Ah, August. It’s an exciting and relieving time for football fans. We’ve waited through the mundane months of May, June and July and now the 2012 NFL Preseason is already underway. Sure, it’s not the real thing, but it’s a taste, an appetizer if you will. And it sure beats watching minor leagues and players practice in camp.
Tim Tebow tried to turn water into wine last year. Sometimes it tasted unbelievably bad.
In other moments, however, especially when it really mattered, it tasted simply unbelievable.
OK, enough about alcohol. Tebow shined against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Denver’s debut in the postseason.
Granted, Tebow’s style had his downsides and he made his fair share of mistakes. However, if it wasn’t for the former first-round pick (25th overall in 2010), Denver never would have reached the postseason and won its division last season.
The team’s direction was headed south under Kyle Orton before Tebow turned things around for the franchise.
His style may be unconventional. His throwing motion at times can be pitiful.
Nonetheless, he has the potential and intangibles to develop into at least a solid starter in this league.
From the looks of things, he’s helped Mark Sanchez already become a better leader.
In addition, he was 8-5 as a starter last year (including the playoffs) and he dialed up some of the most fascinating finishes in thrilling, come-from-behind fashion that we’ve seen from the position in recent memory.
Whether or not he succeeds will depend on how well he continues to learn and grow.
But it’s amazing how quickly loyalty can change. The Mile High faithful can turn on you in a heartbeat.
All three QB’s are no longer in Denver(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Just ask Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler. On March 20, the Broncos brought in Tebow’s successor, before trading him to the New York Jets shortly thereafter. And the rest is history.
A first-ballot future Hall of Famer, Peyton Manning has been to two Super Bowls and is regarded as unquestionably one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.
Assuming he’s healthy, this team should be able to go the extra mile come December and January. But only time will tell.
As the season draws closer, players and fans alike continue to move forward. Additional questions to be answered include who will be the next “hero” in the city for the Bronco faithful, but perhaps the question should be who they are going to turn on next.
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