11/04/24
November 14, 2011
Tebow Completes 2 Passes in Broncons Win: Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow completed two out of eight passes for 69 yards -- one a 56-yard-touchdown to Eric Decker -- during a 17-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday. Tebow also ran for a seven-yard touchdown. "Winning ugly can't be illustrated any better than the way Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow does it," writes Steve Gardner of USA Today.
This is why I hate fantasy football. Tebow had a 21 point day for me and got me a win. I dont know what you do if you are denver. I mean they guy is AWFUL, but the keep winning in spite of his play. I dont understand it at all.
posted by Debo270 at 10:06 AM on November 14, 2011
John Fox has previous on this front.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 10:12 AM on November 14, 2011
I mean they guy is AWFUL, but the keep winning in spite of his play.
He only threw 8 times and played well barring a couple of Tebow's trademark throws that land 10 yards in front of the intended receiver. On deep balls he had a couple that were nearly perfect and one that was so bad it turned what should have been a sure touchdown into a near-interception with a bad throw. I'd give him a B- on the day.
Ugly or not, this is the most fun I've had watching the Broncos in the last couple years.
posted by tron7 at 10:25 AM on November 14, 2011
John Fox has previous on this front.
The two QBs combined for 141 yards. What a game that must have been.
posted by yerfatma at 11:00 AM on November 14, 2011
I just went and watched all eight passes and, much to my chagrin, tron is right... he wasn't that far off.
Sure, it's an almost criminally limited passing offence they're giving him, but if they do more than that people complain that they're not setting Tebow up to win, or something.
He threw four deep passes, three of which were from play action in a tight formation where the read-progression seemed to be "we will send two guys deep. Find the one with single coverage and hurl the thing his way."
It works because Kansas have to cheat one Safety up to try to stop being gashed on the ground.
Two were a bit short, but gave the receiver a chance, another was a bit long and his receiver only got a fingertip on it and then the fourth was right on the money and went for a touchdown.
Amusingly, the long touchdown was the only deep pass from a "proper" passing set and was the only one he threw into double cover. Although I have to use the word "cover" loosely for what Flowers and Langford were doing.
Of the other passes, the other completion was one of those where you hit the receiver before he even crosses the line of scrimmage. The other incompletions featured a dropped shovel pass and what looked like those option passes halfbacks run where if the defender steps up you throw it and if he doesn't you run.
Whenever the Broncos come up against a defence that can stop the run with six or seven, or an offence that can score 21 points I think Denver's chance of winning with Tebow become vanishingly small.
I'm looking forward to Revis-v-Tebow on Thursday. That game will be hilarious whichever way it goes.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 11:16 AM on November 14, 2011
The two QBs combined for 141 yards. What a game that must have been.
The week before that he had Weinke pass something like 30 times against the Steelers and ended up with PTSD.
Lesson clearly learned.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 11:35 AM on November 14, 2011
There must have been a few times in Fox's tenure in Carolina (during the Jake "You" Delhomme era) when he would have given a month's salary to have had a non-throwing quarterback.
posted by beaverboard at 11:37 AM on November 14, 2011
Denver just might win their division by not throwing the ball.
Jets could have as well, but they'll now need to reserve that decision for early season next year.
posted by cixelsyd at 11:42 AM on November 14, 2011
I didn't even watch the game but it sounds like at least Cassel has the excuse of an injury to explain his day. Perhaps Tebow's completion rate is directly related to how often he takes a knee?
posted by evixir at 06:56 PM on November 14, 2011
I know Tebow has his fans, but he doesn't seem to have the chops. Is the basis for his popularity simply his success in college?
posted by Joey Michaels at 07:24 PM on November 14, 2011
It was part of God's plan for Fox to broadcast hockey, and for the world to reap the bounty of goodness that the minions of the mighty Murdoch hath bestowed upon the sport.
Fox Trax glow puck technology will soon be used to spot Tebow whenever the Broncos are on offense.
Thereupon, all heathen doubters will be able to see the Tebow aura that has existed the whole time, previously visible only to believers.
posted by beaverboard at 08:25 PM on November 14, 2011
I know Tebow has his fans, but he doesn't seem to have the chops. Is the basis for his popularity simply his success in college?
Based on the people that I know that really truly love him, they claim that he is the ultimate underdog story.
posted by NoMich at 08:36 PM on November 14, 2011
Tebow's loved for having enormous expectations of him prior to college and living up to all of them by getting a Heisman Trophy and being a part of two University of Florida national championships. I live in the county where he's from, and he's been a legend going back to the start of high school. He's also popular for being one of the most outwardly demonstrative Christians in sports. He may be the most relentlessly earnest interview I've ever heard.
Despite the wins, I don't think he'll ever amount to much as a quarterback unless the NFL outlaws the forward pass.
posted by rcade at 09:45 PM on November 14, 2011
I'd give him a B- on the day.
If only my high school teachers had been so kind.
I don't think he'll ever amount to much as a quarterback unless the NFL outlaws the forward pass.
I just don't get how anyone can watch Tebow play and not come away believing he's a horrendous NFL quarterback, almost jokingly bad. He could prove me wrong, and then I might start believing in god.
posted by justgary at 12:05 AM on November 15, 2011
Dude just wins. QED (which I believe is Latin for "'Nuff said").
posted by holden at 12:42 AM on November 15, 2011
The guy has led the Broncos to wins over the Dolphins, Raiders and Chiefs. Not much to brag about. Practically any QB on a NFL roster has a decent shot at coming away on top in those games. I understand wins are wins but it's just a matter of time before his running gets him severely injured. This Thursday the Jets (whose QB also sucks) should be a definite test.
posted by dyams at 07:09 AM on November 15, 2011
You can teach a player how to throw a tighter spiral or read defenses better, but you cannot teach grit and determination. And Tebow has those in spades. I would probably take him over just about any QB other than Aaron Rodgers right now (and that is a closer call than you might think), because he is just a winner and that is innate.
posted by holden at 09:47 AM on November 15, 2011
If only my high school teachers had been so kind.
Did you watch the game? There are games when Tebow is the worst quaterback in the league, this is just not one of them. Tebow wasn't great throwing the ball but he wasn't awful either. He ran the ball well and with just the threat of the run he occupies a defender on nearly every play. So, yeah, I'd say B-
posted by tron7 at 10:19 AM on November 15, 2011
I would probably take him over just about any QB other than Aaron Rodgers right now
Yeah, I heard the Colts are trying to put together a Manning and Luck trade for Tebow before more teams start making pitches for a certain first ballot HOF QB.
posted by cixelsyd at 10:42 AM on November 15, 2011
Yeah, I heard the Colts are trying to put together a Manning and Luck trade for Tebow before more teams start making pitches for a certain first ballot HOF QB.
Throw in Freeney and Mathis and the Broncos just might consider it.
posted by holden at 10:43 AM on November 15, 2011
" Tebow wasn't great throwing the ball but he wasn't awful either. He ran the ball well and with just the threat of the run he occupies a defender on nearly every play. "
The Fifth Down blog on the NY Times claims we should count Tebows runs as a "completion to himself" before discussing his ability as a Quarterback.
I'm not sure if he's being earnest or not because Holden broke my Saracasmotron3000'.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 11:17 AM on November 15, 2011
You can teach a player how to throw a tighter spiral or read defenses better, but you cannot teach grit and determination. And Tebow has those in spades. I would probably take him over just about any QB other than Aaron Rodgers right now (and that is a closer call than you might think), because he is just a winner and that is innate.
I don't think you can always teach people to change their throwing motion or read defenses better. The winner thing in a team sport like football is a bit suspect. In basketball at least, one player can control a lot of the game. In football, there is a limit. Even if Tebow became Manning-like and started controlling plays from the line of scrimmage, he is only impacting the game part of the time (not defense or special teams). And, I don't really see how Tebow is getting credit for this win instead of the offensive line and the running backs.
posted by bperk at 11:29 AM on November 15, 2011
bperk, you obviously haven't been paying attention. Just by being on the same sideline as Tebow, he makes them better. His very presence not only inspires them to play better, it enables it. He's got the intangible ability just to make everyone a better person on the human level, which makes them even better players. He leads, even without his helmet on, his leadership compels the defense. So Tebow totally deserves the victory, he's not just the QB, he's the human embodiment of football.
posted by apoch at 12:08 PM on November 15, 2011
Thanks, apoch, I don't where my mind went.
posted by bperk at 02:20 PM on November 15, 2011
He is the messiah of modern day football.
Each and every time he throws the ball players, coaches and fans are compelled to shout "Jesus!" in unison.
He's quite special.
posted by cixelsyd at 02:24 PM on November 15, 2011
Did you watch the game? There are games when Tebow is the worst quaterback in the league, this is just not one of them. Tebow wasn't great throwing the ball but he wasn't awful either.
Nope, only the highlights. I was also watching the play by play on ESPN's website simply because I wanted to see if he could go the entire game with out a reception. It was quite possible at one point. It was also funny how his QB rating went from 30 to over a hundred with his one long completion.
I just don't see how you can give him a grade at all, except maybe incomplete? For lack of passing attempts? (and he had two competitions the entire day, pointing out how close some of his other attempts were seems silly. What if his one long pass had been dropped...)
I guess one could look at his stats and include his running, and I admit that I'm not doing that. And he did what he needed to win. Etc. Etc.
So maybe I'm looking at the big picture, in that he didn't only throw the ball 8 times because it was a great game plan, but he only threw the ball 8 times because the team knows he sucks, really... really... bad.
And I think that will show by the end of the year, and he'll be out of the league (or a forgotten backup) very soon. Though, I welcome the chance to be proven wrong.
posted by justgary at 02:53 PM on November 15, 2011
Fine. He has grit. Does he also have moxie?
posted by Joey Michaels at 04:16 PM on November 15, 2011
Moxie? He's not from Maine, brutha.
posted by yerfatma at 05:15 PM on November 15, 2011
Well played, yerfatma. Moxie Makes Mainers Mighty!
posted by Joey Michaels at 07:11 PM on November 15, 2011
If we were trying to run a regular offense, he'd be screwed.
Since I'm passing out grades I'll go ahead and issue John Fox an A on the week.
posted by tron7 at 07:18 PM on November 15, 2011
John Fox is one hell of a coach. His success to talent ratio is off the charts, both Denver and Carolina.
posted by cixelsyd at 12:33 AM on November 16, 2011
Denver should have a huge mural of "Touchdown Tebow" that looks into the stadium.
posted by dyams at 06:06 AM on November 16, 2011
Sportsfilter Discussions About Tebow > Tebow
Yeah, I know it's lame, but the whole "> Tebow" thing has just hit the kids at the international school in Phnom Penh. My son uses it without really knowing what it's about. FYI.
posted by owlhouse at 08:37 PM on November 16, 2011
That says something about Kansas City's defense. They couldn't stop Denver from running the ball even though they knew a run play was coming.