The Quarterback

I'm almost embarrassed to say, this article is inspired by Tim Tebow.  Well, not exactly HIM, more the buzz that he's created over the last five weeks.  Yesterday, after he somehow pulled yet another win off, there was a lot of talk about a quarterback not making a team, that it was the Denver Broncos that won the game, not Tebow.  I agree, to a point.

I think this year, more than any other that I can remember, really proves just how important a quarterback is to a team.  Yes, Peyton Manning is one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game, and I'm not comparing Tim Tebow to him, except for the fact that they play the same position.  Yes, they play it much differently, don't discount this article because of the comparison!  Let me throw some stats out there for you real quick.  The Colts have been to the playoffs for NINE consecutive seasons!  That is the longest active streak in football.  From 2002-2010, for a total of, yes nine consecutive seasons, they have had 10 or more wins, and SEVEN of those seasons, 2003-2009, they had 12 or more wins.  Pretty impressive!!  Lose the quarterback.  This season they have ZERO wins through 11 games!!  That is tough to even comprehend!

Back to the Broncos.  They start the season off 1-4.  People are giving up on them, fans have written them off.  Another losing season.  Enter Tim Tebow.  Reverse that record....5-1 with Tebow as the starter.  Now, the Broncos are sitting with a winning record at 6-5, ready to make a possible playoff run?!  How is that even possible?!  I'm not a Tebow lover, nor am I a Tebow hater, but the guy is winning football games.  Twitter exploded yesterday after the Broncos victory...it's not Tebow, it's the Broncos.  Yes, I agree.  To a point.  One change and suddenly a bottom of the barrel team becomes a playoff contender?! 

Don't misunderstand, I definitely don't think a quarterback is the team, but I do believe he is the glue that holds the team together.  People talk about "touches" for a running back, "looks" for a receiver.  Every play of every drive, the quarterback has his hands on that football.  That leaves a lot of room for error...or for greatness.  Or anywhere in between.  Tebow isn't a conventional quarterback, I think we all know that, in fact in week 10, against the Kansas City Chiefs, he went 2-8 for only 69 yards and a touchdown.  But, guess what...he got the win.  So far this season, he's only completed 45.5% of his passes for 852 yards, and he's run for more than half of that...455 yards.  Whether he's doing it by air or by ground, he's getting the most important part of the job done...he's winning.

I will end this by talking briefly about my favorite quarterback in the league...Aaron Rodgers.  Consider this...Aaron Rodgers gets hurt.  Are the Packers 11-0?  No way.  All because of one person?!  Imagine Tyler Palko taking over the reins for Rodgers.  Nothing else on the team changes but the quarterback.  Are the Packers still picked as favorites week in and week out?  I don't think so.  In fact, I know they wouldn't be. 

I'd like to know what you think.  Do you agree?  Disagree?  I personally don't think there is much argument about the most important position out on the football field game in and game out.  The one spot where you want consistency and talent.  To say a quarterback is the team is going a little far, but they definitely do their fair share.