Column: Buckin’ Broncos

If you watched a show on ESPN a month or two ago, you watched anchors and analysts commend and question Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow’s previous performance on the football field.

Give him some credit.

Some admired him for his clutch fourth-quarter and overtime play to overcome what seemed to be insurmountable odds of winning, but then doing it in dramatic fashion. Others acknowledged the win, but questioned the manner in which he won.

After all, his post-game stat sheet sometimes resembles what a fifth-grade quarterback’s would look like at the end of recess.

Completing less than 50 percent of his passes and throwing for 150 yards is not impressive.

However, analysts failed to focus on the most important stat in football: turnovers.

Between week seven and week 14 of the NFL season, when the Broncos won seven out of eight games, Tebow threw only two interceptions, according to www.denverbroncos.com. Tebow took great care of the ball by throwing it out-of-bounds and running with it when none of his receivers were open down-field.

He led a team that started 1-4 with Kyle Orton taking the majority of the snaps at quarterback and turned it into a legitimate playoff team after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime in the AFC Wild Card game.

Critics slam Tebow because he is not a conventional quarterback. He wins games running the option and with sudden accurate completions in the fourth-quarter.

People want quarterbacks that can drop back to pass, stay in the pocket with their eyes down field and deliver an on time and accurate throw.

Tebow’s style is something we’ve never really seen before.

His strong lower body allows him to plow through defenders, but he still is a quarterback, which means he can toss it down field once in a while and complete passes.

He likes to roll out of the pocket to escape pressure or sometimes when inside pressure is non-existent, look down field and throw the football. What’s the problem with that? Since when is winning not enough to keep people happy? Don’t give him too much credit.

Although everybody loves him for his kind heart and thinks he saved the Denver Broncos this season and perhaps for years to come, the Broncos’ defense also stepped it up when Tebow took the keys to the Broncos offense.

Led by Pro Bowlers Elvis Dumervil, Von Miller, and Champ Bailey, the Denver Broncos defense clamped down on opposing offenses after their sluggish start. Sacking quarterbacks and stopping the run became natural for the Broncos as they finished the season 8-8 to win the AFC West.

With Tebow’s toughness, inspiring play and that relentless defense, the Broncos are poised to make more noise in the AFC next season. Things are looking up, even in the Mile High City.

 Opinions expressed in editorial and opinion articles are the views of individual NIC students. These views do not necessarily  reflect the opinions of the Sentinel, North Idaho College, or any other organizations or groups there-in. North Idaho College is not responsible for the accuracy of statements or opinions shared.