Tim Tebow: Eternal Optimism Will Serve Broncos Backup QB Well in Future

When the Denver Broncos drafted Tim Tebow in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, they knew that they were in for a media circus the likes of which they have not seen since the end of the John Elway era. He is the most confident and humble person in the world, but his patience has undoubtedly been tested in the last few months.

Tebow's whirlwind season started when ESPN NFL analyst Merril Hoge took to Twitter to let everyone know that he was watching footage of the Broncos and he did not see Tebow as a championship caliber quarterback.

Upon learning that Hoge was not a fan of his, Tebow responded by saying that he appreciated the criticism and was going to prove him wrong. Things took off from there as Hoge was put on every ESPN show to discuss what his problems were with Tebow and if he thought that anything would ever change.

But the criticism did not stop there, CBS NFL analyst Boomer Esiason was interviewed in August and echoed the Hoge's sentiments.

"

"He can't play. He can't throw," Esiason said. "I'm not here to insult him. The reality is he was a great college football player, maybe the greatest college football player of his time. But he's not an NFL quarterback right now. Just because he's God-fearing, and a great person off the field, and was a winner with the team that had the best athletes in college football, doesn't mean his game is going to translate to the NFL."

"What (former Broncos coach) Josh McDaniel saw in him God only knows. Maybe God does know—because the rest of us don't."

"

After the Hoge controversy died down, Tebow was left competing with Brady Quinn for the No. 2 quarterback in Denver. There was some talk that incumbent starter Kyle Orton would be traded to Miami, but that deal fell through and Orton was informed that he would not be going anywhere.

But as all this has been happening around Tebow, he has never once complained or acted like he is entitled to the job that Orton has been given.

Instead, he shows up every day, works as hard as he possibly can every day and believes that when he does get a chance to prove himself to the new Broncos regime they will fall in love.

Even if Tebow does not get a chance to start for Denver, some team is going to take a chance on him because he has the name and pedigree from college that will sell tickets. He is going to get that opportunity because he is so optimistic and confident in his ability and smart enough to know he does not gain anything by complaining.

Tebow's faith and personality will be his saving grace and it will be the biggest reason that he is given a chance as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Even if that chance does not come in Denver.