NFL 2010 Preseason: Overreactions To Tim Tebow's Injured Ribs

The snap. The look. The run. The touchdown and the simultaneous hits.

That's how the Broncos first preseason game ended against the Cincinnati Bengals.

It was later revealed that already legendary Tim Tebow had injured his ribs on the gutsy play.

Since then, the critics of Tebow have been in a feeding frenzy, claiming that this kind of play is exactly why the Florida product will never succeed in the NFL.

Some claim that other players have it out for Tebow. The fact is that defensive players always want to bash their opponent, regardless of who it may be. If it happens to be Tebow trying to cross the goal line, so be it. They're going to try to stop the player no matter who it may be.

It just so happened in this instance that Tebow had to learn the hard way. Considering his days at Florida, he is well aware of the risks he takes every time he pulls down the ball and runs for it.

Every player grasps that concept.

But Tebow is so heavily watched that any mistake, injury or fault will be poured over by analysts. So instead of recognizing the courageous playmaking that Tebow was known for, it has been turned into another point as to why he is unworthy of NFL-level play.

The fact remains that a player being willing to do anything for his team should be a point of pride. Tebow put it all on the line to score. If it had been a less contentious name trying to cross the goal line, this debate might not be raging.

Let me be clear that this is not a direct comparison, but John Elway would lay it all on the line for a first down. Again, not a direct comparison, just showcasing the media difference.

So Tebow will have to tone back his natural inclination to run a little. That doesn't mean that he has to stop or he will be a failure.

One game can not be used to draw decisive conclusions, or else even JaMarcus Russell could be considered a rather good quarterback according to his 2009 preseason. It's all about the body of work.

Everyone knows that Tebow has work to do. In the meantime, he will keep doing what he does: working hard and preparing to prove his critics wrong.