Picking Tim over Team
“But while that’s the ideal situation for Broncos fans who see the potential in Tebow but want a proven talent like Manning to take the reigns, it’s not ideal for the Tebow fanatics who pick Tim over team.”
Photo by Ed Clemente Photography
No one wants to be fired, demoted or reclassified. It hurts the ego and makes you question why your talents weren’t valued more. It shines an unpleasant light on your shortcomings and makes you feel like no one wants you. Tim Tebow is feeling a bit of that right now as the Denver Broncos woo Peyton Manning after one of the strangest and thrilling sports news day in Colorado history.
Tebow is a little raw in more ways than one. We understand that. Reports are coming in that his family is livid over the Broncos pursuit of Manning, and I can’t expect Tebow to not be chaffed a little bit. No one likes to think they have solid footing in any relationship, only to have it pulled out from under them shortly after. But this situation is different. If it’s true that Tebow is upset over the Broncos interest in Manning, he needs to push away all the chattering in his ear and take a good long look at what’s really going on.
If Tebow was being thrown overboard for say, Jason Campbell, I would not only expect him to be upset, but the entire Broncos fanbase as well. Jay Cutler had at least a little solid footing when he became incensed over the talk of being traded for Matt Cassel. Cassel was an unproven commodity at that point and Cutler, despite his many, many, many flaws, can sling that ball like few can. Kyle Orton had every reason to be upset when he was supposed to be traded in favor of Tebow, but he kept his mouth shut and did what he was paid to do: play football. And sit on the bench.
If he is indeed upset as everyone is claiming, Tebow needs to realize that this is a unique situation. Peyton Manning could easily get fitted for his Hall of Fame jacket right now. He’s arguably one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the position and if healthy, can make the Broncos a contender immediately. With Tebow, they were only going to go as far as his development would allow them. With Manning at the helm, he could do worse than sitting back and learning from one of the best in the game.
But while that’s the ideal situation for Broncos fans who see the potential in Tebow but want a proven talent like Manning to take the reigns, it’s not ideal for the Tebow fanatics who pick Tim over team. It’s also not the best situation for John Elway who will still have to answer questions about Tebow even as he sits on the bench. But if a healthy Manning does come to the Broncos, he may not have to worry about it just yet. I like Tebow and want him to become a successful QB, but when you have a chance to add someone of Manning’s talent, the choice is clear as vodka. So why can’t the Tebow camp see that?
We still don’t know what Manning is going to decide, but what we do know is this has created a rift between Tebow and the Broncos. If he was smart, he’d take the demotion and learn under the wing of a great QB. It could extend his shelf life in the NFL and demonstrate that he is a team player and not out for just the glory of Tim Tebow. After all it’s Peyton Manning. If the Tebow can’t fully understand why this isn’t an insult, then he’s not the positive, saint most have made him out to be. Either way, it’s all about making the Broncos better, and if Tebow can’t take this as signal that he does in fact need to improve, he may be in the wrong business.
