Come To Think of It...Florida's Tim Tebow Is NOT God

"If you're fortunate enough to spend five minutes...around Tim Tebow, your life is better for it."

—Thom Brennaman

Oh. My. God. You would have thought we saw a sandal slip off of one of the feet of Florida QB Tim Tebow last night by the way the announcers were gushing over him.

Even after Tebow earned a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for taunting Oklahoma's defense, Brennaman claimed: "That might be the first thing he's ever done wrong."

However, I am here to help calm the waters (not the sea that Tebow has likely parted, but the waters) by encouraging everyone to do one simple thing:

Take a deep breath. Go ahead, take that breath. Now, perhaps we'll be able to talk coherently about this young man who, despite his many positive characteristics, is inappropriately being deified by the masses.

All that "fire and passion" stuff being spewed out of the mouths of announcers, fans and even real football people is just a bunch of hooey. Yes, it's nice to see a man who wants to win and gives his all. And yes, it makes good copy for the media.

But let's not forget that Florida has a tremendous program, with a strong and capable defense, terrific runners and receivers like Percy Harvin (who amassed 171 all-purpose yards yesterday incidentally), as well as a hefty offensive line.

Look, I'm not against Tim Tebow. Quite the contrary. In fact, I was rooting for the Gators in last night's BCS Championship game against a great Oklahoma team, unfortunately coached by an idiot like Bob Stoops.

And I see the desire, the talent, the leadership, the "want-to" that Tim Tebow displays and he seems like a genuinely nice kid.

But while we're waiting with bated breath for Tebow's decision on whether or not he will return to college next season or go pro, let me tell you one thing that might surprise you:

Tim Tebow will likely never be an effective starting quarterback in the NFL.

That's not to say that he won't make the professional league and have an impact. In fact, he will get drafted when he does eventually come out, although it may not be in the first round.

The question will be at what position, if any, do NFL scouts see a guy like Tebow succeeding? Sure, he's a well built, strong kid. But there are plenty of steely chiseled, even stronger NFL defensemen out there just waiting to tackle him.

He's not an accurate passer. He doesn't read defenses very well. And, well, he's left-handed.

In fact, his mechanics have been described as a cross between Rex Grossman and Cade McNown. Ouch.

Still, he might make a good fullback or back-up tight end in the NFL. As former Chicago Bear great Dan Hampton says, he would draft him as a back-up QB who can help out at a variety of positions.

Hey, that may not be what the young man aspires for, but it's a heck of a lot better than what most college football players will ever achieve.

So while everyone is losing their heads around you, I implore you to keep yours. And remember, it would be nice if we could let the kid be a kid, and finish his college career, before anointing him as the Second Coming.

Meanwhile, Tebow will go down as one of the finest college football players of all time. And that's not hyperbole, come to think of it. That's a fact, my friends.