Tim Tebow's latest doubter: Darrelle Revis

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.

There are plenty of Tim Tebow detractors who think the quarterback can't make it in his current role in Denver's option attack. Turns out one of them is playing against him Thursday night.

Chalk up Jets All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis as yet another Tebow naysayer.

Revis was asked Tuesday whether an NFL team could be successful over the long haul primarily running the option. "Yeah, if you have Michael Vick and Chris Johnson at running back, it can work," he said. "They're probably the two fastest guys that can get out to the edge on you."

And what about Tebow? Revis paused, then replied, "No, not for a whole season. We know what they're doing, and we feel comfortable in our game plan."

Another day, another doubter. Welcome to Tebow's world.

The second-year quarterback out of Florida has been a lightning rod for criticism since being a first-round pick under former coach Josh McDaniels. A quarterback who loves to run, whose passing accuracy has come into question, and whose ability to read defenses is suspect, Tebow is nevertheless living the dream.

After taking over for Kyle Orton last month, Tebow is 3-1, albeit in unconventional fashion. Take Sunday's 17-10 win in Kansas City that moved the Broncos to within a game of the AFC West lead. Tebow completed only 2 of 8 passes and had nine rushing attempts. But one of his passes was a 56-yard touchdown, and he scored a rushing touchdown.

So any hard feelings about Revis' comments?

"No, not really," he said. "He's a great player, and I'm really looking forward to playing him. I honestly don't pay attention or worry too much about what others say. I just try to get better and consistently improve."

Tebow is still very much a work in progress, and his mechanics are often questioned because of a long, looping delivery that is considered by many scouts to be too cumbersome and slow for the NFL. And now that the Broncos are willing to use the run as their primary offense -- they ran 55 times last week -- the scrutiny has only increased on Tebow's long-term prognosis in the NFL.

I share Revis' skepticism about Tebow being able to function as an option QB over the long term, and remain doubtful about his chances of turning into a big-time passer. But one thing I'll never question is his heart, as well as his love for the game. The guy is a football player, and there is a place for him in the NFL. Quarterback? Running back? Tight end? Slot receiver?

Yes. Yes. Yes. And yes. He can play anywhere, although he has a clear preference when I asked whether he'd be willing to split his time among all those positions if asked. "I'll do whatever they want me to do to win games," he said. "But I'd love to play quarterback. It's something I've dreamed of since I've been a little boy, and I'm thankful for it right now."

So is first-year coach John Fox, who's been willing to adapt his thinking to fit Tebow's strengths . . . and weaknesses. And despite the speculation that Fox ultimately wants to see him fail because he wasn't his draft pick, Fox said, "That doesn't make much sense. That'd be like buying a Ferrari and pouring sugar in the gas tank."

Time will tell if Tebow's worth keeping or if the Broncos go a different route. In the meantime, there's one skeptic Tebow would like to convince Thursday night. "The guy has been frowned on since he came into the NFL," Revis said. "He has a chip on his shoulder. He has his opportunity right now to prove people wrong."

Will Revis be next on Tebow's list? That's the plan.