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Is Tim Tebow the Denver Broncos' MVP?

Posted on: December 7, 2011 6:26 pm
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Tebow shouldn't be an NFL MVP candidate but he's certainly in the running for team MVP, right? (US PRESSWIRE/AP)

By Ryan Wilson

If Philip Rivers has been one of the league's most disappointing quarterbacks on one of the league's most disappointing teams, Tim Tebow has been just the opposite. What he's done has taken everybody by surprise, including head coach John Fox and Broncos executive VP John Elway.

Yes, Tebow has benefitted from an improved Denver defense, and more importantly, a revamped offensive game plan that predates the forward pass but spotlights Tebow's strengths: running the option (with an emphasis on "running").

Tebow's had so much success in such a short period of time that in two months the conversation has gone from "Might as well let him play, the Broncos are 1-4" to "Holy crap, Denver's 6-1 with Tebow under center!" to "Should Tebow get MVP consideration?"

The MVP talk might sound like the ramblings of a mad man, but it's gained traction in the media. We even brought it up on Monday's Pick-6 Podcast and discussed it again during Wednesday's expert live chat.

And while most folks (us included) don't think Tebow is MVP material, he's certainly worth of team MVP consideration, right? Along with our CBSSports.com colleague Will Brinson, we came up with a short list of Broncos players in the running for the award (in random order):

* Tim Tebow. The Broncos are 6-1 with him. His numbers are forgettable, although he does play better in the fourth quarter than he does in the first three, and his passing has improved marginally in recent weeks. Still, he ranks as one of the league's worst quarterbacks in terms of total value and value per play (as measured by Football Outsiders). But...

His intangibles make up for his physical shortcomings. Namely: the ability to inspire his teammates. Yes, this sounds like some hacky, new-age nonsense, and if we were talking about anyone other than Tebow that's exactly what it would be. But like a lot of things, Tebow's the exception.

* Willis McGahee. The Bills' 2003 first-round pick saw his career stall with the Ravens from 2007-10. In 11 games with the Broncos this season, McGahee is averaging 4.9 yards per attempt and is on pace for 1,200 yards (it would be the first time he eclipsed 1,000 yards in three years). An effective running game sets up everything else the Broncos want to do offensively and McGahee is a big part of that.

* Elvis Dumervil, Von Miller. Going by the raw numbers, the Broncos' defense is mediocre. They're also opportunistic (sorta like Tebow), which has been a big part of their success.

* Eric Decker. On paper, Demaryius Thomas should more valuable, but Decker is Tebow's favorite target as evidenced by his eight touchdown grabs. That's hard to overlook. Also worth noting: his 39 receptions are 21 more than the nearest receiver.

We could even add John Fox's name to the list. There aren't many coaches who would run a high school offense to fit their personnel. Of course, Fox didn't have much choice; the Broncos were dreadful the first five weeks of the season with Kyle Orton. And the Lions embarrassed Tebow when he tried to run a conventional offense. In evoluationary terms, Fox would have three choices: adapt, migrate or die. He adapted. And now the Broncos appear headed for the playoffs. Which explains why we're even entertaining thoughts of Tim Tebow, NFL MVP.

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Category: NFL
Tags: Denver Broncos, Elvis Dumervil, Eric Decker, John Fox, Ryan Wilson, Tim Tebow, Von Miller, Willis McGahee
 
Comments

Since: Dec 10, 2011
Posted on: December 10, 2011 10:29 am
 

Is Tim Tebow the Denver Broncos' MVP?

This is the typical post for people who have to have something to say even when the guy plays well. Is your excuse REALLY that the only reason for Tebows passing numbers against the Vikings because "the Vikes defense broke down"? So now the only way he can truly be tested is if ALL the recievers are covered and he still completes passes? Really?

I suppose when Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers completes a pass the recievers are covered EVERY time? They never throw to an open receiver?

How ridiculous can you be?

I especially like this little gem: "Ohh, and basically aside from the poor showing against the Vikings, the Broncos defense has been pretty strong the past 5 or 6 weeks - enabling the team to win with practically ZERO from the passing game."

So when the Broncos win, it's the great defense. When the Defense DOESN'T play well and the Broncos STILL win it's because The other teams defense played badly?

that's real logic right there.

Do you REALLY think a coincidence that big can exist, that the defense just happened to start playing well when Tim Tebow became the starter?

Why were they 1-4 at the beginning of the season?

Since: Dec 10, 2011
Posted on: December 10, 2011 10:21 am
 

Is Tim Tebow the Denver Broncos' MVP?

How long is this nonsense going to go on? At what point are we going to simply talk about Tim Tebow like we do every other QB?

If he were any other QB with these kinds of stats there would be no question as to whether or not he should be in the Pro Bowl or  "the long term answer" or any other accolade. But since it's Tim Tebow who "thanks his lord and savior Jesus Christ" after every game (win or lose) he gets scrutinized like no other.

He is playing so much better than John Elway did at this point in his career that if Elway and Tebow were on the same team back then Elway would be the back up!

He is obviously getting better each week. His passing numbers against the Vikings were great. He protects the ball, he can run, he can pass, but most importantly, HE CAN WIN. Something, John Elway, Troy Aikman, Peyton Manning, and many other second year QB's wish they could have done then and now.

Since: Dec 8, 2011
Posted on: December 8, 2011 12:33 pm
 

Is Tim Tebow the Denver Broncos' MVP?

madness... Tebow for mvp www.tebowformvp.com

Since: May 17, 2007
Posted on: December 8, 2011 4:40 am
 

Is Tim Tebow the Denver Broncos' MVP?

Ironic, the first thing mentioned in this article is the subpar season Philip Rivers is having....  That's just one of PLENTY of things that have fallen into place to give the illusion that Tim Tebow is some kind of special player/QB in the NFL.  He isn't.  Maybe he can become that, but he isn't at present.


Anyone watching that game agianst the Vikings would have seen that Betty Friggin White coulda posted Tebow's passing stats in that game (the Vikings pass defense was beyond horrible, it was completely absent).   Ohh, and basically aside from the poor showing against the Vikings, the Broncos defense has been pretty strong the past 5 or 6 weeks - enabling the team to win with practically ZERO from the passing game.  5 wins and not more than 10 pass completions in ANY of them - and this is in the NFL.  Anyone thinking this will last is.................................

......fill in the blank here folks...

Even if Tebow does improve as an NFL QB, which I don't doubt he will, I for one would hedge my bets the rest of the NFL will improve at a faster pace in figuring out how to nullify/minimize "the Tim Tebow phenomenon"...  &nbs
p; And, basically, Tebow will wind up like Vince Young.  I challenge someone to keep this post and bring it back into discussion on here like 2 or 3 years from now........ that would be interesting I'm sure.  (If Tebow is still a top ten starting NFL QB 3 or 4 seasons from now, and by the silly-mania going on now many think he is that now, I will eat plenty of crow, and will most likley have had to eat some well prior to that).

For the record, I passed on picking up Tebow in FF a few weeks backs, even though I have the struggling Philip Rivers this year.  Even so, I'm the top seed going into my FF playoffs this coming weekend, even after losing Fred Jackson to IR. (I get a bye Week 14).  I have Kyle Orton as a backup QB and like the chances of him getting more FF points than Tebow in Week 15 (Chiefs play the Packers and it looks like that will be Ortons 1st start as a Chief, MAYBE, given his finger injury -- that's how much I'm buying into Tebow-mania).

Like I've siad to others, if you're on his bandwagon, enjoy it while it lasts.....
 



      
;     &nbs
p;

Since: May 22, 2010
Posted on: December 8, 2011 1:00 am
 

Is Tim Tebow the Denver Broncos' MVP?

Tebow sucks and anyone who is buying into the hype will be really embarrassed one day.

Since: Dec 7, 2011
Posted on: December 7, 2011 10:01 pm
 

Is Tim Tebow the Denver Broncos' MVP?

Tim Tebow makes watching the Broncos fun again. It has been many seasons of disappointment for Broncos Fans, and now, win or lose the game is exciting until the final tick. He is definitley the "MVP" to date.

Since: Jan 8, 2009
Posted on: December 7, 2011 9:15 pm
 

Is Tim Tebow the Denver Broncos' MVP?

Yes. He is not a good throwing qb, but they belive in him and he is winning. How long can it last?

Since: Dec 7, 2011
Posted on: December 7, 2011 7:26 pm
 

Is Tim Tebow the Denver Broncos' MVP?

You wrote:The MVP talk might sound like the ramblings of a mad man, but it's .
You should have written:
The MVP talk might sound like the ramblings of a mad man, so it's .

Since: Nov 27, 2011
Posted on: December 7, 2011 7:24 pm
 

Is Tim Tebow the Denver Broncos' MVP?

He has definitely become the Broncos MVP . His competitive passion to do what it takes, 100 percent effort and dedication should be acknowledged. He has a lot of people drinking the tebow kool aid so why not recognize it from the Bronco organization


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