This past Sunday I had the chance to watch a full day of the NFL in the Harlem Football
Lounge, better known as the home of two good friends of mine. On a day that saw Cam
Newton power the Carolina Panthers to a win with his seventh rushing touchdown of the
season and Plaxico Burress grab three TD passes for the New York Jets over San Diego,
the biggest story took place in Miami. And it was written by 'Quarterback Jesus' himself,
Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos.

Tebow became the starter for the hapless Broncos due to Kyle Orton's bad play and the
almost rabid insistence of Broncos fans. If people are willing to shell out twenty thousand
for a billboard demanding he play, that's a serious level of demand. And despite playing
below average for most of the game and getting sacked SEVEN TIMES, Tebow managed
to not only throw two touchdowns in the last five minutes, but he ran the ball in for a
2 point conversion that even the Blind Boys of Alabama could have told you was coming.
I yelled out in disbelief watching the play with everyone else. The game was clinched in
overtime thanks to the defense and a 52-yard field goal. And thus, Tebow smote his foes
for the first time in his career. But it still hasn't shut down the raging debate about whether
he can be an NFL quarterback. But that's not the biggest issue folks have with him.


You see, Tim Tebow is probably the most polarizing figure in the NFL if not the entire
sports world. There really is no middle ground when it comes to him. It's been like
this since his days at the University of Florida. His run and gun, rambling play combined
with his clean-cut good looks and a charming personality made him a star. He's the
guy you'd imagine Michael Bay barking out orders to get from central casting if he
was to do a football movie. The one thing that ties all that together like a scarlet ribbon
is his devout belief in Christianity. Tebow has been very outspoken about this, from
appearing in a TV ad against abortion with his mother to putting Bible verse numbers
on his eye black. Word is he even tried to lead fellow rookies in prayer at a testing session
at the combine. It's that strident faith and his willingness to talk about it that has people
throwing rocks and ragging on him. There are people, atheist and Christian who feel he's
too 'preachy'. Folks who feel that he's too pristine, too boy-next-door for their tastes. In
a way, he's kind of like a character in the acclaimed movie 'North Dallas Forty' with Nick
Nolte. Now I'm not one to rag on someone for their beliefs. We're in a nation where we're
supposed  to be tolerant even if there's a bit too much zeal. No, my beef is with his skills
as a player at the professional level.


Granted, he was a GREAT player in college. But he also was a player who
loved to throw himself into the fray. There were a couple of games in college
where he made some Madden-type moves, like jumping up in the air to
make passes. He got his clock cleaned severely in his senior year during
such a play. He has the same issues that Michael Vick had coming into the
league; he relies too much on his athletic ability. If John Elway and your
own coach had you behind Orton and BRADY QUINN, that says a lot. You
can't carry on like that in the NFL and most of the analysts do feel he's got
a lot of work to do. Tebow has to learn all of the nuances of the position at
the pro level on the job now. He can't keep making 360 degree spins in the
pocket. No more jump passes; imagine him doing that against someone like
Ray Lewis or James Harrison? Most importantly, Tebow and the Broncos need
to grow together. Beating the Dolphins isn't a major achievement; they're a
winless squad with a lame duck coach and both teams were 0 for 16 on third
down conversions into the third quarter. Tebow himself was 4 for 10 for only
40 yards until that magical last five minutes of regulation. Not exactly savior
material.

It remains to be seen if Tebow will be Quarterback Jesus, the second coming of
Jonh Elway or just a decent fill-in. The Broncos play the Detroit Lions next. I
wonder what kind of Biblical angle the sports media will put on that game. And
if Tebow can get over 200 yards passing.