Brady Quinn dismisses Tebowmania in GQ interview

By: Bailey Johnson
Topics: Football

Brady Quinn (#9) and Tim Tebow (#15)

(Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(CBS) - Not everyone is a fan of Tim Tebow. He's a polarizing figure, with football fans and even some players questioning whether the unconventional quarterback really has what it takes to make it in the NFL. One place you wouldn't expect to find criticism is the Denver Broncos bench. But in an article about Tim Tebow's year in GQ Magazine, Broncos teammate and fellow quarterback Brady Quinn dismissed Tebow's performance. Quinn basically sums up his interpretation of Tebow and the Broncos' season with, "We've had a lot of, I guess, luck."

The GQ article quotes players like Kurt Warner and Baltimore Ravens LB Terrell Suggs (who calls Tebow "terrible") but it's the quotes from teammate Quinn that stand out. Tebow's late-game theatrics have already become legend, but Quinn provides a much simpler explanation:

The entire game, the defensive line is chasing the quarterback around, and that wears down the pass rush. Meanwhile, the defensive backs are chasing receivers, but you only throw eight passes, so they start to feel lazy. It only takes that one play, that one big pass, for a touchdown.

Broncos linebacker Von Miller, who had a breakout year on the defensive side of the ball, shares a sentiment Tebow himself repeatedly told reporters in giving credit to the team as a whole. "I mean, you could just see our team's resiliency in action. Nobody was giving up."

But Quinn's analysis of Denver's season is even simpler. "We've had a lot of, I guess, luck, to put it simply."

Quinn has reasons for being less-than-enthusiastic about Tebow's performance. The former Notre Dame star was the second-string QB in Denver when Kyle Orten was sidelined with an injury. In Quinn's words:

Early in the season, there was a game when Kyle [Orton] got hurt and the coaches were calling for me to go in, but Kyle got up and finished the game out. So I was the second-string guy. Then, a few weeks later, they decided to put Tim in. I felt like the fans had a lot to do with that. Just 'cause they were chanting his name. There was a big calling for him. No, I didn't have any billboards. That would have been nice.

Quinn also offers criticism of another aspect of Tebow's on-field performance: his very public praying.

"If you look at it as a whole," Quinn tells GQ, "there's a lot of things that just don't seem very humble to me. When I get that opportunity, I'll continue to lead not necessarily by trying to get in front of the camera and praying but by praying with my teammates, you know?"

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by royalstar05 February 22, 2012 8:55 AM EST: They should take a look a Adam Weber. He was a good passer at Mn and is a smart kid. Christ, Weber could make 8 completions for 80 yrds like Tebow did, and anyone one can handoff the ball. There was a time earlier in the year when 2 or 3 Denver coaches were saying Weber was playing better than ALL of them. Give him a shot.; Reply to this comment


by mginga February 21, 2012 10:46 PM EST: Wonder if Quinn had the integrity to say that BS directely to Tim's face before he gave the interview..doubt it...trade him..or cut him...; Reply to this comment


by azure13 February 21, 2012 10:37 PM EST: I really like Tebow. I want to see him succeed. Especially when everyone is so convinced he will fail.
However, this whole praying and giving thanks for touchdowns or whatever it is he is praying for/about, needs to go. It's ridiculous. It's almost like using Gods name in vain. It's fricken football...; Reply to this comment


by azure13 February 21, 2012 10:35 PM EST: I really like Tebow. I want to see him succeed. Especially when everyone is so convinced he will fail.
However, this whole praying and giving thanks for touchdowns or whatever it is, needs to go. It's ridiculous. It's almost like using Gods name in vain. It's fricken football...; Reply to this comment


by azure13 February 21, 2012 10:35 PM EST: I really like Tebow. I want to see him succeed. Especially when everyone is so convinced he will fail.
However, this whole praying and giving thanks for touchdowns or whatever it is, needs to go. It's ridiculous. It's almost like using Gods name in vain. It's fricken football...; Reply to this comment


by rwsmith29456 February 21, 2012 10:23 PM EST: I would hope that players would attribute their success to good teamwork and not 'luck' for one person.; Reply to this comment


by enaid3 February 21, 2012 9:43 PM EST: Talk about a little jealousy! Grow up Quinn!!!; Reply to this comment


by WakeupUSA February 21, 2012 2:59 PM EST: Brady did not do so well here in Cleveland when he was a starter; Reply to this comment


by WakeupUSA February 21, 2012 2:58 PM EST: Brady did not do so well here in Cleveland when he was a starter; Reply to this comment


by jamesstafford1979 February 21, 2012 1:10 PM EST: I don't understand a teammate doing that to another. I have never been a big Quinn fan. Always thought he was arrogant. I just don't understand how someone can hate Tebow. Yeah, of course everyone gets sick of every week him being the lead story on SportsCenter, but it's a good story. I believe in God, but I'm not over-zealous with it like alot of traditional christians. I believe in my own, unique way and believe in worshiping in your own way, and that your relationship with God is between you and God, and that good people are rewarded for good deeds. I am also a Democrat, which is different than alot of christians, but I don't understand the hate either way.; Reply to this comment