The Tim Tebow debate has made its way onto Twitter with ESPN analyst Merril Hoge and LeBron James jumping into the mosh pit.

Hoge started a Twitter brawl by slamming Tebow’s questionable ability to start for the Denver Broncos with this Tweet.

“Sitting watching tape off [sic] bronco offense from last year! Orton or Tebow? It’s embarrassing to think the broncos could win with tebow!!”

Photo: Jeffrey Beall

Embarrassing, probably not since every year there are Cinderella teams and players in the NFL. With Tebow’s successful run for the Florida Gators some like LeBron believe the guy knows how to win and that will transition to the NFL.

James came to Tebow’s defense with this Tweet to his 2 million-plus followers:

“Tim Tebow will succeed in the NFL. He’s a hard worker, a student of the game, a natural born leader and most of all a WINNER! It takes time and he’ll be nice.”

Hoge is a former player for the Steelers and an NFL analyst on Sportscenter and didn’t pull any punches in critiquing Tebow.

During a recent broadcast Hoge said: “He is awful as far as accuracy goes and what’s kind of even more disturbing, he’s probably worse moving and running around with the football and throwing than he is from the pocket.”

LeBron responded to Hoge’s scathing remarks with this Tweet:

“Listened to Merril Hoge today…Guys get on that TV and act like they was all WORLD when they played. How bout encouraging him and wishing him the best instead of hating!!”

Hoge held firm on his opinion writing on his Twitter account that:

“Orton is a good guy as well. It’s about who can play!! I just watched Tebow throw 5 out routes to a wide open WR! He was 1 for 5! 2 went in the dirt, two in the stands…”

That’s harsh Merril but if those tapes exist and you show the world that Tebow possesses that inaccurate an arm, you have a strong argument.

Tebow, shown with his rookie hazing haircut above, is a gentleman at heart and responded with a Tweet that was loaded with sarcasm:

“Hey Merril…… ‘ppreciate that.”

Kyle Orton who has been taking a majority of the Broncos snaps over the past few seasons has been doing the same this entire preseason. Regardless of the fact Orton is running the No. 1 offense at practices, it’s no secret the Miami Dolphins were in serious talks trying to obtain the veteran.

With new head coach John Fox at the helm, it’s anyone’s guess where this debate will end and who will get called to start opening weekend in September…and don’t forget, a guy who was once highly-touted named Brady Quinn is also sitting in the wings.

Used with permission of the author.

Jay Donetelli is a Tampa-based freelance sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax. With an opinion sharper than an Ovechkin skate blade with the sting of an Ali jab, Donetelli has a loyal cult of readers who have found a way to love him.

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