Tebow’s debut: the good, the bad and the ugly

Considering every other media outlet has or will dissect Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Tim Tebow‘s first game as a professional, OGGOA figured we would take a look at the former Florida Gators signal caller’s performance by breaking it down into three categories: the good, the bad and the ugly. Throughout Sunday night’s game, Tebow displayed much of what helped him succeed at Florida – a strong arm, good pocket awareness, solid decision making and the ability to go through his progressions. However, there were some faults to his game to point out as well (see below).

Keep reading for more details and a video complete with all of Tebow’s highlights.

THE GOOD
Tebow’s first drive (from Denver’s 35): Completing a dump-off pass to tight end Marquez Branson for five yards on 1st and 10 before throwing up a deep bomb to wide receiver Matt Willis that hit him in stride but was simply dropped, Tebow showed solid pocket awareness and arm strength that should have resulted in a the chains being moved quite close to the end zone.

Tebow’s second drive (from Denver’s 26): He avoided the pass rush with a quick pass to WR Britt Davis on 2nd and 11 for a nice seven-yard gain, showing his ability to find open receivers. [See: THE BAD]

Tebow’s third drive (from Denver’s 16): After an incomplete pass on 1st and 10, Tebow completes a six-yard pass down the middle to running back Bruce Hall before hitting WR Alric Arnett deep down the right side of the field for a 21-yard gain and a first down. [See: THE UGLY]

Tebow’s fourth drive (from Denver’s 27): He completes four-straight passes for 17, 9, 7 and 33 yards, respectively, to get the Broncos down to the 7-yard-line. After a toss into the end zone that arguably should have been caught by Branson, Tebow scrambled up the middle with no time remaining on the clock for his first professional touchdown.

THE BAD
Tebow’s second drive (from Denver’s 26): Looking again at Willis on 3rd and 4, Tebow sailed a pass over his head down the right sideline which was nearly intercepted.

THE UGLY
Tebow’s third drive (from Denver’s 43): On 2nd and 9, he is sacked after the offensive line allows Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins a clear path to their quarterback. The following play, Tebow is once again taken down and fumbles the ball, though it is eventually reversed to an incomplete pass. A poor snap salvaged by Tebow carrying it up the middle forces the drive to come to a conclusion.

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QUOTES
Tebow on getting booed by the Ohio crowd: “Yeah, I heard it. [Laughing] It got me more excited to go out there and play.”

Tebow on his critics: “I don’t listen too much to what people say. I’m just trying to be focused and be better every day. I try to be a teammate on this team and not worry about what people say.”

Head coach Josh McDaniels on Tebow’s performance: “Tim showed the ability to take what the defense gave him late, in that two-minute drive. He didn’t panic. He showed some toughness getting it in, and I thought he made some loose plays. That’s part of him. You can’t script him in practice, but sometimes he’s going to make those plays and when he makes them, sometimes they’re big ones.”

Quotations above courtesy of The Denver Post.

Photo Credit: Ed Reinke/Associated Press