Tim Tebow: Ranking His 7 Biggest Bashers

Arguably the biggest sports story of the 2011 calender year and still going strong in 2012, to say that Tim Tebow has garnered some publicity doesn't do any justice to Tebowmania.

The man has been criticized, praised and closely watched ever since taking over for Kyle Orton after the Denver Broncos began the season 1-4.

Now, it's one thing to say that Tebow needs to improve his mechanics and another thing to bash him. Let's give the guy his due as the Broncos did win the AFC West and a playoff game.

That said, we also cannot say that Tebow is the greatest Broncos quarterback since John Elway. Regardless of what happened in 2011, finishing with a 46.5 completion percentage, fumbling 13 times and having a 40.4 postseason completion are not numbers of an elite QB.

Still, Tebow had displayed tenacity and the willingness to compete. In addition it's unfair to judge Tebow's play since he has yet to be given the proper time to develop and then start a full season.

Therefore, after his results from 2012, we will then be able to take a more conscientious perspective on him. The following NFL figures though, chose to give their two cents anyway.

7. Kurt Warner

Kurt Warner's comments aren't the most bashing but certainly noteworthy considering his resume as a pro quarterback.

In an article by Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports, Warner had trouble believing what he was seeing:

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I'm more of a purist, a drop-back passer, and there were times that it was almost difficult to watch. Like, this isn't supposed to be happening, and I don't know how to filter it through my brain.

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Warner goes on to say more favorable things about Tebow but then again, he's in good company.

For one, Warner certainly isn't the first and won't be the last. But, because of his potential future Hall of Fame status, his words hold strong.

6. Brian Urlacher

It wasn't so much bashing Tim Tebow as it was a lack of acknowledging his late game heroics.

In an article by Nate Davis of the USA Today, Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher gave Tebow faint praise after the Week 14 OT loss:

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"He's a good running back," Urlacher said in his assessment of Tebow.

"Scrambles well, gets guys scrambling around and, you know, we just gotta plaster (cover) our guy and fight him, don't let him do that."

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Then again, Urlacher isn't completely out of line considering that Tebow was a abysmal 3-of-16 with an interception before the final quarter began.

After such a horrendous start but miraculous finish, we gotta give credit where credit is due. Obviously the defense played a major role, but there's no way Denver makes that kind of comeback with Kyle Orton under center.

5. John Elway

Whether any fan of Tim Tebow wants to recognize it or not, there's one guy who has the right to justify his criticism for the Broncos quarterback and that's John Elway.

Why?

Because Elway is a Hall of Famer who has appeared in five Super Bowls (tied most all-time with Tom Brady) and won two of them. In short, Tebow has a long way to go before matching Elway.

That said, Elway was critical of Tebow and rightfully so, because despite winning,Tebow still needs to improve. In an article by Alex Marvez of Fox Sports, Marvez recalls the statement that put Elway under some heat:

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Elway is painfully aware it hasn’t come across that way publically as his club prepares for its home game Sunday against Chicago on FOX. During a Nov. 21 radio interview on Denver’s KDSP-FM, Elway was asked whether he was “any closer to having your quarterback on this team than you were four or five weeks ago” when Tebow first became starter.

Elway’s answer: “No.”

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That said, Tebow has proven his worth heading into 2012 but Elway is playing the "better safe than sorry" card. According to Cindy Boren of the Washington Post, Elway would like another quarterback:

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“Tim's earned the right to be our quarterback going into training camp next year,” Elway said.

Tebow, however, is going to have to fight for the job. “We have to be in the market to find more quarterbacks, either through free agency or the draft,” Elway said. “We'll look at both those options.”

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Elway may be considered a Tebow basher but he's looking at everything from a team perspective. In turn, there's no doubt that Tebow needs someone that will force him to improve.

4. Brady Quinn

As most have likely heard through the grapevine or read by now, Brady Quinn added his take on Tim Tebow in an article by Michael Silver for GQ:

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"I was the second-string guy. Then, a few weeks later, they decided to put Tim in. I felt like the fans had a lot to do with that. Just 'cause they were chanting his name. There was a big calling for him. No, I didn't have any billboards. That would have been nice."

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After the game vs. the Chicago Bears:

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"We've had a lot of, I guess, luck, to put it simply. ...

If you look at it as a whole, there's a lot of things that just don't seem very humble to me. When I get that opportunity, I'll continue to lead not necessarily by trying to get in front of the camera and praying but by praying with my teammates, you know?"

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Now, Quinn has since apologized but it would still be surprising if the Broncos re-signed him for the 2012 season.

For one, Denver needs a more well-established and reliable backup to prepare for the unexpected. Not to mention all the Tebow fans in the Mile High City may not like having Quinn back on the roster.

3. Steve Young

Back in mid-November, Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young had this to say about Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos offense:

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"Personally I think it's embarrassing. I think that if you're going to give Tim Tebow a chance to be an NFL quarterback, then give him a chance to run an offense that is sustainable."

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Young also called it a "gimmick" which on some level is true but nonetheless, it worked.

Anyone can bash how unconventional the Broncos offense was in 2011 and it's hard to disagree. What is not up for debate are the wins and losses Tebow had as a starter.

Going 8-5, winning the AFC West and a playoff game is enough to warrant relevance for at least a brief amount of time in pro football.

A few weeks after his initial comments, Young has the same attitude towards Tebow as a quarterback. In an article by ESPN News Services, Young still questions the development:

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"He's in a sweet spot right now," said 49ers legend and ESPN analyst Steve Young, "but I don't know if it's developing him to go do it long-term in the NFL."

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At this point in his career though, we should all just enjoy the ride because regardless of how long Tebow lasts in the NFL, it's certainly exciting.

2. Stephen A. Smith

If you have ever watched ESPN First Take when Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith debate, you probably heard them argue over Tim Tebow.

Heading into Tebow's first start against Miami, Smith had little concern about Tebow and wasn't anticipating much, saying:

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"I expect Denver to win but I expect Tim Tebow to have very little to do with it."

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Then Tebowmania happened and everything else is history.

The next week even after the comeback win over Miami, Smith stated on First Take:

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"The fact is, this dude is not ready to be a starting quarterback in the NFL."

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Fast forward to February and Smith still feels the same way:

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"He can play the game of football, he belongs in the NFL but I don't think he's a good quarterback."

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So Smith hasn't changed but then again if he did, who would Bayless have to debate with? The stats prove that Tebow does need to improve. So, until 2012 begins it's going to be nothing but debating about how legit of a quarterback Tebow has become.

1. Terrell Suggs

Near the beginning of the new year when the Denver Broncos were preparing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card round, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs spoke out,

In an article by Jamison Hensley of ESPN, Suggs, on the show First Take, stated:

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"Come on now, let’s be honest, Skip. I can put up the numbers he was [putting up]. It’s all about numbers, baby. Give me a shot. Let’s see what we can do, create my own offense and hopefully my kicker can nail a 62-yarder to bail me out a few times, Jesus shows up."

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Suggs then bashed Tebow in the article by Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports:

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"I mean, it's an insult to us players. You know, wins are hard to come by in this league, and if I was Denver's defense, I would feel a certain way—they're not allowed to [say it], 'cause they're all on one team, but people are making it look like Tim Tebow is the kid from Foxboro—which, that couldn't be more opposite. It's just crazy that we're calling him a phenomenon when basically he's mediocre. Cam Newton's a way better quarterback than Tim Tebow, and we don't have a Cam Newton phenomenon."

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Lest we forget how vocal of a player that Terrell Suggs is known for being, so to some extent this comes as no surprise.

John Rozum on Twitter.