Tim Tebow’s first start as the Denver Broncos quarterback came Sunday at Oakland, and it has been discussed, praised, questioned, debated for so long in advance of that start that you sometimes wonder what is left to say.
Only the future will tell us what it holds. You cannot predict it or rush it.
You can, however, prepare for it, and Tebow has worked very hard all year doing just that.
It is disappointing when you lose, and Sunday’s game at Oakland was an especially frustrating loss — if there is such a thing — in that the team fought so hard and played so well so often, but not well enough overall to get the win.
Nevertheless, Tebow’s performance excited Broncos fans and gave them new hope and promise for the future, however uncertain and unpredictable that future is at this writing.
But a game was played, Tebow went all the way at quarterback for his first time as a pro, and naturally, statistics were produced.
Once produced on the field, the statistics sit there on the pages of paper and they do not lie. They are comparative with other stats. Other games have been played by other pro quarterbacks over the 90 years of the National Football League. All the games lasted 60 minutes, and they all produced statistics.
A quick look at Tebow’s stats for one game, his first start, show this:
He had a 40-yard rushing touchdown and a 33-yard touchdown pass, making Tebow the first player since Michael Vick in 2002 to have a scoring run of 40 or longer and a scoring pass of 30 or longer in the same game. He is the first rookie to have accomplished this feat in pro football history.
He had a 100.5 passer rating at Oakland, the highest rating among the seven rookie quarterbacks who have made their starting debuts in 2010.
Tebow became the 15th rookie quarterback in NFL history to have a passer rating of 100 or more in his first pro start.
Among all Bronco rookie quarterbacks making their first start, all-time over the past 51 years, Tebow’s 100.5 rating is the best ever.
He rushed for 78 yards, more than John Elway ever gained on the ground in any game he ever played as a pro and second all-time among Bronco quarterbacks to the 120 by Norris Weese at Chicago on December 12, 1976.
In the 51 year-history of the Broncos, 42 quarterbacks have started for the team. Tebow’s 100.5 passer rating is seventh-best in his first game among all 42, including veterans, but ranks first among the 12 Broncos rookie quarterbacks in their first pro start.
So those are the stats.
You would always rather have a win, it is the only reason you play the game. No one is happy to lose, ever.
But any time the body of stats for a given game puts a player in the team and NFL record books, and even more notably when it is the first start of a career, that is an accomplishment and a step forward for a franchise and its fans, whether known as Broncos Country or Gator Nation, and in this case, both.
Tags: 2010, Denver Broncos, Jim Saccomano, Tim Tebow, Week 15
How about this… Broncos Country plus Gator Nation = BRONCOS NATION!!!
Lovin’ me some Tim Tebow. His passion gives me goose bumps!!!
We MUST get wicked on DEFENSE. We need a defense that’s passion meets Tebow’s. Then we will not be STOPPED!!!
McD’s notority will be for drafting the future HOF QB of the Broncos and getting fired in the same season!!! LOL
Great start to a great QBs future!!!!!
To all the Tebow Haters,there are a lot of Tebow revalators too!!!!haha.
It will always be Broncos Country!
DEFENSE in 2011
I am very disappointed in the ‘leaders’ on defense. Thomas, Vickersen, Haggan, Ayers, Bruton, Thompson, McBath, Hunter, Woodyard, Mays, and Dumerville are the only ones playing with heart so they can stay. The rest can go. Bye Bye.
I am most disappointed in Champ and B-Dawk. They are HOF and are not able to get the others to step up so lets bring in young thirtsy nasty talent that can match the passion displayed by Tebow every time he walks between the ‘white lines’ as he called it!!!
Offense – need a good TE – maybe we can get Chris Cooley from WAS…he hates Shannahan and wants out. Get rid of Graham (too old and slow).
Oh and M-Vick gets my vote hands down for MVP this year. He is a SUPER-STUD!!!
My wish list for HC would be Jon Gruden, Jim Harbaugh, Rick Dennison (in that order). and John Fox as D-coordinator.
Agree that we would really take some help=production from the TE position, someone who can make some plays on offense , just like Scheffler used to!
Graham is old and slow, terrible hands, you can’t rely on him on 3rd down if necessary, just get someone else…
I think Champ has played well and Dawkins has slowed down from the previous year… I think we should draft a good Safety!
Pass rush should be back on track when we get Doom, and Ayers would help a little there too..
I’m giving up on Moreno, just makes me mad he gets injured so often!
I also think we need a bruising back, just like Hillis lol! oohh wait, we got Landale White! I’ll give him a chance to take that spot until he proves wrong…
I would take a dominant DT as well to help stopping the freaking run!
What do you guys think? What should we do on the draft and FA??
And as for TT, I’m very happy for having him here! U do not need to throw it beautifully to be a great QB, just make smart decisions and find a way to get the ball to the receiver, no matter how it looks!
oh and by the way, Gruden would b my choice for HC!
Gruden would be a fine choice.
So – now we don’t have to hear all the calling for Tebow any more … he’s finally started a game … of course, they didn’t let him do much, so he didn’t do much … yeah, I know – 40 yd TD run, 33 yd TD pass (great catch by #84, by the way) … of course, once the Raiders knew he could run like that, he didn’t run like that any more … what I’m saying is – he looked okay … but certainly not a 100 QB rating … that statistic must be heavily influenced by a couple of big plays … I think he made probably 5 or 6 really good plays during the entire 60 minutes – the rest of the time he looked like a rookie QB … but that’s what he oughta look like … he’s NOT the 2nd coming (of Elway) yet … maybe he will be … sure hope so … now – if we only had a rookie DT who had the fire and drive that Tebow has, maybe we’d be started on our way back … this game looked a lot like all the others this year … the defense made a lot of good plays, but broke down 3 or 4 times, and that’s all it took … we were still in the game in the 4th quarter, but you could see what was going to happen … as Elway said earlier this year, the game comes down to 4 or 5 BIG plays, and we always seem to be on the wrong side of them … and I can’t believe the Studs fella – if you’re auditioning for a big job, why not take some chances … I’ve never seen a more conservative game call … that just isn’t Bronco football that I watched yesterday … even the Raider fans at the Casino felt sorry for me …
Actually, the stat is based on him not throwing any interceptions.
The QB rating-like all numbers-does not lie.
On Sunday, Sam Bradford had more completions, but he also threw interceptions.
Tebow will only improve with time and reps. I personally think he did pretty damn good in one of-if not the-the worst environments in the NFL.
If we actually had a defense, we may have won that game.
Jim, please keep these stats in mind, as Tebow is a keeper. He needs to have serious offseason time getting the reps and looks that he didn’t get last summer. He IS the best QB prospect the Broncos have had since Elway. No more letting him rot without reps! And btw, offload Orton’s ridiculous salary!
Let’s all remember this. You can like or dislike this Tebow Train, but what you can’t deny is how he led the offense!
Seriously, this guy has gotten zero offensive snaps with the first time for the last what? 13 weeks. THEN the head coach gets fired! Does anyone know who is calling the offensive plays yet? LOL!
I guess what I’m saying it wasn’t like this guy just got a start. He got his first start in week 13, his drafting head coach has been fired, and his first week with the 1st team offense was the week before the game.
Say what you want, he played! He played with heart! He played the way alot of us hoped he would!
Wanna bet it doesn’t get better the rest of the year and next?
So many times in life, energy and enthusiasm is contagious! Some people could care less about having to be motivated, but on the other hand, a lot of people LOVE IT!
I”m proud of you Tim. I think a lot of fans and players are proud of you! Considering the circumstances, not many people could’ve done what you have done! Nice job kid!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
All I want for Christmas is JJ Watt from Wisconsin and for Tebow to be handed the rains permanently!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep Quinn as the back up.
They signed Orton so they could get value out of him on trade. My prediction is that he goes to San Francisco, Arizona (even though I think McNabb ends up in Arizona), Miami, or Carolina for a 2nd and a 5th. It might also come down to where McDaniels ends up. He may want Orton with him.
McCoy has to figure out how to handle defenses putting 8 men in the box and pinning their ears back. The Raider played the entire game in the Broncos back-field. I would like to see some spread offense packages with E. Decker being added to the mix. Let’s see them blitz then. I’m talking 4 WR’s and Lance Ball (short, compact, and hard to locate). Worst case scenario, Tebow runs for a few yards, if no one gets open. If Denver keeps lining up in the I formation…nothing will change. The Raiders were teeing off on the Broncos running backs. Pass first, and run behind the pass, is the only way to be on top, now, in the NFL. Tebow can throw just fine…if no one is open, he is not apt to force the ball into coverage…he’s more apt to run for a 40 yard touchdown!!! Not so bad for his only mistake in the game, by the way. I’m excited to see what kind of adjustments the OC makes for the game against Houston.
Let Tebow play defense!!!! lol
x 10 x 84
x 19 x (Decker)
x (Ball)
x (Tebow)
i think if were going to stay with a 3-4 defense we need a big nose tackle to plug up the middle and offer some good run support. cant allow alomost 300 yds rushing specially to the raiders
I think thios was very impressive. Rookie debut in rainy weather and still was put in the record books of not just the teams but the entire NFL!!!!
thats saying something.
my wish list for HC is of course John Gruden, then Bill Cower, maybe even the guy from stanfprd cant think of his name.. ANd John Elway as GM… he owned the Crush who, unfortunatly, got shut down due to the AFL not having the fan base. John did win a couple Championships as I recall so i think he is qualified.. well qualified.
And we need to draft a couple good LBs in the draft and try to pick up a steller Def of player. But i am sure who ever we get will make some changes that are hopefuly for the better.
I had faith in Mcdaniels..see how far that got me lol!!!!!
O and I personally dont think Mcdaniels is going to end up any where at this point
I hope we dont get Gruden…he is a great offensive mind but he destroyed the Bucs. If he comes in with no control over personell decisions I would be ok with that. But we dont need another offensive-minded coach. We need a tough, young D-minded coach. Leslie Frazier comes to mind. However I dont think the vikes will let him go. But if he is available…he would be my choice.