Tim Tebow questionable for week 2 preseason exhibition
Tim Tebow is realizing that NFL players are not only bigger and faster than those in college, but they also hit much harder. Tebow better realize quickly that for him to have a long and prosperous life as a quarterback, he has to stay in the pocket and avoid scrambling and diving head first when defenders are barreling down on him.
Tebow, the Denver Broncos’ rookie quarterback, missed two consecutive practices and his home preseason debut at Invesco Field at Mile High is in jeopardy.
It is presumed that the former Gator suffered a rib injury during Denver’s preseason opener on Sunday night against Cincinnati, when he ran the ball in for a seven-yard touchdown on the very last play of the game, reminiscent of his college days in Florida. “I saw an opening, so I went to go get it and thankfully got in there," Tebow said.
With only three seconds left on the clock, players on both sides had a feeling that Tebow was going to run the ball and they were right. Tebow was hit by two Bengal defenders and fell to the ground. Everyone involved in this violent collision appeared to be shaken up.
"It was one of those things where you knew he was going to score on the last play of the game, either run it in or throw it in there," Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer said. "He's such a competitor. I've been a big fan of his ever since he started at Florida. He's one of the greatest college football players."
Yes, Tebow earned the respect of his teammates by lowering his head and showing pure guts and determination to get into the end zone for his first NFL touchdown although it is the preseason, but at what cost?
Tebow, who went eight of 13 for 105 yards in the second half of Sunday’s game, participated in both workouts Tuesday when the Broncos reconvened for camp at Dove Valley. Then, effects of the collision became too much for the rookie to bear and he had to withdraw from Wednesday’s practice, holding his left side as he walked off the field.
Starter Kyle Orton and back-up Brady Quinn are expected to share all the snaps during Saturday’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions, and are focusing solely on their game right now and how they can improve. "I don't want to focus on that right now," Quinn said when asked about the team's latest injury. "I'm just focusing on getting better and getting ready for Detroit."
Tebow is the latest big name in the Broncos' injury list, joining running backs LenDale White, Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter. Luckily for the Broncos, Tebow’s injury doesn't appear to be too serious and he should not miss the remainder of the preseason.
Tebow became a legend in college and was awarded the 2007 Heisman Trophy, the highest praise for a college football player, for his ability to run the ball with speed and elusiveness and combine his talents as a runner with those of a passer.
But after sustaining his first NFL injury at the hands of former Packers third-round pick Abdul Hodge, it would be wise for the rookie quarterback to avoid contact in his next preseason exhibition game, so that he can stay on the field and attend practice in order to improve his game and maybe scratch out Quinn’s name as second on the depth and replace it with his. But that wouldn’t happen if Tebow is nursing injuries instead of being out on the field with his teammates and playing football.
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