow had to get jacked up in order to fully comprehend his transition from college to pro.

Maybe this is the type of lick that will toughen Tebow up in the long run rather than make him crawl into a shell.

After all, Tebow has proven that he’s not going to change for anyone—unless it’s his throwing motion for a chance to start at quarterback in the NFL.