Tim Tebow. The name conjures up instant opinions...Winner. Greatest collegiate football player ever. Overrated. He's the most controversial college prospect in recent memory and in just his 2nd season has NFL and fantasy football fans taking sides. As he prepares for his 1st start this season in place of Kyle Orton, we'll take a look at Tebow's Dynasty prospects and look at his ability to become a fantasy Beast or flame out as an NFL bust.



Beast
There is no question Tim Tebow has Beastly upside. He was a high risk / high reward prospect coming out of Florida. The question marks surrounding him were plentiful. He hasn't answered all of them yet and it remains to be seen whether he can truly be a franchise QB in the NFL. That won't take long. Not only does he have enough arm to go with his runnning ability, but he also has contageous energy and natural born leadership.

Much like when Mike Vick came into the league, Tebow will be carried by his legs in fantasy leagues. He does not have near the athletic ability that Vick possesses, nor the arm strength, but he might be a more dangerous short yardage threat. He scored 6 rushing TD's last season in limited action, including one in each of his three starts. He'll be the Broncos goal line back and is always a threat for 50+ rushing yards in a game. He just needs to make enough plays with his arm to keep the defenses honest. It may not look pretty, but he has the ability to do that.

Remove the name from the discussion for a moment and just look at the numbers from 2010. There is the mediocre 50% completion percentage and the 3 interceptions. On the other hand, there is also 5 passing TD's, a 300 yard passing game, 227 yards rushing and 6 rushing TD's. He only played in 9 games and saw significant time in just three. For a QB coming out of college labeled as a multiple year project, those are numbers to get any Dynasty owner excited.

The sky isn't all blue. Yes, his accuracy and footwork in the pocket need major work. His throwing motion is awkward and his release is long. He's going to make his share of mistakes as any young QB would. He has just as many detractors as he does believers, which is just the motivator that Tebow needs to prove the doubters wrong. Improving his accuracy is not out of the question and it does not need to be leaps and bounds to make him a Top 10 fantasy QB. There are no extra points for style in fantasy football, so as long as he puts up stats, he'll be a high upside play.

Tim Tebow has never not been a Beast. As a prospect in high school, in college and in his 3 starts at the end of last season. Now he has his opportunity to show the Broncos and the entire NFL that he can be a starting QB in the NFL. Don't wait that long in your fantasy league, because he'll put up points from the get go. And remember, where there's a Tebow, there's a way.

Bust
Tim Tebow was a great college football player, no one questions that. You also cannot question his heart or desire, as that is evident every time he steps on the football field. What is debatable is the opinion that Tim Tebow will be a fantasy football savior, bringing a bounty of points to your Dynasty team for years to come. He has looked passable in spot duty over the past season and a half, but his skillset does not translate into long term effectiveness.

As we all know, ultimate success at the collegiate level does not translate into NFL success. From the time his college career ended, his prospect status was being debated. It was difficult to find many in Tebow's corner, as analyst after analyst doubted his ability to develop into a franchise QB. Josh McDaniels took a chance on Tebow in the first round last April, but he was soon fired. That left Tebow's status in question with new coach John Fox, typically loyal to veteran players and John Elway, who was not exactly showering the young QB with praise. He's getting his opportunity now to prove himself to management after the benching of Kyle Orton, but while a handful of rushing TD's and mediocre passing numbers might make him a startable fantasy option, it's not going to excite John Elway and co. They want a traditional pocket passer that can carry a team with his arm and make all of the throws. If Tebow can't do that, he's going to find himself constantly fighting for a job. So while he may be a decent QB option for 2011 in your fantasy league, his long term Dynasty value will consistantly be in flux.

Tebow has a great ability to pick up yardage with his legs, but that will only get him so far in today's NFL. Will it help him stick around the league as a situational player? Absolutely, but in Dynasty leagues you are not looking for situational stats, you need consistent elite production from the QB position. This is an air it out league and Tim Tebow simply cannot air it out. When the Broncos need him to come up with a big throw, there cannot be much confidence that he'll make it. Desire, hard work and fiery leadership will only get you so far, at some point talent and physical ability will need to shine through in order to be a field general in the NFL.