Tim Tebow (15) lies on the ground after being sacked as Buffalo Bills defensive end Dwan Edwards (98) and linebacker Chris Kelsay (90) celebrate in the fourth quarter of their NFL football game in Orchard Park, New York December 24, 2011. (REUTERS/Doug Benz )

Now if you’ve read me for awhile you know that I am good for a historical fact every now and then or even better a quote from a historical figure. I’ll lead with it, write a paragraph tie it into something current with the Denver Broncos, cap it off with a finishing paragraph and viola!

This isn’t that type of post though, but boy do I have a doozy of a quote for some of you Tebowners towards the end. This isn’t about Denver being a small city with an envy towards the larger cities, nor is it about a team that was counted out early on, but came on incredibly strong just before being exiled into football obscurity–okay maybe it’s about that last one a little bit.

Let’s talk about theme, let’s talk about weapons–artillery, battles, victories, defeat, smog of war and napalm. Let’s talk about strategy, chess, casualties, blood and guts. Let’s talk about death metal and end game strategy. Let’s talk about a mission impossible and the little engine that could. Let’s talk about God and evil, good and bad, judgement and luck.

My love for Josh McDaniels goes just about as whispered as I can make it around these parts, but the man was either ahead of his time or just flat out unlucky. He’s not Napoleon in this story though, possibly more of a Cesar, not for winning tons of Super Bowls, but for being stabbed in the back due to his ambition. So he’s more of Shakespeare’s Cesar than the historical Cesar (insert link to Spark Notes here).

See as terrible McDaniels may have been as a General Manager or a talent evaluator he’s still the reason why most of you reading this likely don’t think highly of Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler. Yes, he flip-flopped Peyton Hillis for Brady Quinn, but how did Hillis turn out for the Cleveland Browns this season?

Let’s just hope that Tim Tebow doesn’t get the cover of Madden next season. Speaking of Tebow, McDaniels traded back into the first round to draft him, skipped over Dez Bryant to pick-up Demaryius Thomas drafted Eric Decker, Zane Beadles, J.D. Walton, re-signed Chris Kuper to a big contract and about a hundred other things that I could use to justify me liking him (or you could use to justify that I am an idiot).

For all that McDaniels lost, he won as well. It’s important that you see my point, because there is a parallelism going on right now. McDaniels came in went 6-0, before going 8-8. Tebow comes in and goes 7-1, before going 7-3 (better or worse pending final results on Sunday’s game). McDaniels promised things that you had never seen in professional football before. In Tebow we are witnessing things that haven’t been seen in decades in the NFL.

Allow me to bring up two more McDaniels recruits to Denver; Kyle Orton and Brandon Lloyd. Both wanted out of Denver, both were given their walking papers. Much like McDaniels did when Mike Nolan gave McDaniels an option to retain him as the defensive coordinator in Denver and like Cutler, like Marshall, like Scheffler.

Now I personally think that letting Lloyd walk was a mistake, never mind that he seemed to be the only receiver on the Broncos that could consistently catch Tebow’s knuckle balls. At least with Lloyd Denver got a fifth out of the deal, with Orton they got absolutely nothing. However, the Broncos didn’t release Orton and give the Kansas City Chiefs the key to beating them, they gave the Chiefs a ticking time bomb that will detonate at some point late in the game this Sunday in Denver.

That’s all it is really about, I don’t believe that God favoring an outcome in a football game is in the least bit logical. Leadership is leadership though and no matter who or what one believes in the outcome of any given venture tends to rely strictly on the things that humans are well in control of. Then again, what do I know, my favorite Psalm is the one that Shakespeare wrote.

“God fights on the side with the best artillery” – Napoleon Bonaparte.

Tim Tebow scrambles with the ball as Jared Allen gives chase in the fourth quarter on December 4, 2011 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Broncos defeated the Vikings 35-32. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Just about every religious connotation/double entendre that can be thought of or said has been in regards the Denver Broncos, but especially Tim Tebow. Whether he is the second coming or a false prophet is for me far greater than me to decide. I think by this point he has at least done enough to prove his detractors wrong or right.

True chameleons Tebow and the Broncos can be anything that you want them to be, whether it is winners or losers. There has been little in-between this season, at times Denver seemed to be front and center in the, ‘Suck for Luck’ campaign and only a few weeks later seemed destined for at least a very interesting playoff run. Two loses later the Broncos find themselves in a very familiar position, in the final game of the season with an opportunity to make the playoffs. With the exception of 2011, Denver has had a playoff opportunity in the final game of every season since 2005.

Focusing on this season however, the Broncos have had luck on their side since they’ve had the opportunity at Luck. Carson Palmer in his second game starting for the Oakland Raiders with Darren McFadden injured, the Kansas City Chiefs without Jamaal Charles and an in-game injury to Matt Cassel, defeating two solid teams in the New York Jets and San Diego Chargers before facing an Adrian Peterson-less Minnesota Vikings and a Jay Cutler and Matt Forte deprived Chicago Bears team. All before getting their clocks cleaned by the New England Patriots and a less than fully armed Buffalo Bills team.

So where does Denver stand? Denver is the third best team in the AFC East and NFC North, but that is good enough for first best in the AFC West. That is where I expect them to be after this Sunday as the Broncos face the Chiefs for the second time this season; several caveats come to mind, there are the obvious and not so obvious–Denver has split with every team in the AFC West (and beat Kansas City last time they met), Tebow has beat every team that he has started against in the AFC West.

Then there is this one: last time Tebow lost two in a row as a starter he went 7-0.

Anyone monitoring Ben Roethlisberger’s health as closely as I am?

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 4: Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos high-fives fans as he leaves the field after a win against the Minnesota Vikings on December 4, 2011 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Broncos defeated the Vikings 35-32. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

The show began with a little news on Albert Pujols and Jerry Sandusky (what a way to start a show on Tebow, amIright!?), but quickly progressed into the Tebow Comebacks package highlighting every comeback Tebow has made since being a Denver Bronco, featuring sound bites from Tim Tebow, Champ Bailey, John Elway, John Fox, and Eric Decker.

Next, Josina Anderson took a live shot to describe Tebow-mania as “Clamoring for the front office to anoint him [as the Broncos starter].”

Mark Schlereth and Jerry Rice (and the six Super Bowls between them) were brought in next for Tebow’s Impact to discuss how long will it take for defenses to figure out Tebow. Basically it can be summed up by saying that Tebow will likely continue to evolve, but Rice specifically singled out the defense as deserving credit.

The duo then went into a Cam Newton vs. Tim Tebow debate, on who they would choose as their quarterback; for this, here are some numbers:

Schlereth says that he would take Newton, because the league is centered around throwing the football. Rice agreed, because Newton is a, “Tall receiver,” who can stand up in the pocket. Yes I know Rice called Newton a receiver, that is what he said. They both concluded by stating the brutally honest and original assessment that Tebow would need to continue to improve.

As an added bonus Rice stated that the Broncos, “Could not win a Super Bowl playing the way they are playing.” To which Tebow likely replied, ”Preciate it.’

Schlereth remained on the fence, due to his skill set of throwing the football.

Brandon Krisztal from 104.3 The Fan in Denver was brought on to discuss more on Tebow’s Impact and the conversation turned to the NBC/CBS corporate battle over whether or not NBC could take the New England Patriots at Denver Broncos game from CBS. Krisztal was brought on to discuss what talk radio has been like in Denver since Tebow’s been winning. Krisztal pointed out that both Schlereth and Alfred Williams won Super Bowls under Elway, but neither of them are willing to believe in Tebow as the Denver starter long term. That the fans do in fact believe that Tebow is the long term solution however.

Krisztal stayed on for the Expectations for Sunday vs Bears segment in which the host asked whether Tebow has ever played a game in the snow (I was thinking about this last week as well), pointing out the forecast as being sunny with a high of 47 degrees. Krisztal predicted that the home field advantage would finally be back, but that the Chicago Bears would be an even better defense than the Detroit Lions who gave Tebow fits in his first game as a starter.

Tebow Tweets:

Here are three #SCTEBOW tweets that ESPN featured:

Debating Tebow - Join @SportsCener from 2-3 using the hashtag - #SCTEBOW

December 7, 2011 1:01 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@SportsCenter

SportsCenter

@SportsCenter #SCTEBOW any @TimTebow doubters need to get off his back and just let him keep winning. They're going to the playoffs.

December 7, 2011 1:02 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@jrorlowski23

OJ Orlowski

@SportsCenter You know when a guy has his own top 10 then there is something going right and has people talkin #SCTEBOW

December 7, 2011 1:03 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@DCJ_rod

Jacob Rodriguez

He's a great athlete. Not a great quarterback #SCTEBOW

December 7, 2011 1:03 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@StanleyShineBox

Stanley

*It should be pointed out that Stanley has a Cincinnati Bengals background, I wonder what he thinks of Kyle Orton‘s quarterbackism.

Tebow’s Fantasy [Football] Life was the next segment, but I am going to venture to say that anyone who is reading this already has Tebow on their team.

Jon Gruden on Tebow is just a recycled piece from the Jacksonville Jaguars Monday Night Football game last Monday that called out the Jaguars on not drafting Tebow.

Bayless vs. Schlereth is next at this point #SCTEBOW is trending on Twitter.

“It wasn’t natural to me (to stay in the pocket), and I like to just run around and make plays. But it’s not championship football. It can be winning football, but it’s not championship football.” – Steve Young

Schlereth agrees with Young, gets redundant on his earlier conversation that he had with Rice. Schlereth says that he did feel last week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings was Tebow’s best game yet.

Skip Bayless says that he laughed when he read the Young quote, pointing out that naysayers first stated that Tebow could not win games, then moved on to Tebow would not win the division and now they’ve finally graduated to Tebow can’t win the Super Bowl. Bayless’ chant points out that Tebow’s started ten games for a not good football team and has done nothing but incredible things: sweeping the AFC West on the road, going 6-1, having Eric Decker as his primary receiver, and now all critics can talk about is that he can’t win the Super Bowl.

Schlereth goes back to Tebow’s skill set, Bayless points out the Minnesota game and how Tebow threw the football. He goes on to point out how the San Francisco 49ers called plays for Young, back when Young first started.

The duo then brought up the Broncos defense and John Fox’s Coach of the Year campaign. Both Schlereth and Bayless point out that Tebow’s impact has had a lot to do with the defensive resurgence.

Steve Young joins the conversation for Steve Young Live on whether the Broncos are using Tebow correctly, Young says that he wants Tebow to have a long career as a quarterback. Young’s position is that he wants Denver to develop Tebow as much as possible by allowing Tebow to throw and actually play quarterback in the NFL. On comparing Tebow to Cam Newton, Young says that he would want Newton long term. Says that Newton does not belong in a conversation with anyone else.

ESPN features Tebow’s Top 10 of All Time, I’ll see if I can find this on Youtube for everyone.

My Conclusion

I suppose the fact that nearly every analyst, commentator, former player, and former coach saying that Tim Tebow cannot win a game, division, Super Bowl only leads to one logical conclusion. Tebow will win the Super Bowl this season, as Mike Florio pointed out two weeks ago, “Can you imagine Tim Tebow in a single elimination tournament?” Yeah… I think we can…

Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos runs the ball against the San Diego Chargers during the Broncos 16-13 overtime win in their NFL Game on November 27, 2011 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

In thirty minutes or less the NFL Network and its crack squad of former players and coaches presented their dissertation on how to stop Tim Tebow.

Beginning with the game versus the Miami Dolphins a montage of clips show Tebow marching from being down 15 nil to winning the game, onto the Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets and San Diego Chargers–all in rapid fire. “The Tebow train continues to pull off W’s!”

The show hosted by Joe Theismann along with Solomon Wilcots, Matt Millen, and Brian Baldinger is broken down into three sections:

• QB Roundtable: Does anyone compare to Tim Tebow
• Interview with Mike McCoy: Broncos offensive coordinator on changes to the Broncos playbook.
• Front Office View: Michael Lombardi: Is Tebow the Broncos QB of the future?

Yes, that should just about do it…

Credit is given by the hosts to the coaching decision to change the playbook and a viewer writes in regarding the “Tebow Option,” which he claims cannot be explained by anyone. Baldinger points out that, “Well, in college it is called the read option,” before sending high praise to the Denver Broncos and reassuring that he is a fan of the team.

The show leads to: Keys to success for the Broncos read option. Immediately it is pointed out that Denver leads the league in rushing through week twelve with 1,757 yards. Onto why the read option is working for the Broncos; Baldinger begins by stating what most fans will know already, the read option is geared towards running and takes away a defensive player because the quarterback is not a passing threat, he is a running threat. Using the second game against the Chargers as the demonstration they illustrate that there simply isn’t a whole lot that a defense can do to stop it. If the middles and outside linebackers commit to the run, the quarterback goes outside the outside option, if the outside contain stays home a hole in the middle of where the offensive line was just a second ago is forming very elaborately.

Random fact: It is difficult to tackle Tebow, he doesn’t look to go out of bounds, he looks to truck a motherfucker punish someone before he goes down.

Greg Cosel is brought on as Playbook attempts to compare Tebow to other mobile quarterbacks. Theisman begins, “He’s the only one that we’ve ever seen do the things the Tim Tebow is doing. Has there been anyone in your mind, Greg?”

“Well, I would answer that with a no,” Cosel goes on to point out that no quarterback in NFL history has run the read option as a base offense.

Enter Tebow comparisons to historical quarterbacks, Theisman compares Tebow to Chicago Bears lefty Bobby Douglass (which seems a pretty fair comparison), before the name Joe Kapp is brought into the comparison pile by Millen [Editors note: Kapp has recently been popularized for other reasons). Kapp’s passes weren’t the best, he would run defenders over and force his team to win sometimes on sheer will. Cosel compares Tebow to Donovan McNabb (at Syracuse).

“The Broncos have had 80 possessions under Tim Tebow, 56% of them have been punts. You cannot sustain long term offensive efficiency while punting 56% of the time.” – Greg Cosel.

Random fact: Both the offensive line and Willis McGahee benefit from Tebow’s presence (see how teamwork works?), as Tebow’s running ability forces defenses to stay home while the offensive line puts them exactly where they want the defense to be.

The third segment is the Mike McCoy interview.

McCoy basically has ‘much a-say about nothing,’ offering little insight into what the Broncos are actually doing. McCoy did single out Demaryius Thomas as one he and the coaches will run things by (option-wise) for thoughts asking things like, “How would you read this, what do you think about this,” offering even to change up the blocking scheme based on players like Thomas and Tebow’s thoughts.

In comes Michael Lombardi for The Days of Tebow Future (as I am calling it) who quickly points out that Josh McDaniels, not John Elway drafted Tebow, but basically ends up with the fact that if Tebow keeps winning what really can the Broncos do other than stick with him? Lombardi suggests building the team through the draft exactly the way the way the staff feels is necessary (around Tebow) before pointing out that hey if the quarterback Denver wants is available in the first round, draft him.

Random Fact: Tebow leads the NFL is rushing average with 5.8-yards per carry.

Finally, how to stop Tebow: Stay disciplined, take care of your read and force everything inside. It’s all about eyes and all about discipline. “Beat the living snot out of that guy every chance that you can. Every time he declares himself a runner,” suggests Millen.

“There’s a lot of young running quarterbacks, but there aren’t any old ones.” – Jim Plunkett

And that’s it from NFL Network’s studios in Los Angeles, not a terrible amount of insight, but the historical comparrisons to quarterbacks were interesting and I believe very much spot-on. The Plunkett quote is something very true and Tebow’s long term success does reside in the fact that he’ll have to start passing more often, but everyone knows that. For now fans can enjoy the ride and the reminder most Sundays that yes in fact you do have a heart and it will stop and then pound and then stop and then pound.

Denver Broncos Eric Decker (L), Spencer Larsen (R) and Matthew Willis (front) celebrate Decker's touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during their NFL football game in Denver, Colorado September 18, 2011. (REUTERS/Mark Leffingwell)

Matthew Willis, also known simply as Matt Willis (but who is noticing?) could get the second start of his career this Sunday as the Denver Broncos face the Minnesota Vikings. Willis will likely get the nod over the ailing Eddie Royal who was seen early in the week in a boot and is thought of as of Thursday at least as a game time decision at best.

We’re not here to talk about Royal’s toe though, this is about Willis or better yet a player deserving his chance. Rod Smith, Brandon Lloyd and now… Matt Willis. All receivers who sat idle on the Broncos’ sideline and/or practice squad for a significant amount of time before they were given the opportunity to play and start.

In the 2010 preseason (also Tim Tebow’s rookie season) Tebow and Willis created quite the rapport with Willis becoming Tebow’s favorite target and producing big numbers: 13 receptions for 263 yards and an average of 20.2 yards. In 2011 Willis did much less eight receptions for 110 yards and a 13.8 average. However, during thus far during the season he has 11 receptions, 154 yards, a 14 yard-per-catch average and one touchdown. [Editors note: Willis was shoved out of bounds in the end zone during the final drive in a non-call during the Broncos first game against the San Diego Chargers. Had that been called or had it not happened at all Willis likely would have caught a touchdown and likely won the game for Denver.]

Willis basically has one catch in each of the games that he has played in this season (he did not have a catch versus the Chargers, but had two against the Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans (both Kyle Orton starts), he did not play in the second game against the Oakland Raiders). However, he has seen limited opportunities with even less opportunities now that Tebow has taken over and the Broncos are rushing on average three of every four plays.

This Sunday’s opponent is different though, the Vikings are rated 29th in the league in pass defense, Tebow will likely be passing early/often and Royal is likely to be out. The only other player more primed for a break-out game is Demaryius Thomas, but with many passes expected there will be plenty of opportunities for both.

Yet, the most damning and telling statistics comes down to a one. Willis has one touchdown in his career and one drop and one of those will change this Sunday.

Some Matt Willis tidbits after the jump:

• • A fourth-year wide receiver who has appeared in 12 games (1 start) during his NFL career with Denver (2008-10) and Baltimore (2007-08).
  • Led the AFC and finished second in the NFL with 263 receiving yards on 13 receptions (20.2 avg., TD) during the 2010 preseason and went on to play in a career-high six regular-season games before being placed on injured reserve (foot) and missing the rest of the year.
  • Finished the 2008 season on the Broncos’ practice squad and spent the first 16 weeks of the ‘09 campaign with that group before making the first start of his NFL career in Denver’s season finale vs. Kansas City (1/3/10).
  • Began his rookie season on the Ravens’ practice squad in 2007 before seeing time in five of the club’s final seven games that year.
  • Played two seasons of football at UCLA after competing on its track team and finished his Bruins career with 24 receptions for 248 yards (10.3 avg.) with three touchdowns in 21 games (3 starts).
  • Joined the Broncos as a practice squad signee on Dec. 23, 2008.
  • Entered the NFL with Baltimore as a college free agent on May 4, 2007.

[courtesy of the Denver Broncos].

Running back Willis McGahee participated in practice after missing yesterday. (Photo courtesy: MaxDenver)

The Denver Broncos moved their practice indoors today as the city of Denver is being lightly dusted by between four and six inches of snow currently.

Running back Willis McGahee returned to practice after nursing a hangover missing practice yesterday due to sickness, so I think it’s pretty safe to assume that he will be available to face the Minnesota Vikings and their ninth ranked run defense this Sunday.

Wide receiver Eddie Royal also returned to practice after donning a boot earlier in the week, the receiver participated in practice, but his ailing toe will likely keep him at least questionable until game time this weekend.

Linebacker Von Miller (whom we endorsed over at Mile High Report yesterday for the Pro Bowl) was not at practice. Although his teammates expect him to play, many in the Denver media are speculating based on what each other are saying unsure that he will be able to  go. Our best guess remains that the rookie will give it a go and fans will get to see him go for his 11th & 12th sacks this Sunday.

It should be noted that Royal and Willis were officially noted by the Broncos as being limited participants in practice.

On the Viking’s side of things corner back Asher Allen and rookie tight end Kyle Rudolph were limited, while running back Adrian Peterson, linebacker E.J. Henderson and defensive end Jared Allen were all non-participants.

Denver Broncos line backer Wesley Woodyard (52) congratulates wide receiver Eddie Royal (19) after Royal returned a punt for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, California, November 6, 2011. (REUTERS/Beck Diefenbach)

In an effort to credit the Denver Broncos rise to 5-1 over the last six weeks to someone other than Tim Tebow many fingers have been pointed toward rookie linebacker Von Miller and Denver’s defense; the fact that Britton Colquitt is punting like an All Pro and/or the fact that the entire Broncos’ special teams has improved dramatically.

The most impressive stat has been the ability for Denver players to stay healthy. Yet, as the Broncos began their week thirteen practices the team is missing a key player from each of their much improved groups.

It was reported earlier this morning that Miller had surgery on his thumb to fix some torn ligaments he had incurred late in the fourth quarter in San Diego last Sunday. Miller refused to leave the game and his tackle for a loss in over time was essential in getting the offense the ball back for the game winning field goal.

As it stands right now Miller’s status for early Sunday is unknown, but cases can be made either way. As Mario Haggan pointed out, there are a lot of linebackers who play with a wrapped hand and do just fine. For the record that means that Haggan expects Miller to play. As do I, you cannot stop 10.5 sacks in 11 games with something as simple as a thumb injury.

Now wide receiver Eddie Royal was in a boot for the better part of this early week and today was sans boot. He seems less likely to participate in the game versus the Minnesota Vikings. I’d expect that Matt Willis (whom I will get much more into details about later) will fill in for Royal, which could create a major up tick in Tebow’s completions.

No, we did not forget about running back Willis McGahee, he was out today with what head coach John Fox called sickness (we call it a hangover, he will likely be fine by the afternoon and he has had a carb filled lunch). McGahee will play against the Vikings and their ninth ranked run defense.

John Fox speaks at a news conference where he is introduced as the newest head coach of the Denver Broncos. (AP Photo/ Ed Andrieski)

On The Art of War, The Denver Post and the Denver Broncos’ quarterback search:

Shout out to the Denver Post’s Mike Klis for sparking my brain (Klis, stop poking me on Facebook)!

The Denver Broncos interest in the quarterbacks basically comes down to what Sun Tzu described as maneuver warfare.

I could go the more hilarious (and possibly entertaining route) of quoting stand-up comedian Dane Cook.

Okay, well, I’ll go that route then…

Brain ninjas (not safe for work or those under 18).

John Fox is a defensive minded coach, regarded as passive, a player’s coach.

Yet he knows how to get inside the mind of a quarterback… And that is by interviewing him at the combine.

The Broncos will be facing these guys (quarterbacks that they’re interviewing) for the next two, three, ten years… Why not have as much ammunition as possible when facing these little guys?

The team has full rein to ask them now about the amount of pot they smoked, the amount of homosexual activity they had leading into their frat initiation, the players they were most scared of in college, and the teacher that gave them the worst grade, et cetera.

That’s not going to go away in their time in the NFL. That’s a ticking time bomb or as Dane Cook would call it, “Brain ninja.”

There will never be another time that they will have full access like they have now to the competition.

All of this makes me feel as if the Broncos’ fans are in good hands. Possibly even genius hands (and this time the genius is defensive minded).