Matthew Stafford and Tim Tebow: Future MVPs Silence Their Critics

Matthew Stafford and Tim Tebow are two of the hottest names in the NFL right now.

Stafford for going toe to toe with Drew Brees in the NFC Wild Card game. Tebow for his miraculous overtime win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card game. 

This is nothing new. Both players have seen their names in headlines before. Both have seen their share of high praise.

But this year was different. They both faced scrutiny from fans and media that I'll wager they'd never faced before.

These headlines were far from complimentary.

Throughout the year each quarterback was faced with doubt from every direction, but each one for very different reasons.

Matthew Stafford

"How's the shoulder?"

During training camp Stafford was asked this question so much he heard it in his sleep. Or should I say nightmares?

The question was legitimate. Stafford had only played in 13 games his first two seasons due to injury. His shoulder was the main reason.

Although he was billed as the Lions franchise quarterback, Detroit fans and media started to grow weary. How long do you expect people to be satisfied with potential? What started as a whisper about Stafford's durability grew to a scream.

People started to doubt not only his durability, but his toughness and his skill as an NFL quarterback.

Questions surfaced about whether he was in fact a franchise quarterback; if he had the ability to stay on the field and lead a team.

Stafford heard every one of these questions and through gritted teeth answered each one. But words did not satisfy the doubters; only actions would. Stafford needed to play a season injury free and he needed to play at a high level.

Another year of mediocre football, injury free or not, would not lessen the scrutiny. In fact it would make it worse.

A quarterback needed to be on the field consistently, but he also needed to make his team better. The Lions had improved, but not with Stafford taking snaps. Shaun Hill and Drew Stanton won four games at the end of 2010.

At the start of the 2011 regular season, Stafford was facing a do-or-die year. The fans knew it, the media knew it, and they all let Stafford know it.

Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow has never had a significant injury history and so has never missed much game time. In college his talent and leadership were unquestioned. He was, and still is, the most popular athlete in the state of Florida.

Once in the NFL though, Tebow has faced scrutiny about everything; ranging from his ability, his throwing motion, his accuracy, his intelligence, his religion and of course his choice of touchdown celebrations.

Most NFL experts have said, at one time or another, that Tebow is not an NFL-caliber quarterback. Most have downplayed his role in his team's wins. Other's have flat-out labeled him a fraud.

Sure Tebow has his supporters. They're as rabid as his detractors. Both sides have had their fair share of delusional Tebow moments.

When it comes down to it though, the negative-nellies are the ones that make the most noise; and the most headlines.

From the time Tebow took over as the starting quarterback in week three, there was a never ending tide of anti-Tebow sentiment flowing from just about every media outlet.

His games were dissected on ESPN. Talking heads couldn't wait to critique his play. Players like the Chicago Bears Brian Urlacher gave him no respect, referred to him as, "a pretty good running back". Even his own team's general manager, John Elway, would not jump off the fence and support him.

It didn't matter that he won games. People chalked it up to luck. According to just about everyone, 2011 would be Tebow's chance to audition for a job that he had no chance of winning.

Doubters Silenced....

The nice thing about the NFL, and most professional sports, is that film don't lie. What I mean is, eventually if you're good enough, doubters will have no choice but to either admit they're wrong or just plain shut up.

Such is the case with Tebow and Stafford.

Both gave their doubters a swift kick in the pants with their play on the field this year. People who continue to ask the same questions and cast the same doubt simply look like simpletons arguing that the earth is really flat.

For Stafford, the durability issue seems like a distant memory. He took the hits, landed on his shoulder, got back up and played. He was fearless in the pocket. He sacrificed himself for his team. Just look at his touchdown dive against New Orleans.

He even played injured. While battling a broken finger, Stafford donned gloves and powered through. He played his worst football of the year, but hey, don't question the guys toughness.

The irony? His doubters were even stronger during this three-game span. Sure he was playing through an injury, but he was playing badly.

You just can't please anyone can you?

Tebow has simply persevered in the face of unprecedented negativity. His presence lifted Denver to places no one thought they'd reach.

Yet, people still argue that Denver wins games in spite of Tebow.

How many times does the man have to lead his team to a win in the fourth quarter before people give him his due? His spectacular pass to Demaryius Thomas to beat the Steelers was the ultimate "in your face" moment.

Although Tebow will never say that. He takes the humble, team first approach.

With that play—and that win—Tebow has assured that he will be back next year as Denver's starting quarterback. He's earned it and no one can dispute that.

....For Now

Today, the critics are silent. They have nothing to gripe about. Stafford's first full season was a huge success. His numbers were on par with Brees, Brady and Rodgers and it was only his first complete year as a pro.

Tebow just pulled off the most surprising NFL playoff win since the Giants upset the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII; and it was because of his arm they won. Not despite it.

Next year is a new year though.

Stafford can already see his critics circling overhead like vultures; waiting for another injury to sideline him; waiting for him to fall back down to earth.

Tebow, perhaps more than Stafford, will face a new barrage of slings and arrows. He seems to polarize the masses like no one else.

Regardless, these two athletes will continue to excel. They will lead their teams to success in the future and they will exceed all expectations. More than they have already.

That is truly the only way keep their critics quiet.