I can’t keep track of Tim Tebow’s status on the Denver Broncos, whether he’s second or third string or if it even matters. If he never starts again, it doesn’t make a difference to me, because the lasting impression I’ll always have of him is from a few years ago.
After a disappointing loss to Old Miss in 2008, Tebow stood up and apologized, much like Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys does after every time he, for lack of a decent metaphor, pulls a Romo. But after that short apology, Tebow did something else. He said, “A lot of good will come out of this. You will never see any player in the entire country play as hard as I will play the rest of the season. You will never see someone push the rest of the team as hard as I will push everybody the rest of the season. You will never see a team play harder than we will the rest of the season.”
In case you have forgotten, Tebow then led the Florida Gators to an improbable National Championship.
Tony Romo keeps setting up Cowboys fans for that moment. He makes mistakes at costly times, the team loses, and then he shoulders all of the blame. Fans take that as being accountable and taking responsibility for the team, and forgive him with the hope that he will turn it around. He hasn’t, if the opening day game against the New York Jets was any indication.
Cowboys fans don’t want to hear Romo say, “This was my fault.” He needs to step up and say what he will do about it, and then deliver. He has been a starter too long to continue to make the same mistakes, especially in games where taking chances is unnecessary. If he throws the ball away instead of trying to run for the end zone, or slides to avoid the hit, the Cowboys kick a field goal and win. If he throws the ball away instead of challenging the best cornerback in the league, the worst case scenario is overtime. These examples from this weekend have plagued him throughout his career. He has more than enough talent to take this team to a Super Bowl if he can find a way to end this pattern. For three quarters on Sunday night, he looked like the best quarterback in the league against arguably the best defense in the league.
It’s great that he takes the blame. It shows maturity and, to a certain extent, leadership. Now he needs to take responsibility and learn from these mistakes. Enough with saying what you’ve done wrong, stand up and tell us what you’re going to do to make it better. And then do it. Give Tebow a call if you need help with the speech.