 For the past three year's, Tim Tebow has been the poster child for the Gator's football program. To say that Tebow will be sorely missed in Gainesville is so absurd it has become an oxymoron rather than a simple understatement. The big question is not how do the Gators survive in 2011 A.T. (After Tebow), but rather does Tebow have what it takes to make it in the NFL?
Tim Tebow, by all accounts shouldn't even be alive. Pam Tebow developed a life threatening infection while pregnant ... the Filipino doctors treating her suggested an abortion to save her life.
The Tebow family, Christian Missionaries, could not under any circumstances even consider the option.
The doctors expected the baby to be still born ... Tim Tebow has been breaking records since.
Tebow began his high school career at Trinity Christian Academy, but was played at linebacker and tight end on a running team. Tebow and his mom moved into an apartment in St Johns County to make him eligible to play for Nease High School.
If Tebow had been a border line quarterback, no one would have ever said a word. Instead, many people questioned the legality of the 'out of county' player who had moved to a temporary location in order to play quarterback.
Everyone knows the rest of the story.
Tebow's stats at Nease are amazing:
9810 passing yards, 95 touchdowns
3186 rushing yards, 62 rushing touchdowns
Twice selected as the Florida Player of the Year
Stats at the University of Florida
9286 passing yards, 88 touchdowns
2947 rushing yards, 57 touchdowns
Entire list of Tebow's Collegiate Awards can be found here: link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Tebow#College_awards_and_honors
Analysts and fans alike bashed Tebow during his Senior season for having an 'off year'. To many, rips had appeared in Superman's cape.
Knowing that Florida's offensive line had four different left tackles during the season (and several other "plug in's" at different points of the year), knowing that NO replacement for Percy Harvin ever materialized, and realizing the fact that Florida's receivers had difficulty breaking press-man coverage is more revealing to Tebow's lower stats season than anything.
The Gator offense, while still holding their crown jewel at quarterback, was effectively rebuilt last season.Tebow posted better numbers than most want to give him credit for:
2895 passing, 21 touchdowns. 910 yards rushing, 14 touchdowns.
Keep in mind that Tebow also suffered a concussion and was sacked 25 times.
Can Tebow Make it in the NFL?
Several NFL Scouts have (off the record) stated that Tebow could be successful in the NFL, but only if the situation is right. Translation: Tebow can only make it as a gimmick player in the NFL.
Tim Tebow, to anyone's knowledge, has never taken a game snap under center. Every snap he has taken has been from the Shotgun or Pistol formations only. Yes, this makes a huge difference. No professional team (in their right mind) would use a draft pick on a quarterback that has yet to prove he can take a direct snap.
While most people enjoyed watching Tebow play at Florida, a large percentage of his 'game' consists of rushing the football on designed rushing plays. It is one thing for a quarterback to have Michael Vick's ability to take off on the run ... it is an entirely different animal for that quarterback to be looking to run the ball play after play after play. Durability would most definitely become a factor.
The most questionable item with Tim Tebow's draft stock involves his ability to actually throw the football. While many will point to the fact that Tebow has career 9286 passing yards ... he has a hitch in his throwing motion.
Prior to the 2009 season, the 'hitch' was widely discussed among fans, nothing was apparently done by the coaching staff to fix Tebow's delivery. The technique flaw is not a "career killer" from the standpoint that a player like Brett Favre has almost an identical problem.
Tebow's over all mechanics have been picked apart over the course of the past four seasons. Mechanically, he is not the most sound quarterback available in the draft this year. That is a fact.
For every tangible fault that someone can find in Tebow, there is an intangible that could over ride the fault.
Tim Tebow is a proven leader. Witness his promise following the Ole Miss loss during his Junior season. While it took more than just the starting quarterback to win 22 consecutive games, Tebow has widely been singled out as the over all team leader.
I am a proponent that not all management skills can be learned. Leaders are not formed and developed, they are born. It really is that simple and Tebow is a born leader.
All Tebow has done is win. While other SEC quarterbacks can be pointed out as having solid winning percentages (Andrew Zow, David Greene for example), Tebow's wins came as a direct result of his role within the offense.
Does any of this mean Tebow could be a solid starter in the NFL? Not at all. The pro game is an entirely different game. Take Joe Flacco for instance. If you can honestly sit there and say "I knew Flacco would be a solid starter for the Ravens", my reaction would be that you are delusional. Plain and simple. Rookie quarterbacks are hit or miss in the NFL.
There is no set-in-stone formula to determine success for NFL quarterbacks. Joe Montana was supposed to be a bust. Jeff George was a 'can not miss' player. Brett Favre's technique was ridiculed. The list could go on and on ... the NFL has enough suspect quarterbacks to poke holes in to.
The bottom line is Tim Tebow will be drafted into one of two situatuations:
He is drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars to sell season tickets and advertising opportunities. Tebow is originally from the Jacksonville area. The real question is: if Jacksonville pulls the trigger and takes Tebow, do they start him in a redesigned offense?
He is drafted as a project player (third round or later) to a team that has a solid veteran quarterback. Tebow could be used in 'special' situations while he learns behind an NFL veteran.
The worst case situation for Tebow: drafted by a franchise that has a solid need for a quarterback who would be expected to start immediately. Tebow is not ready to start full-time for an NFL team. He has too many mechanical issues. He also has shown in key games that, with pressure in his face, he has a tendency to make bad decisions. Tebow was sacked 25 times his Senior year. Most of those sacks can be blamed on poor offensive line play, but at some point, one has to look at whether or not the quarterback has pocket presence. Can Tebow feel the rush coming?
Having watched Tebow for the past four years, he was a fun player to witness. Is he ready for the next step? Given the correct situation, yes he will be ready. What are the chances that will actually hapen? Seriously, as much as I would like to say that Tebow is a lock for a solid NFL career, at this point, I am simply having problems getting past his technique, arm strength, accuracy, and pocket presence deficiencies. He can not run the ball 20 times per game and be successful because defensive team speed at this level is too great.
Am I reading him wrong? Is Tebow ready for the NFL or will it require a team to be willing to adjust its entire offense to fit a quarterback?
 |
Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics. 
The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.
The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.
The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account! 
The question of Tebow in the NFL is fascinating to me. His running ability isn't much of a plus in the pros, as he will get killed. I didn't see much in college that makes me think he can stand in the pocket and sling it 35-40 times per game effectively.
In terms of the risk-reward payoff, I see him as a big-time project. I can't see why a team would want to risk a really high pick on him.
AK