Is Tim Tebow Slowly Slipping Back into His Old Mechanics?

Lets face it, Tim Tebow rubs some people the wrong way.

He isn't a traditional quarterback, and his complete lack of an orthodox style scared a lot of fans who thought they might end up getting him on draft day.

Heck, the guy is even left-handed.

To top all of the mechanical questions off, there are just as many people out there who take a guilty pleasure in blasting Tebow's goody two-shoes ways as there are who love his annual mission trips to wherever.

So it isn't much of a surprise that controversy has marred his entrance into the NFL.

The guy is a morally upstanding version of Michael Vick, and together, they would probably combine to make the most polarizing duo in all of sports if ever on the same roster.

For all that Tebow has done, and ever will do, there are going to be people he will never win over as well as people who will never give up on him.

But with all of that, some objectivity has to be used in examining Tebow's abilities, and concerns about his mechanics are warranted.

They were before he was drafted and they still are today, even if he overcomes his formerly questionable passing form.

A lot of fans are reading the comments out there from Tebow's teammates that praise his work ethic and using it as evidence that he will be great.

Educated football analysts are wondering where the comments praising his ability, throwing motion, and climb up the depth chart are.

The guy beat out Tom Brandstater, but that was expected.

One of the recent rumors that has slipped out in between Champ Bailey, Brady Quinn, and Josh McDaniels' praise of Tim has been that his throwing mechanics aren't actually improving that drastically; he is having trouble maintaining his new throwing form.

Obviously, if he developed a certain comfort level with his unorthodox style, he is going to gravitate toward using it long-term.

A player's early NFL career might be, unfortunately, too late a time to teach an old dog new tricks.

Should these rumors be of concern to the fans of the Denver Broncos?

Many Broncoholics will be happy to know that I am departing from my usual opinion on this subject.

I never thought Tebow's mechanics were the problem (though the criticism is warranted).

If Tim is learning how to get the ball to the right places at the right times, and if he is learning how to read defenses, then it is a major step in the right direction.

Fans shouldn't care if he underhand lobs the pigskin like a softball as long as he does it successfully.

With Tim, the biggest concerns for fans should have been his ability/inability to read defenses, run complicated passing plays, and develop the necessary presence to play in the NFL.

If Josh McDaniels says he is doing that, albeit slowly, then that is as much as fans can hope for.

Tebow was brought in as a project at quarterback and he will likely remain a project for a while longer.

That isn't a knock on him. His work ethic seems to indicate that he can handle that role.

It would be worse for the Denver Broncos to try to rush his development when they have both Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn.

But Tebow's mechanics—whatever they may end up being—are certainly being honed by McDaniels and his staff on a daily basis.

That coach did bring the NFL Tom Brady, Matt Cassel, and a much-improved Kyle Orton.

When he deems Tebow's mechanics to be an issue, it will be time for Broncos fans to worry.

But no one is going to know whether the guy is a bust or a home run until he takes the field anyway, and that really shouldn't be this season.

I like that recent praise makes it impossible for outsiders to question Tim's heart.

I hate that recent praise hasn't been focused on his ability.

Most fans are going to have a hard time knowing what to make of that, so the Tebow debate will continue.