Tim Tebow: Why His First TD Will Lead To a Starting QB Job

Tim Tebow scored his first NFL touchdown during the second quarter of the Broncos home game against the New York Jets.

Although Denver's passing game came into Week 6 as tops in the NFL, the rookie from Florida has found his way onto the field a few times.

And if Head Coach Josh McDaniels has enough confidence in him to insert the rookie at quarterback on the goal line during a big game, then he must be adapting well to the NFL game.

Is he on his way to a starting job in the league? Here are 10 reasons why the answer might be yes.

No. 10: The Florida Gators Are Struggling

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Florida Gators watches fourth-quarter play against the Florida International University Golden Panthers, November 21, 2009 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al M

The Gators are certainly a much different team than they were a year ago. They lost more than just Tim Tebow following the Sugar Bowl win in January.

But it is fairly interesting that Florida has been so average in 2010. There offense has been pretty terrible this season: held under 10 points twice in SEC games in the past three weeks.

Yes, Jeff Demps injury has hurt, and John Brantley is just not a good fit for that offense.

But the biggest change was obviously Tebow.

Aside from arm strength and arm-angles, part of the knock on Tebow was that he was surrounded with so much talent that it was easy for him to dominate.

Maybe he WAS just that good in college.

No. 9: Injured Quarterbacks

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to facing the Indianapolis Colts at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Colts defeated the Broncos 27-13. (Photo by Doug Pensinge

With the rate that players—and especially quarterbacks—are dropping like flies, depth is becoming more and more vital.

Already this season, starting quarterbacks in Green Bay, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Oakland, Chicago and two in Philadelphia and Cleveland, have endured significant injuries.

Sooner or later, Tebow will have an opportunity to play. And if he shows even a brief glimpse of promise, some team might see him as a potential franchise quarterback. If it's not the Broncos, maybe someone else.

Remember Rob Johnson and Scott Mitchell?

No. 8: Mobility

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 12: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos practices prior to the NFL season opener game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Get

He doesn't have the speed of Michael Vick, but Tebow can move. Not only that, his size and presence around the goal line—his trademark at Florida—is of immeasurable value.

Josh McDaniels couldn't wait to design a goal line package around him.....especially since the Broncos running game has been so bad.

Those contributions, along with the fact that he can slide around the pocket and mask the vulnerabilities of a poor offensive line, will continue to tempt people around the NFL.

No. 7: A Year of Learning

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DENVER - AUGUST 29: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos celebrates his fourth quarter touchdown pass to Eric Decker against the Pittsburgh Steelers during preseason NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 29, 2010 in Denver, Colora

Kyle Orton is not one of the league's most talented quarterbacks, yet he is lighting up the NFL through the air.

Orton is a great model for Tebow to follow. From him and McDaniels, he has to have learned about schemes, coverages and fronts.

Orton has been able to overcome his own physical inadequacies. Tebow is working towards the same goal.

No. 6: Veterans Around the League

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DENVER - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos runs for a touchdown against the New York Jets at INVESCO Field at Mile High on October 17, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Look around the NFL. Several teams have starters that are on the wrong side of 30 and don't have a great backup plan in place at this point.

Donovan McNabb in Washington, Brett Favre in Minnesota, even Tom Brady in New England and Peyton Manning in Indianapolis and Drew Brees in New Orleans.

One of those teams might see that Tebow can be valuable both around the goal line and as a long-term project. The Broncos already have.

And at this point, he is a much cheaper option than a Top 10 pick in next year's draft, such as a Jake Locker, Andrew Luck or Ryan Mallett might be in 2011 and 2012.

No. 5: Trades Are In Vogue

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 12: Tyson Alualu #93 of the Jacksonville Jaguars tackles Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos during the NFL season opener game at EverBank Field on September 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty I

We've seen this season—perhaps more than any in recent memory—that trades are a trendy.

Several very prominent players have already been dealt this year: Randy Moss, Marshawn Lynch, Deion Branch and Laurence Maroney.

Don't expect it to happen before this year's trade deadline, but perhaps next year at this time.

No. 4: Josh McDaniels

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 19: Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Denver Broncos looks on against the Seattle Seahawks during NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 19, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Head Coach Josh McDaniels is clearly a risk taker: trading Brandon Marshall, trading Jay Cutler, etc.

So we probably shouldn't have been that surprised that the Broncos drafted Tebow back in April.

And with what McDaniels did in New England with Matt Cassel, it makes it more likely that Tebow will get a look at starting.

McDaniels turned Cassel into a starter, despite practically no experience and limited physical tools.

Tebow have more going for him than Cassel, and Cassel has the Chiefs job locked up.

No. 3: Denver Drafted Him Number One

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 02: Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball during an NFL preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, on September 2, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Ph

No team would spend a number one draft pick—let alone trade up do so—on a guy they plan to hold a clipboard.

Certainly the Broncos might deal him: If his red zone/goal line abilities continue to improve, a team could go after him.

Tebow is going to get a shot to start, and he is no doubt progressing: McDaniels wouldn't entrust him near the goal line if he wasn't. It will depend on how he plays if that shot lasts one or two games or 10 seasons.

The Broncos have first dibs on that experiment. Expect them to use it.

No. 2: More Opportunities

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DENVER - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos celebrates his touchdown run in the first half against the New York Jets at INVESCO Field at Mile High on October 17, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

No one is going to hand Tebow a starter's job—whether it's in Denver or anywhere else—just because he scored one touchdown.

But that one touchdown proved that the "Tebow package" works. The Broncos will continue to use it more and more.

If it works at the goal line, maybe it will lead to more chances in short yardage. Then maybe they'll run a full series out of it, wildcat-style.

The more playing time Tebow accrues, the more teams, including the Broncos, will consider his starting possibilities.

No. 1: Character

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts and quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos meet at midfield after the game at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Colts defeate

Michael Vick—the face of a franchise—embarrassed his organization. So did Ben Roethlisberger. And it would seem that Brett Favre did as well.

Now Vick and Roethlisberger's mistakes cost them playing time. Maybe Favre's will too.

Given the amount of money and time invested in stars, especially quarterbacks, team's are not inclined to risk bringing in "low character guys."

Tebow's saintly status may be overblown. But it's hard to believe that Tim Tebow will ever miss a game because he violates the "personal conduct" aspect of the NFL's code.