Tim Tebow: 5 Reasons the Guy Isn't John Elway's QB of the Future

Tim Tebow has created more buzz coming into the NFL than almost any other rookie quarterback before him.  There is a lot about Tebow that is fantastic.  He's a person who isn't entitled and truly looks at playing in the NFL as a privilege.  He is fiercely competitive, and fires his teammates up.  He works unbelievably hard and wants to be the best player that he can be. 

I like him, I definitely do; but, I don't believe that Tebow is the long term answer for the Broncos, and this is why.

Mechanics

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos looks to deliver a pass against the San Diego Chargers at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Is he still doing his giant loop-dee-loop he had in his delivery at Florida?  No.  But, something that has been seen with Tebow is that his delivery is still quite long.  This definitely works against him because the defensive backs in the pros react far faster than they do in college.

A second mechanics issue is that he is still clearly adjusting to being under center.  He isn't fumbling left and right as he did at the Senior Bowl, but it feels like he is staying under center a little bit longer just to make sure he has the ball.  To my eye, it looks as if both the guards are up and into their blocks before Tebow has taken a step back. 

As a result of this, the defense is one step ahead of the offense on the play, which is never good for the quarterback.

Decision Making

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DENVER - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos eludes a sack attempt by defensive end Antonio Smith #94 of the Houston Texas at INVESCO Field at Mile High on December 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Im

At the moment, Tim Tebow is still very much stuck in his decision making process that he had in Florida.  Option 1:  Not there?  Okay, run! 

A skill that Tebow MUST learn is to go to his second, third, and fourth reads.  Trust your blockers, stay in that pocket.  By scrambling so often, he almost creates the pressure himself. 

One person Tebow can take serious notes on is Peyton Manning.  He is so calm in the pocket.  He doesn't scramble, he slides to create time and find his other reads.  If Tebow can learn this, he will be more effective.

Accuracy

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 2: Safety Eric Weddle #32 of the San Diego Chargers makes an interception on a pass intended for wide receiver Brandon Lloyd #84 of the Denver Broncos as they battle in the air with safety Steve Gregory #28 during the first quarter a

This issue is spawned from his mechanics.  Granted, this is a common critique amongst NFL rookie quarterbacks. 

The game is much faster at each level, and rookies often make bad throws while they are trying to make the adjustment to the league. 

While we have seen some great throws from Tebow, we have also seen his fair share of ducks.  Balls that just float up in the air waiting to come down into the hands of a salivating defensive back. 

Some quarterbacks make the adjustment just fine, while others continue to struggle and, quite often, hurt their team in the process.  We don't know which direction Tebow is going to be headed just yet.

His Positives

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 19: Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos stands on the sideline during their game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 19, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Wait, his positives work against him?  Well, think about it.  When people describe Tebow, what do they say about him?  They say he works his butt off, he's a competitor, he's tough, he's a leader, he's strong. 

Notice how not one of those things have anything to do with being a great quarterback?  Nobody says he can throw every single pass.  Nobody says he reads defenses really well.  Nobody says his accuracy and decision making are great. 

All of the things that people say he does makes a good player, but not necessarily a good quarterback.  Let's be straight, all the positive things people say about him are absolutely true, but we have yet to cross to the line between great person, and great quarterback.

Josh McDaniels

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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Head coach of the Denver Broncos Josh McDaniels talks with Tim Tebow #15 during a team training session at The Brit Oval on October 29, 2010 in London, England. The Denver Broncos will play the San Francisco 49ers at Wemble

Let's all be honest here, anybody following the Broncos for the last two years can agree that almost every single decision that McDaniels made can be questioned. 

While not too many Broncos faithful miss Jay Cutler, he's in the playoffs.  Then sending away the best receiving options (Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler respectively) didn't help.  Also, patchwork free agency signings for a defense that needs some major surgery hurt his personnel credibility. 

So it makes sense that people would question his choice of Tebow when every other team in the NFL was happy to pass on him in the first round.  Will Tebow be the last bullet on the list of things that Josh McDaniels did wrong?  We have yet to see.

Conclusion

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 22: Tim Tebow #15 of the Florida Gators smiles following the game against the Citadel Bulldogs at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 22, 2008 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

I want to make things very clear on this, I like Tim Tebow.  I like him a lot.  He is one of the most refreshing athletes in professional sports.  As I've mentioned, he really views playing the NFL as a privilege, and not a right.  He is a hard worker, a firey competitor, and a guy who has won everywhere he has ever been.  It is never bad to have that kind of a guy on your team.  At this moment in time, however, Tebow has many more steps to go before he proves himself as the long term answer for anybody in the NFL. 

I hope that Tebow proves me, and his other critics wrong. I hope he does so in the Denver orange and blue; but at this moment in time, I do not believe Tebow is the long term answer for the Denver Broncos.