The Last Time People Thought Tim Tebow Would Be Cut, He Was in the Playoffs - Bleacher Report

It's difficult for those who cannot understand the brilliance of Tim Tebow. 

Currently one of the greatest NFL winners, Tebow has exceeded expectations for a quarterback labeled a poor thrower. As a career 47.3 percent passer averaging 103.6 yards, the statistics support the argument. 

His limitations as a passer haven't led to instant success for him, though. He's had his ups and downs. 

Against the Detroit Lions, he was sacked seven times and threw for 172 yards last year. In the 45-10 loss, the Broncos were outplayed in all facets of the game. 

Tebow completed 9-of-26 passes for 136 yards and was sacked five times when the Broncos met the New England Patriots in the second game of the NFL playoffs. As for his opposition, Tom Brady had six touchdowns and 363 yards, finishing the game with a QB rating of 137.6.  

But Tebow's successes have outshined his pitfalls.  

Initially starting last season in Week 4, Tebow galvanized the Denver Broncos. He won seven of the eight games he played, and put his team into the playoffs. With three overtime victories during the regular seasonâ€"scoring the game winning touchdown against his current team, the New York Jetsâ€"he brought energy to the Broncos' fan base. 

Few believed Tebow could pull off a victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers when the Broncos enter the playoffs as a wild-card team. But he played his best game as a professional quarterback, throwing for 316 yards and two touchdowns in Denver's victory.

Broncos' fans thought their team was dead early in the season, but Tim Tebow led them into the playoffs.
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Tebowâ€"who has since been replaced in Denver by future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manningâ€"has continued to work to improve himself. 

Coming into Jets camp in the best shape of his life, Tebow has bulked up because of the role that he will be playing for the Jets.

As Tebow is averaging 5.4 yards a carry thus far in his career, Jet's Coach Rex Ryan is looking to implement Tebow in the goal-line situations. Tebow also will be on the field to move the chains on third and short, and third and one situations.  

Coaches will find ways to win using the skills that Tebow posses, though critics will find ways to say why he still cannot win because of the skills he does not posses.  

Pro Bowl quarterback Boomer Esiason had this to say about Tebow on New York sports radio station, WFAN:

“I just think this whole thing â€" at least from my perspective right now in relation to who Mark Sanchez is, your starting quarterback â€" is a major mistake,” Esiason said.

Tebow will have to compete with starting quarterback Mark Sanchez for the Jets' starting position.  

The hard working spirit that Tebow has brought to the Jets has elevated the spirit of competition on the team. That's including the play of Sanchez, who led the Jets to the AFC championship game twice. 

Boomer Esiason had some harsh criticism for the quarterback who has not started a full season.
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Entering the season, the starting quarterback position is Mark Sanchez's position to lose. 

Via only completing 54 percent of his passes in his career, how much better than Tebow is Sanchez really? Though Sanchez is better passer, his biggest problem is his ability to limit turnovers. He has thrown only four more touchdowns (55) than interceptions (51) during three seasons with the Jets. 

Last season Sanchez threw 18 interceptions. During his rookie season he threw for 20. 

In fact during this year's training camp, both quarterbacks have seen their share of struggles.

The Jets' defense is dominating training camp this year. Continually putting pressure on the quarterbacks, the defense is getting sacks and forcing fumbles and interceptions. 

At one point during a scrimmage, which was supposed to last from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Ryan ended practice promptly at 7:15 because of the inefficiency of the Jets' offense.

Nevertheless, the last time Tebow was called to be cut and then demoted to fourth string on the Denver Broncos' depth chart, he found a way to start and lead the Broncos to the playoffs. 

After missing the playoffs with a mediocre 8-8 record, the Jets are looking for a leader to emerge from training camp to take the team to new heights.

For a team that last season had captains fighting and arguing inside of the huddle, a high character, high energy player like Tebow could not be better.

Esiason's criticism will only continue to fuel for the fire of Tebow's motivation.