Tim Tebow, Denver Broncos QB, Tremendous in First NFL Career Start

Controversial quarterback Tim Tebow made his first NFL career start Week 15 for the Denver Broncos.

He turned in a valiant effort on the road in the hostile “Black Hole” environment of the Oakland Raiders.

Tebow started in place of Kyle Orton, who has been bothered by an arm injury in recent weeks. Orton started the season hot under then-head coach Josh McDaniels. McDaniels, the man who drafted Tebow to be the future quarterback of the Denver Broncos, was fired two weeks ago.

McDaniels was a rather inept and cocky head coach, but he at least saw the potential Tebow has as a starting NFL quarterback.

Tebow is a special talent. He is a big kid with a decently accurate and powerful arm. His glaring strengths, however, are his poise, will, determination and athleticism. In Urban Meyer’s system at Florida, Tebow was a Heisman winner and one of the greatest running quarterbacks college football has ever seen.

This bull bruised past the Oakland Raiders defense in the first quarter for a 40-yard touchdown. Those who doubted Tebow had the speed to compete against NFL defenses were clearly wrong. Those who said he wouldn’t be able to take the punishment of opposing linebackers and safeties were clearly wrong. Tebow finished the game with 78 yards and the touchdown on eight carries.

Tebow looked very good throwing the ball. Although he completed just eight of 16 pass attempts (50.0 completion percentage) for 138 yards and a touchdown to Brandon Lloyd, Tebow did look accurate. He placed a great, catchable ball in the end zone that was dropped on him.

Tebow kept his team in the game, but the Oakland Raiders, still fighting for their playoff hopes, outscored the Broncos 22-6 in the second half.

We should not forget that Tebow had to play this game without his best running back behind him. Knowshon Moreno was injured early in the game and never returned. Tebow was left with a makeshift backfield consisting of Correll Buckhalter and Lance Ball. Not to mention he is already dealing with Josh McDaniels’ motley crew of receivers.

Tebow will always draw criticism for his passing ability. He has clearly worked on his mechanics, and although he completed just half of his passes to only five different receivers in his first NFL start, there is a ton of promise for this young quarterback.

Even if Kyle Orton is healthy enough to start the remaining two games against Houston and San Diego, Denver needs to start Tebow the rest of the way. Let “Tim Tremendous” continue to get his feet wet. There is no better option than against the dreadful Houston Texans defense this weekend. Tebow will gain a ton of confidence against the Texans. Not to say Tebow really needs more confidence. That is arguably his greatest strength.

Tebow has always possessed the poise and confidence of a starting quarterback. He has the innate ability to will his teammates to better themselves and believe they have an opportunity at any point to still win a game. As in college, Tebow will win his veteran teammates over much sooner than later.

Tebow is the type of man everybody wants in their proverbial foxhole. He was one of college football’s greatest warriors and inspirations. He will continue to thrive in that role in the NFL. Broncos nation is lucky to have such a shining star paving the road for them.

Tim Tebow is the successor to John Elway that Denver nation has been looking for since the Hall of Famer retired.