After Peyton Manning chose the Broncos, talk immediately shifted to what the future holds for Tim Tebow. Denver reportedly is putting Tebow on the trading block. If you were the GM or coach of another team, why would you want Tebow on your roster?
I definitely would want Tebow on my roster because the guy is a football player who loves the game and possesses a contagious charisma. Thing is, I don't know if I'd want him as my starting quarterback. He has such a long way to go to fit into today's game, in terms of being a passer and the overall way he plays the position. I'm not sure I could ask the other players on the team to change so much solely for one guy -- unless I have a young team that's in the process of rebuilding and playing Tebow's style is exactly the approach I want to take.
If I had him, I'd use him in an H-back-type role, where he would make defenses take note of his presence on the field as a run/pass threat. I'd also use him as the personal punt protector to make opposing return teams view him as a run/pass threat. And I'd have him as a FG/PAT holder as well for that same reason. He'd be on all my special teams, for that matter, and I might go a little Belichick and throw him in as a hybrid OLB pass rusher, as well. Tebow is a baller, and I love his approach to the game. I think he'd do anything asked of him because he's such a competitor.
There is a place for him in the NFL. I'm just not sure it's behind center as a No. 1 QB.
If you're the general manager of a club that doesn't have a surefire No. 1, a little competition is never bad. Secondly, if your offensive coordinator thinks he can make the most of Tebow's athletic abilities in situational offense for the next couple of seasons (while Tebow is young), then it's also a nice move.
The price for Tebow probably isn't going to be that high. He could conceivably come in and win a game off the bench with little reps in practice, if only because a defense would have even less reps facing a quarterback with his specific skill set. From a different angle ... What if Tebow joined a team and went 3-1 in relief due to that factor, or an easy schedule? The possibility of trading him and ultimately getting a slightly higher draft pick than you acquired him for is just good business.
Tebow brings toughness and a good attitude to the table. He's also still a very young player at 24. And for those franchises that need the help, don't forget his ability to put butts in seats. Pro football is just that ... professional. Money is involved. For the right price (fifth- or sixth-round pick), why not Tebow?
Tebow can provide some diversification in your offense to possibly help you in goal-line or short-yardage situations. He can give you a power inside running game, as well as the option game outside. There is enough of a pass threat so defenses can't play you totally as a one-dimensional team, like they eventually did with Miami in its Wildcat.
Bottom line: It would give defensive coordinators one more thing to spend time on in preparation for your team.
As I've said all along, Tim Tebow is not worthy of being starting QB in the NFL. He's a quirky change-of-pace guy to put in short-yardage situations. Period.
So why would a rebuilding team want Tebow? Obviously, he excites the fan base, which I'm sure sounds especially good to the twin Sunshine State punch-line franchises in Jacksonville and Miami. In other words, if the bottom line is the bottom line, Tebow is your guy.
Otherwise, buyer beware. Aside from shedding his contract, there's a practical reason Denver is shopping him: He's an all-consuming distraction. You think Peyton Manning and his ego -- which throughout his career has required that he take every snap, even in practice -- are interested in answering questions about the Tebow sideshow? (That question was rhetorical -- he isn't ... and not just cause Timmy played for the Gators.)
I would want Tim Tebow on my team because he is exactly what all coaches claim they are seeking. He's talented, charismatic, a leader of the highest order and a team player of the same magnitude.
If you need him to come off the bench and play QB until your starter gets well, he can do that. (And you can still expect to win each week.) If you decide to make him your starter and fully buy in to who he is and what he can do on the field? Well, last year's Denver Broncos season stands as a case study (and Tebow's résumé). Winning QB record, division title, playoff win -- all achieved with a completion rate under 50 percent. Given time, I'd expect him to improve in that area.
At the end of the day, Tim Tebow wins ... and isn't that the goal of every team, every week?
- !
- Jason Smith NFL.com
Tebow could make a small-market team relevant
There are two reasons you want Tim Tebow on your team. One is if you're fighting the battle for NFL relevancy. Teams like Jacksonville or Cleveland are so far removed from the NFL map, they need a high-profile player for the fan base to adopt and to create buzz. Without buzz, it's hard to attract free agents or convince your potential free agents to stay, because they feel like the franchise is stagnant and there are better opportunities elsewhere.
The second reason is this: Tebow showed enough last year to warrant someone taking a chance on him as a starting QB. Not a team with an established starter or one with a future QB in place, but one that's still searching for that player. It's possible it could be Tebow, so I'd obtain him and let him play at least this year before I venture out again in search of my franchise QB. There's no one you can get at this point who would be an upgrade to Tebow. And the best part is you know the Broncos' price will be small. They have to part ways with him. Saying they'd be "agreeable" to a trade means: We'll take anything you offer. Please, just take him off our hands!
Did somebody already coin the "All he does is win" tagline? Beyond all of that, Tebow does serve a rather useful purpose for NFL teams. The league has become so specialized when it comes to running backs, pass rushers, tight ends who can either only catch or block, etc. The time has come for the short-yardage quarterback!
Tebow does create matchup problems with his ability to tuck the ball and run. (Something you can ask the Jets about.) And if teams get too cute and dare him to throw the ball, well, Tebow can do that, too. (As the Steelers can attest.) About the only thing I can't see Tebow doing long term is being an every-down quarterback.
So I'd look for a team with an innovative coach and a rather immobile quarterback who could use a reliever to come in and pick up those tricky 3rd-and-1s. Some teams could also utilize him at the goal line. But not the Broncos, because they have one of the most nibble quarterbacks in the league getting ready to start for them this season.