Tim Tebow: His Intangibles Aren't Quite as Tangible Now

Watching the game today, I was hopeful that my previous dire predictions of how well Mr. Tebow would do in the NFL would finally be proven wrong. But it was not to be.

Considering the last five minutes of last week's game against an 0-for team (Miami) and having a week to prepare for his debut at home, I think I speak for the entire Bronco (and Tebow) Nation that we were expecting something to be really excited about. Maybe not actually winning the game but at least not getting our head handed to us 45-10, which was closer than the actual game really was. 

But, alas, that was not to be.

Lack of a Pocket Presence Was Painful to Watch

Part of what most people agreed on was Tebow lacking the footwork needed when standing in the pocket. This is much different and much more important when playing under Center and making those three and five step drops.

What I saw today showed he had the desire to stand in there and keep his feet from getting too happy, but what seemed to be happening was his footwork and his lack of decision-making led to late releases causing seven sacks and some very ugly pass attempts.

He didn't get a lot of stellar line play but when you have eight and nine in the box daring you to beat you with your arm, it becomes imperative that the QB makes a few critical plays and converts a third down here or there.

Accuracy Is Critical, Not a Nice-to-Have Skill

Completing passes to the other team for pick-six plays are not the way to win football games.

In addition to this poor decision and resulting poorer throw, a bad situation just got worse. But it wasn't just the INT, it was also the number of throws behind, over and under the receivers that was hard to watch. His wounded duck on the only really long pass he threw was not a thing of beauty, unless you were a Lion. 

Some of this is due to mechanics but it also is due to the fact that pin-point accuracy wasn't a major requirement in the Urban-Gator game that Tim was developed under. And that is painfully coming home to roost in the NFL.

Tebow's Survival May Become the Most Important Goal This Season

Taking the number of sacks, hits and pounding while running will not lead to a long and prosperous life in the NFL. It is only a matter of when, not if that one of the 300 pound linemen or a 250 pound LB meets Mr. Tebow with more momentum than he has and we will see the Stretcher come out and a moment of silence and polite applause will follow.

While I admire his guts, I still don't think he realizes that being in a cast (or worse) is not the best way to help your team win. You need to be on the field and upright.

He will learn this at some point, just like a certain former Bronco player who wore No. 7 learned.

But sooner, not later will be in his and the Broncos best interest. 

The Tebow Swagger Was Missing Much of the Afternoon

What was clear to me was watching as the game wore on, how Tebow got quiet and wasn't doing his normal cheerleading and getting in the faces of his teammates.

It may be the first time I saw uncertainty and maybe a crack in that supreme confidence that has oozed from him up til today. That was sobering for me.

Maybe it will come back with some good days at practice this week and even a mediocre performance in the Black Hole. It better, because that place can smell blood from a mile away and things could get even uglier if there isn't a better showing by Denver in Oakland.

Being a True Leader Means Owning Your Mistakes

I watched the press conference after this game and was really disappointed in what I saw and heard from Tebow. When asked about the game and his performance, all I heard was more work was needed and they all would work hard next week in practice.

What I didn't hear was him standing up and admitting that he stunk up the place. A leader doesn't shirk from that. A leader doesn't just slough off maybe the most embarrassing game of his professional career like it wasn't that big of a deal.

That is a great way to lose your team...and your starting job. 

I expected more from Mr. Tebow when things didn't go his way. And I think most of the fans in Denver did too.

Quarterbacks Get Too Much of the Blame and Too Much of the Credit

So, what did we learn today?

Denver's running game without Willis McGahee doesn't scare even the 28th running defense in the NFL. That is not Tebow's fault and was a contributing factor to his poor play.

Giving up seven sacks and three turnovers will not win many games in the NFL.

The defense didn't play a great game but they had no help from the offense when they had to go back out after seven or eight three-and-outs in a row.

Beating a very good NFL team is harder than beating one of the worst NFL teams.

There is always next week  even if that next week will be in the "Raidah's" back yard.

A 56 Quarterback rating won't often win football games.

But maybe we also are learning that "Intangibles" are important but need to be surrounded by at least average QB skills. Something we haven't seen so far from Mr. Tebow.

Just one Bronco fan(atic)'s opinion.