“Meaningless” NFL games can mean so much.
Just ask Texans coach Gary Kubiak, whose job security is in serious doubt after losing in Denver. Or Dolphins coach Tony Sparano, who is feeling the heat after a gag job against the Lions.
You could also ask the guys in Broncos quarterback room. With his performance on Sunday, Tim Tebow greatly helped his chances of being the Broncos starter next year. He’s complicated the team’s next coaching search. Kyle Orton now seems more likely to be available in a trade.
The qualifiers: Yes, Tebow’s effort came against “the worst pass defense in the history of football at any level since the beginning of time.” The Texans have made a lot of guys look good.
Still, those entirely dismissing Tebow’s 308 passing yard, two score performance in a 17-point comeback win are missing the point. He’s a rookie quarterback, and rookie quarterbacks are graded on a huge curve.
(That’s why Sam Bradford, statistically among the worst QBs in football, earns deserved praise. Check out the records Tebow broke Sunday.)
Folks claiming that Tebow’s first two games prove he can make it in the NFL are being similarly reactionary. (Although Josh McDaniels should feel somewhat vindicated.) Tebow clearly needs to develop his vertical passing skills, and defenses will adjust to him. It’s just two games. JaMarcus Russell looked promising early too.
The difference between Tebow and Russell is that Tebow’s teammates believe in him.
“I’ve never seen a winner lose. He’s a winner,” Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey said via the AP. “And I expect him to win a lot of games as a pro quarterback. Hopefully, I’m around here to see him do it.”
Tebow has a long way to go. But the next Broncos coach should want to see more from Tebow after these promising two starts in “meaningless” games.
