Rush Limbaugh's Defense of Broncos QB Tim Tebow Is Off Base

Controversial conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh came to the defense of polarizing Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, asserting that the backlash directed toward Tebow is purely based on his religious beliefs.

While his constant Jesus Christ references during interviews have certainly rubbed some people the wrong way, it's far from the only reason he is the focus of so much negativity. Limbaugh's comments are narrow-minded, limiting the argument to just religion and football generalities.

Here's a brief excerpt of an article he uses to further his point from the political commentator's official site:

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Plummer said what the commentators wouldn't say. Their dislike for Tim Tebow is not, as they would have us believe, about his throwing motion or his completion percentage; it's all about his open professions of faith and his goody-two shoes image. When it comes right down to it, [American culture today doesn't] want heroes who are truly good.

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Limbaugh's sourced piece is referencing former NFL quarterback Jake Plummer's comments about Tebow needing to tone down his religious beliefs. To take one man's thoughts and throw a blanket over the entire media spectrum who has spoken out against Tebow's chances of survival is nothing more than pandering to his audience.

In reality, the concerns people like Merril Hoge, Colin Cowherd and several others have raised are legitimate. There are serious long-term concerns about the Florida product's ability to navigate an NFL offense.

His throwing motion is indeed funky, and it leads to a low completion percentage. Those issues will need to be addressed before John Elway and the rest of Denver's head honchos are prepared to make any statements about his future with the team.

The reason he's getting away with his deficiencies right now is simple: the Broncos are winning games. If he had the same exact statistics but was 3-4 instead of 6-1, the story being told would be different.

Tebow had a monster game on Sunday versus the Vikings. He completed 66 percent of his passes for over 200 yards and two touchdowns. If he was posting numbers like that on a weekly basis and was still getting bashed, Limbaugh's thoughts would have more merit.

That's not the case, however.

That was the first game all season, and just the second time in Tebow's career, in which he completed more than 50 percent of his passes in a start. Even though that might be enough to squeak past the likes of Kansas City and Miami, it isn't likely to fly against Green Bay or Baltimore.

He's been successful, in terms of winning games at least, because he brings a unique skill set to the table. Defenses aren't fully prepared for his dual-threat style. Minnesota decided they weren't going to let Tebow beat them on the ground, but that left gaping holes for him to expose in the secondary.

Denver's defense, led by rookie linebacker Von Miller, has been the unsung hero of the Broncos' resurgence. If that unit wasn't providing as many key stops as it has been, Tebow's record wouldn't be so gaudy. Football is the ultimate team game, and it's important to remember that.

So, while Limbaugh didn't completely miss the target by pinpointing religion as a reason people dislike Tebow, to suggest it's the only reason is off base. If Tebow develops into a viable franchise quarterback and the amount of negativity doesn't decline, then, and only then, should Limbaugh's comments be considered plausible.