Brandon Lloyd Is Right in Thinking Tim Tebow's Style Won't Work Long Term

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow didn't get an endorsement recently from former teammate Brandon Lloyd, who isn't sure if the young quarterback's style of play can be effective long-term.

Lloyd said via ESPN:

“I don’t know,” he said. “I think only time will tell with that style of play. I think it is effective last Sunday, but I just don’t know how effective that style can be over the course of long games and playing formidable opponents.” 

Lloyd is exactly right in thinking Tebow's style of play won't work long-term. Against terrible teams like the winless Miami Dolphins, who the Broncos beat last Sunday, Tebow's style can work and be effective.

But what about when Tebow faces the NFL's best teams, like the Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots? Will he struggle mightily against them? One would think so.

Lloyd was an endorser of Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton while in Denver this season, and after Orton could not get the team off to a good start, head coach John Fox decided to give Tebow his first start of the NFL season in Week 7.

Lloyd was traded to the St. Louis Rams last week, and that may have been exactly what he wanted after knowing Tebow was the future at quarterback for the Broncos.

Tebow's ability to run outside the pocket is often compared to Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks Michael Vick and Vince Young, as well as Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton, the top pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Tebow may be just as good of a runner as those QBs, but he cannot throw as well. Tebow isn't able to shred NFL passing defenses yet, and without a top wide receiver, he will struggle to become a threat through the air.

His style of play is exciting, but it hasn't helped any quarterback win a Super Bowl.

Vick has been to one NFC championship game in his career and has oftentimes not been able to make it through a full season due to injuries sustained from running outside the pocket.

Young has had a decent career, but has never won anything either. Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Randall Cunningham was one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks ever, but he never won a Super Bowl.

Tim Tebow's style of play is exciting and won't be a disaster in the NFL, but can it be a reliable style of play to win football games against quality opponents?

No it cannot. Tebow has to become a more complete quarterback to be a great NFL player.

Nicholas Goss is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for the latest sports news and updates.  Follow @NicholasGoss35