As an operations associate at gap intelligence, I don’t work much in the analysis side of the company. I spend more time collecting, aggregating, and cleaning data than determining its relevance. I leave the analyzing to my many talented coworkers who consume themselves in the data that I help collect. However don’t let this minor detail deter you from the fact that I spend a lot of my time analyzing other things. For example, around the office I’m known as “K-rock” due to my ongoing fascination and study of geology. I would say I spend a good portion of my time analyzing the physical and lithological aspects of the earth around me. I’m not here to talk about work or school though. Instead I’m here to analyze one of my favorite things in the world – the Denver Broncos!
Like my three other Coloradoan coworkers, I bleed orange and blue and am incredibly proud. Ten-time Pro Bowl selectee Champ Bailey is one of my idols, along with the legendary John Elway, Terrell Davis, and Ed McCafferry. Of course lately the rule is if you like the Broncos you must be a die-hard Tim Tebow fan. As an analyst of the Denver Broncos, I must detach myself from the hype and instead speak from the statistics of the controversial quarterback.
During the 2011/2012 regular season Tebow had a 46.5 percent passing completion, 1,729 yards passing with 12 passing touchdowns, 660 yards rushing with 6 rushing touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and 6 fumbles. From a strictly quarterback stand point, these stats point out that Tebow has both a low total number of passing yards as well as a low completion percentage with a below average number of passing touchdowns. From the rushing side, Tebow had the most rushing yards of any quarterback this season, the most rushing touchdowns of any quarterback this season, and had one of the highest numbers of rushing fumbles from any player during the season.
Some (Broncos fans mostly) could argue that these stats are still impressive, considering they are from a quarterback, while others argue that neither aspect of Tebow’s style of playing is worthy of too much credit. I tend to lean towards the latter, stating that the stats don’t individually point out any great achievement by the 2nd year quarterback. However, this Broncos analyst can’t overlook the unbelievable impact Tebow had on the team this year. The Broncos led the league in rushing yards during the regular season, according to NFL.com, with 2,632 total yards and 164.5 yards per game. Willis McGahee and Tim Tebow led the team in rushing with Tebow scoring 6 touchdowns out of 660 total yards compared to McGahee’s 4 touchdowns out of 1,199 total yards. Despite having fewer touchdowns this season, this is in no way a poor reflection of McGahee’s performance. Tebow’s rushing touchdown success was almost entirely the result of Denver Broncos Coach John Fox’s play calls during near goal situations with Tebow often being placed in scoring positions as frequently, if not more so, than McGahee. Cumulatively, the stats for Tim Tebow are at the very least unusual, and it could hardly be ignored that the team performed better with him at the helm than they’ve done in at least 6 seasons, which was the last time they made the playoffs.
My stance on Tebow as a Broncos fan fluctuated as frequently as the quarterback’s performance did this season, but inevitably succumbed to a small sense of adoration as I saw my team win the division (though narrowly) and even reach the second round in the playoffs. I won’t even deny that for a brief two day period after Denver beat Pittsburgh I had irrationally high hopes of defeating New England in a rematch that would eventually go down as a horrendous loss. Slight Tebow adoration aside, this analyst can’t help but feel elated at the not-so-unlikely possibility that Peyton Manning is looking for a new team to call home, and has recently announced that Miami is not it. After what can only be described as the most dramatic season for the Broncos in recent memory, a sense of quiet has settled over the fan base as they awkwardly renounce their Tebow obsession in light of the possibility of a new, shiny quarterback that could take an underdog team and turn it into a team reminiscent of the back to back Superbowl champions of the late 90’s. From an analyst stand point, I would argue that the team, no matter who the quarterback is in the upcoming season, will need some time to create and solidify a team that could go far in the playoffs. From a slightly biased fan view, all I can end this analysis with is DENVER BRONCOS: SUPERBOWL CHAMPS 2012/2013!!
