Did Tim Tebow Prove Himself to Denver Broncos...

Winners like other winners. It's a thing in professional sports. Larry Bird is good friends with Magic Johnson. That attitude may also spread to job security and love life as Tim Tebow may have won over the Denver Broncos and Lindsey Vonn.

Anyone who watched the classic game between Denver and the Pittsburgh Steelers saw Tebow do something he hasn't done all year. He beat a team throwing the football. The young and often criticized quarterback piled up 316 yards on just 10 completions including an unforgettable 80-yard touchdown bomb that won the game in overtime. That performance showed that perhaps with time he can become a true NFL quarterback. While Broncos fans savor the victory, it has put some unexpected pressure on general manager John Elway. The franchise icon believed in Tim Tebow enough to offer advice before the game to cut loose; advice that got followed beautifully. Now, Elway has the difficult question of the offseason facing him: does he give Tebow a new contract or still pursue a new quarterback in the draft? It's very hard to base that decision off one stirring performance, magical as it was. Perhaps the decision will become easier after Denver plays New England next week.

Lindsey Vonn has been mum on the Tebow subject for over a month since she set headlines ablaze by stating she could see herself dating him. The Olympic skiing champion just got out of her four-year marriage and has placed her focus on her craft of late. Unfortunately, a string of bad breaks has made recent runs hard to stomach. Illness unraveled her hopes at a Super-G event in Switzerland. Now one wonders if she might be losing her edge with her home life out of sync. That's why the Tim Tebow question becomes such a juicy topic. The Denver Broncos quarterback sees Vonn as a dear friend, but hasn't voiced his interest in dating. Now that he officially has a playoff victory under his belt in just his second year, his desirability to someone like Lindsey Vonn is unmistakable. Will she follow through on her interest or was she just a colossal tease about the matter?

Beating the injury-riddled Pittsburgh Steelers at Mile High was one thing. Now Tebow must do the impossible and upset the powerhouse New England Patriots. Their future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady is eagerly targeting his fourth Super Bowl title and probably can't wait for Denver to arrive in Foxboro. After all, New England played Tebow just a few weeks ago and won handily behind a classic Brady offensive bombardment. Lindsey Vonn and John Elway, afterall, are entertaining sideshows, but if Tebow wants to show them and the NFL world he's the real thing, then an impossible victory against the best quarterback of a generation will do it.

Comments: 14

Rose Hill Jan 9, 2012, 12:51pm UTC

All I know is that Richard was ecstatic that Tebow managed to keep the Steelers at bay. Maybe he's coming into his own under pressure.
We have lots of Steeler fans as friends so I won't say it out loud - YAY !!!!!!!!!

Erik Lambert Jan 9, 2012, 12:54pm UTC

Believe me, I want to get into the hype but even now I must hold off on Tebow. If you watched that game, he was rarely pressured all day. Don't take that wrong. He made all the throws but I just wonder if it would've gone like that if half the Pittsburgh roster weren't in the ER. A great win for the Broncos though, perhaps a little revenge for that bitter loss back in 2005.

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Werner V. Jan 9, 2012, 12:57pm UTC

7-15-35-8...15's got the ball...but play's ended.

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Lee C. Jan 9, 2012, 1:24pm UTC

Please don't be offended but I see some of your statements, Eric, as laughable.

"That performance showed that perhaps with time he can become a true NFL quarterback."

How much "truer" can he get as a NFL quarterback?

"...but if Tebow wants to show them and the NFL world he's the real thing, then an impossible victory against the best quarterback of a generation will do it."

I doubt that. If people don't see Tebow as a real NFL player now, they are not likely to if the Broncos were to beat the Patriots. Tebow is always going to have his detractors and naysayers.

I don't claim to be an expert on Tim Tebow, but he appears to be loyal to his team mates and Bronco fans. That being said if John Elway decides to find another starting quarterback, Tebow will likely consider any options he has in joining a different team. And with his talent and his growing fan base he won't have much trouble finding a new team to play as quarterback.

And can we get off the Lindsey Vonn/Tebow rumors? Yes they are friends. Can we leave it at that? Can two sports players of the opposite sex be friends without all the tabloid journalism that often goes with it? I have my own take on their friendship, but I will keep it to myself.

Erik Lambert Jan 9, 2012, 2:27pm UTC

Don't think for a second that I'm not apprised of the Tebow question, Lee. I will be the first to proclaim he's an unbelievable teammate, leader and competitor. He's won at every level he's played at. But he still hasn't had his signature game in my mind. Until he beats a top notch, healthy opponent with his own skill rather than a late-game burst, I'm not saying he's good or not.

I will say this. If he beats New England, I'm on the bandwagon. I've always liked the Denver franchise and am glad they're back to winning playoff games, especially against the Pittsburgh Steelers. As to the Lindsey Vonn topic, it's very hard to ignore. She's the only woman Tebow has been romantically linked to and the more he wins the more high-profile their union would become. It's an interesting topic, if a tad overblown.

Lee C. Jan 10, 2012, 6:05pm UTC

I see I spelled your name wrong in my first comment. Sorry Erik.

And I do respect your opinion of Tebow. To me being an exceptional leader, teammate and competitor in the NFL makes him a "true" NFL player. There are other player too who don't play as much and dont' get any of the spotlight that I would say are true NFL players because they are loyal, committed and inspire others on their team. I would consider someone who has poor stats but plays as a team player and inspires his teammates is more of a NFL player than someone who has great stats but is only interested in making themselves look good.

I half agree with faye's comment below. I highly doubt Tim Tebow will choose to marry some one who is divorced. And I highly doubt there is anthing "romantic" about his relationship with Lindsey in the eyes of Tebow. Tim appears to be the type of person to make friends from all walks of life. He seems to be interested in getting to know people no matter what their background. He loves people. But I would also have to say Never, say Never.

Lee C. Jan 10, 2012, 6:12pm UTC

And one more thing. If Tebow has to be a "successful" NFL player in the eyes of people in order to "prove" himself to Lindsey Vonn, then why would he want her? A true test of friendship is when a friend is still a friend during the "bad" times. Ok. I said I had my own take on their friendship and would keep it to myself. Sorry, just couldn't help myself.

Erik Lambert Jan 10, 2012, 6:28pm UTC

I agree, Lee. Great NFL players shouldn't be limited to the stat sheet. There are a handful I could name who never got much love in the highlights but several teammates admitted were the real heart and soul of the team. Greatness goes far beyond playing well on Sunday. That's why I think Drew Brees will go down as an all-timer when he retires, because he strives to be great at more than just playing quarterback. Tebow is cut from that same cloth. He has athletic talent but my biggest issue with him is inconsistency and poor throwing mechanics. I swear if he could deliver a football faster he'd be one of the biggest rising stars in football.

And your second comment speaks true. Tebow deserves somebody who doesn't care whether he succeeds or not. He's good for the sport in this era of thuganomics, long hair, and tatoos. He needs a woman from a similar mold.

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Ali Hussein Lopez Jan 9, 2012, 1:30pm UTC

Still not convinced. He had stats for the game (10-21) that Drew Breese would have bettered in the first quarter. If he had hit some of his open throws the game wouldn't have been that close, and he still can't throw a consistent spiral. He throws into windows that get his wide receivers killed.

He did a decent job, but the hype around here is deafening. Thomas is the guy who should be lauded as winning that game: two great stiff arms and outrunning the defensive backs at 6'5", 230.

Erik Lambert Jan 9, 2012, 2:32pm UTC

In fairness, Ali, Tebow is in his second year and still learning to adjust to professional game speed. Drew Brees is the best quarterback in football, to me anyway, and has been around for ten years. Even he doesn't always throw great spirals. Check out the highlights of the Lions game for proof. I can't and won't make that comparison until Tebow has had more time to develop. I will say this, I never planned to hand the game ball to Tebow for beating Pittsburgh or even Thomas. That honor belongs to the Denver offensive line, who straight out owned the Steelers all day. It's easy to throw bombs when you don't have to worry about pressure. We'll see if Tebow can replicate his performance in Foxboro next week without the home crowd behind him.

Ali Hussein Lopez Jan 9, 2012, 2:53pm UTC

I think it was less a commentary on the Denver offensive line, than how banged up the Steeler's D was. Remember, they lost two defensive linemen in the first half.

Tebow had all day to throw, and he still couldn't make 50% of his throws. He throws an awful looking ball most of the time, but it's easier in a way to make long heaves downfield and let your receivers run under them than to his a guy ten yards away.

He may get better, I'm not convinced yet.

We'll see next week, the Broncos are still a work in progress.

Erik Lambert Jan 9, 2012, 2:57pm UTC

Oh, no question Pittsburgh was banged up but they weren't getting ANY pressure, not even from the linebackers who are supposed to be the best rushers. Tebow had some pretty nice throws. The one to Eddie Royal in the endzone was a beauty and the one to Thomas for the win was placed perfectly in stride. He can be accurate, but needs to do it more often. That's where he needs work, that and his throwing mechanics.

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faye dallas Jan 10, 2012, 12:03am UTC

Tebow is a born again Christian.He will never date Lindsey.He is a virgin who has never had a girlfriend and she is a divorcee.She was gettig close to Robby who invited her to the game against the Bears.Tebow will marry a virgin who will have lots of baby and do missionary work.I laugh cos when you guys see who she is and all you will be surprised.Good job against the Steelers.

Erik Lambert Jan 10, 2012, 12:05am UTC

In the immortal words of another annoying fan sensation, faye: Never Say Never.

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Did Tim Tebow Prove Himself to Denver Broncos and Lindsey Vonn?

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