Tebow supporters: Please, don’t make the extreme mistake of comparing your guy to Elway

January 24th, 2012, 1:49 pm · 12 Comments · posted by david ramsey

Say this about supporters of Tim Tebow:

They never give up. They never back down. Reality does not faze them.

I’ve heard from several Tebow supporters since the season ended. I look at his abysmal statistics in the Broncos final games and see Tebow is a prime reason the Broncos finished the season with four losses in their last five games.

Tebow supporters see something else entirely.

They place all blame elsewhere. Receivers dropped his passes. Coaches doomed him with conservative game plans.

And, my favorite:

Broncos guru John Elway drained Tebow’s confidence by declining to become a cheerleader of all things Timmy.

In Tebow’s final five games, he completed 49 of 121 passes, a horrid 40 percent completion rate. He threw for 891 yards, or 178 per game. He tossed 3 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.

Receivers did not drop 72 passes. Coaches did not throw 5 interceptions. Elway did not lose four games.

Tebow has a chance – a strong chance – to become a quality NFL starter. He could lead the Broncos for the next decade. He’s a superb leader and one of NFL history’s all-time great running quarterbacks. We all saw how he delivered in the late, tense moments of games.

But he faces tremendous challenges. He must improve his delivery. You can argue with this truth. That’s fine. But arguing about the truth never alters the truth. The truth has this habit of sticking around.

He must improve his accuracy. He must make quicker decisions in the pocket. He must realize it’s his left arm, and not his legs, that will carry him to NFL success.

A reader named Ray called me this week and suggested – strongly suggested – Tebow someday will rank as Elway’ s equal. I discouraged this idea. I strongly discouraged this idea. We enjoyed a friendly conversation but Ray would not be moved.

Tebow, he said, someday will rank as Elway’s equal. Remember, Elway is one of the top five quarterbacks ever to play the game.

Tebow has shown great maturity when he deals with his critics. He takes a wise stance:

He ignores them.

He would be wise to take the same approach toward his supporters.

As always, I’m interested in your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by.

I’m on Twitter. Hope you’ll join me: @davidramz

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The Bird says:

January 24, 2012 at 3:00 pm

Dave,

Who will have a longer and more meaningful career in the NFL? Time Tebow or Andy Dalton (that other QB you didn’t think was NFL worthy)?

rolodex says:

January 24, 2012 at 5:44 pm

I watched the 49′s and Giants game. I noticed that Alex Smith missed receivers, ran the option and took sacks because he did not throw the ball. However, not once did the announcers or halftime commentors make comment concerning his inability to be a NFL quarterback. They did not talk about his mechanics, decision making, etc even though he did not have a good game. It seems that one really likes Tebow or really doesn’t like Tebow. If you don’t like him it is because of his lack of “skills” and if you like him, his failures are because of others. I like him as the Bronco QB because he is fun to watch like Elway was and maybe he will prove to be a successful player over several seasons. For a fan, it has to fun to watch.

Rick says:

January 24, 2012 at 8:44 pm

Ramsey supporters: Please, don’t make the extreme mistake of comparing your guy for an objective sports reporter.

david ramsey says:

January 24, 2012 at 10:46 pm

The Bird – That’s a tough question. Never said Dalton or Tebow was not NFL worthy. Did voice doubts about either of them thriving as a starter. Both had strong seasons. I’ll be the first to say that.

Rick – You make a strong point. I’m not an objective sports reporter. I’m a columnist, paid to offer my opinions. And I don’t think you have to worry about warning my supporters.

I’m not like Tebow. He has millions of supporters,. I don’t have any.

January 25, 2012 at 7:49 am

Tebow is a great man as he raises the level of play of all his teammates despite any confidence from his Fox or Elway. He embodies the definition of a truly effective leader. His body will not be able to sustain the physical punishment of an entire 16 game schedule with all the running he does so his longterm career is very doubtful.

Andy Dalton on the other hand just had a PRO BOWL season as a rookie. I would call that a “strong” season as well.

Ernie Zippreplat says:

January 25, 2012 at 10:25 am

Wayne you are right, John Elway’s first season can not come close to the success that Tim Tbow had his first season!

Tim Fotinos says:

January 25, 2012 at 4:36 pm

Think of it this way. Who would you rather have as a FANTASY quarterback: Tim T or Kyle O? I’ll take Kyle. He delivers far more yards passing than Tim, more passing TDs, etc.

Now who’s more likely to be in the playoffs in 3 years? A toss-up. Five years? By then Tim may be the quarterback his cult expects him to be. Elway Himself needed a few years (and a new coach) to realize his potential. In that vein the two may be similar.

For now though Tim’s a apprentice quarterback who happens to be a very genuine, likeable person of strong faith. I’ll have coffee with him, but he’s not going to start my fantasy team.

Jane says:

January 25, 2012 at 4:40 pm

Must agree with Rolodex for sure!

Barry Noreen says:

January 25, 2012 at 5:00 pm

To rank with Elway, Tebow must win 2 Super Bowls and get the team to 3 more. It is not impossible, but highly unlikely. It is unfair to Tebow for his supporters to do that. How do we know? Because every Bronco QB that has played since Elway quit has been standing in Elway’s shadow. the fairest thing is to compare Tebow to Tebow — that is, watch for signs of improvement. He can make big plays but he is inconsistent. One sign of improvement, win or lose, would be to see him throw the ball accurately more often. Much as I hate to say it, Ramsey is right.

Chester Kemnitz says:

January 25, 2012 at 5:29 pm

Ramsey

We Can compare Tebow to Elway,
Elway started 1993 Where he started 10 games (4-6)
He was 123-259 (47.5% comp.)
7 TD 14 INT
That year Steve deberg 55.3% comp with (4-1) and
Gary Kubiak was 54.5% comp with a(1-0)

Now Tebow 2011 season 126-271 46.5% rating thats 1% under Elway
He finished as a Starter (7-4) thats 3 more games won.
He had 12TD 6 INT He win in that area but Tebow Had more Fumbles.
Fact tell you anything can happen if you have faith

FPC says:

January 27, 2012 at 9:56 am

David,
As with any first year starter….wait until next seasons production to decide what this young talent has to offer. It is my position, Elway was given his first three seasons to express his talents. I propose, Tebow have at least next preseason to prepare, learn a complete offense and function in the pocket as well as sustain his threat outside the pocket and on the ground. As for Elway, his break out years found him with a twenty and out play

January 27, 2012 at 10:01 am

Ass play, and he threw that pass if defended by one defender or four. Resulting in many interceptions. Lets give Tebow next season to flop or shine then we can all access the data and with confidence state he came in completely prepared and failed, or completely prepared and is on his way to matching any top ten QB in this game. To assign any comparisons or look at any data from this season and create a lasting decision, is absurd and you know that David.