Tim Tebow: Why He Must Start After the Bye Week

I guess former NFL head coach Herman Edwards was right when he said on NFL Countdown a few weeks ago that a team knows the continuity of its offense by Week 5 of the season.

Well, Week 5 proved that the Denver Broncos and head coach John Fox needed to seriously look at ushering in the Tim Tebow era in the Mile High state.

Tebow came into the game after the first half and sparked a Denver team with a rushing touchdown and one through the air against division rival San Diego. The Chargers still won the contest, 29-24, but fans finally got to see what they wanted when the former first-round draft pick replaced the starter Kyle Orton.

Does this mean Fox, who has Denver sitting at 1-4 on the season heading into the team's bye week, will finally allow the second-year pro from Florida to take over the offense, or will he stick to his guns, which he has for most of the season and stayed with the ineffective Orton, or does he go another route and try Brady Quinn before making a decision.

Here are a few reasons for Fox to consider keeping with what he started this past weekend and allowing the uber-star Tebow under center when the team takes the field in two weeks:

8. He Looks the Part

Besides Ray Lewis and his entrance onto the field, name another NFL player who is electric when he comes out of the gate and tries to provide a spark to all his teammates?

Tebow is electricity and excitement as well. He looks the part of the man on the field playing a child's game. And he is infectious with his attitude and personality.

You cannot teach that to anyone. It's born instinct.

7. It's What the Fans Want to See

I know football coaches do not want to hear this, but the fans come to see a winning product on the field. They also come to see their favorite players play in games.

When Tebow was drafted in Denver, it set off a frenzy the team has not seen since some guy named John Elway thew passes in the thin air.

Fans have even bought billboards to voice their opinion.

John Fox has not caved to fan opinion, but at times, I think when a situation is not getting better, another set of voices helps.

That said, I also think that Denver's fans are some of the most loyal in the NFL and they deserve to see what they came for. It's a Catch-22 that nobody really wins if the team continues to lose.

6. Things Cannot Get Worse Than They Already Are

Or can they?

The Broncos are 1-4 this season and unlikely to make the playoffs. Besides the Jaguars, who made three quarterback changes in less than three weeks? The Broncos and the Dolphins passing situation have been constant fodder for the media.

Maybe the mechanics in Tebow's throwing motion won't matter. Winning matters.

Maybe his ability to throw on the run will get the offense back in motion.

Who knows?

5. He Does More Than Just Throw a Football

He also ran for a touchdown in the game against San Diego. He lined up at receiver a few weeks ago. Anything for the team.

Tebow is the one guy who would play nose tackle if it meant his team would have a better chance to win. He also had a quarterback rating of 101.7 for his time on the field this week.

Intangibles are not taught. And football is not just about down and distance. Heart and determination are also defined factors for a football player.

4. Maybe It Gets Kyle Orton to Miami

The team still has some decisions to make with Kyle Orton or Brady Quinn. Could this be a reason Orton, who was said to be shopped to the Dolphins, finally makes his way to Miami?

Orton needs a fresh start and is a decent quarterback. He could be the one under center until the team decides if drafting a quarterback in 2012 is necessary (IT IS!). But he also is a veteran who can come in and play effectively in the right situation.

David Garrard already turned the Dolphins down. Orton seems like a likely fit.

3. He's a Rock Star!

This slide is more of a joke than anything else.

Tebow has the rock star image and the look. Orton is pretty much Mr. Rogers. When you look at your quarterback, you want a little swagger and a little flash.

While Tebow is ultra flash, ultra swagger and ultra confidence, Orton could hide in a room full of three people.

You want that like Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers or even now, Cam Newton. I'm not saying Tebow is in a class with Brady or Rodgers or has the skill set of a Newton.

But he is just as flashy.

2. First-Round Picks Don't Usually Sit This Long

Unless there is a reason.

Tebow's learning curve needs to be set now. And, unfortunately, he is a first-round pick, which means he gets big time money—and with money comes the need for results.

Give Tebow the ball, hopefully you get results.

Keeping your top pick from last year, especially a quarterback on the bench, does not make sense at all if your team needs a lift and is spiraling.

1. The Only Way He Gets Better Is by Playing

More reps with the first team. More hits on the field. More comfort in the pocket.

Tebow needs all of that. And the sooner it happens, the quicker the team and the league gets over this "Tebow" thing as reported on Sports Center in the offseason.

Tebow is a lightning rod for media attention, and if he is not doing something to improve himself, the media is all over it, as he allows them to be I might ad.

But once he gets more comfortable and shows what he can do the rest of the season, how do you know how good or bad he is?