Misc. Monday – 12-12-11 - No, Tim Tebow is not an MVP candidate

The new Denver Broncos quarterback may be the most talked about sports figure in all of sports today, and definitely the talk of the NFL. Since a bye in week six, in a superstar-like fashion, Tim Tebow has assisted his team to a five-game winning streak and a tie for first place with the Raiders. But even with the magical run, it’s still not enough for him to be mentioned in the race for NFL league MVP.

The only chance that Tim Tebow has of reaching league MVP status is to lead his Broncos all the way to the Super Bowl. It looks like the Broncos may make the playoffs, but a Super Bowl birth seems a little lofty at this point, especially with the likes of Tom Brady, Ben Rothlisberger and the Baltimore Ravens defense looking like the main contenders in the AFC. Also, I wouldn't rule out the Houston Texans as being an interesting team, if they get in the playoffs.

The obvious argument as to why Tim Tebow should be considered for the league’s MVP is that he has been the designer of the miraculous turnaround in Denver. Tebow not only wins in the final minutes of close games, he does so while emerging as a leader, with respect pouring from his teammates. But Tebow is not the only player who has ever replaced a struggling or injured teammate and made his team a better. It happens more often then you think.

Other than the die-hard Florida Gators fans and the few believers in Denver, no one thought that Tim Tebow would be as effective a starter as he has been. And I was one that thought Tebow would be a better tight end or even linebacker in the NFL than a quarterback. It has been an amazing story and an amazing run, one that I hope doesn't end and the Broncos do make the Super Bowl, but the likelihood of that happening and the likelihood of Tebow being in the league MVP talk is pushing it just a bit too far.

Have NFL fans forgotten about Aaron Rodgers? The Green Bay quarterack and his surgical passing skills is the leader in MVP in my eyes, hands down. Granted Tebow has started two less games, so far this season (after 12 starts, which are all wins) Rodgers has 3,844 yards passing, 37 touchdowns to only 5 interceptions and a 70.6 completion percentage. Tebow has only thrown for 1,054 yards, thrown 10 touchdowns to only 1 interception and has a completion percentage of 47.5. Tebow has also rushed for 468, which agreed, is a part of his game that is better than Rodgers. Rodgers has 207 yards rushing through week 12. These stats show you just how far Tebow is away from being considered an MVP.

In week 13, just last week, Tebow had a coming out party as far as his passing, though completing 66.7 percent of his passes for 202 yards and 2 touchdowns. And Tebow only ran for 13 yards. However, an NFL quarterback’s completion percentage tends to stay pretty consistent as they get more experience. Only six quarterbacks since 1990 have begun their careers with completion percentages over their first 10 starts below Tebow's 47.5. They are Mike McMahon (43.8), Heath Shuler (43.9), Ryan Leaf (44.1), Anthony Wright (who? 47.2), Drew Bledsoe (47.4) and Akili Smith (48.2). To be named with these six players isn't such good thing and may be a bad omen for Tebow.

The minimal statistical evidence that Tebow is going to be a good pro quarterback also screams that Tebow is not to be mentioned in the league MVP talk this year. Tim Tebow's style of play is so drastically different than maybe any other quarterback who has ever played in the NFL, and what Tebow has accomplished so far this season is beyond what was expected by executive vice president of football operations and Bronco legend John Elway, as well as head coach John Fox. It's been a great story, and one I hope doesn't end. I would like nothing more than to see Tebow versus Rodgers in the Super Bowl, but that may be a bit lofty still.

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