Tim Tebow: After Raiders Loss, Is He Still A Starting QB?

Tim Tebow made quite the impression on the Oakland Raiders in his first NFL start on Sunday.

Even in a loss. 

The former Heisman Trophy winner and college football icon totaled 216 total yards, threw a touchdown pass and had a very familiar 40-yard rumble into the endzone. 

Tebow has arrived. 

Or has he?

His first career start showed the promise Josh McDaniels saw in Tebow when he moved back into the first round in last year's draft to take the Florida product. 

Anytime an ultra-hyped rookie enters the league and performs well in their first real opportunity as a starter, there's one thing we must do... 

Examine. 

Tebow only completed eight passes on the day, a number that the critics will point to when speaking with Tebow optimists. 

His longer wind-up scared teams some away. His supposed "weak" arm scared away the rest except the Broncos.

Tebow revolutionized the quarterback position in college by adding a "full-back" running dimension we've never seen before. 

Maybe it's time he does the same in the NFL. 

On Tebow's 40-yard touchdown scamper, the Broncos dialed up a straight quarterback draw; no improvisation was needed. 

Rarely do we see that play called in the middle of the field. 

Analysts said he'd never be successful running the ball up the middle like he did as a Florida Gator. 

Sure, the continual physicality in the NFL makes college seem like Pop Warner and Tebow certainly can't rely on quarterback dives his entire career, but why not use what you have?

Tebow's a big-bodied, tough, signal caller with a below average arm. 

Stat-lines like his against the Raiders could become common for the Broncos if they keep Tebow as their quarterback moving forward. 

If the Broncos are OK with that, and are fine with eliminating some of the down-field flash they get with someone like Kyle Orton, Tebow may be the guy. 

(Remember how he grew from a novelty quarterback in Florida to one of the greatest college quarterbacks ever.)

If not, Tebow could be auditioning for a part he'll never get. 

Lastly, it's way to early to put an title on Tebow, starter or backup. 

I'd like to see what happens after defensive coordinators get tape on him and develop a game plan around his unique style of playing the quarterback position. 

If he succeeds after that, then Tebow may be the answer in Denver. 

For now, we can only do one thing...

Sit back and watch Tim Tebow on his journey to prove us wrong, again.