Is Tim Tebow good?

Watching the Broncos play the Dolphins this past Sunday was interesting. During most of the first half it seemed as though both teams were trying to lose as much as anything. For new starting quarterback Tim Tebow it was certainly an inauspicious start. There was one good play, a twenty yard rush up the middle featuring an escape from the goal line saving the team what could have resulted in a safety. Tebow brought the Broncos close twice but one mid-length and one long field goal attempt were missed by kicker Matt Prater. Other than that, third down conversions were non-existent, drives stalled often and his passes seemed off-target the worst sailing several feet above the outstretched arms of a visibly perturbed Knowshon Moreno.

By the time the fourth quarter came around, the Broncos found themselves trailing 15 nothing and seemed intent on definitively sealing a reputation as one of the worst teams in football and inserting themselves ahead of Miami in the race to the bottom for a claim on the number one draft pick next spring for a chance on the latest sure-thing college quarterback. Then things started to happen. First downs and completed passes and then a touchdown. At least the final score wouldn’t be completely embarrassing. An on-side kick was recovered by an alert special teamer who also forced a fumble. That led to a last minute touchdown caught by the same tight end that caught the series saving drive on the previous touchdown followed by a two point conversion run by Tebow who had the defense a bit confused by a five receiver set. Miami went on offense first in overtime and gave it away to Denver almost in field goal range. A few plays later and Prater made good on his third attempt winning the game and leaving Denver 2 games behind in the AFC west.

The question left is whether or not Tim Tebow is any good. As many have already stated, the game provided ample data points for fans and detractors. The Broncos won the game and that’s what counts, but it was against perhaps the worst team in the league. In the weeks ahead as the season matures an answer will become clear. If the wins begin to accumulate it would seem that Tebow is good, regardless of traditional metrics. If not, then the team will have to start over. Those cheering on orange and blue laundry will hope for the best. And if Tebow leads the Broncos to wins he will be embraced by the fan base even more so than today.