Tim Tebow is the talk of Twitter ... especially for Merril Hoge

Tim Tebow versus Kyle Orton. For most NFL fans it's a fun debate about who should be the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback. Of course it's a more serious issue for Broncos fans -- and apparently Merril Hoge.

The ESPN NFL analyst sent out a barrage of tweets Wednesday (five total) so critical of Tebow's playing ability that NBA superstar LeBron James of all people jumped to the former Florida quarterback's defense, also via Twitter.

Hoge returned to Twitter on Thursday with four tweets directed at Tebow, explaining that the views he expressed the previous day were about "football only."

It all started Wednesday with this post from Hoge: "Sitting watching tape off bronco offense from last year! Orton or Tebow? It's embarrassing to think the broncos could win with tebow!!"