My Case For Drafting Tim Tebow

[Mitch]

1. Has there ever been a tougher high-profile college QB than Tim Tebow? At halftime of the 2009 BCS Championship Game Tebow pleaded with Urban Meyer to have him run more. Meyer obliged...and Tebow, named the game's Most Outstanding Player, ran for 110 yards on 22 carries, in addition for passing for 18/30, 231 yards, 2 TDs, 2 ints. Tebow's jump pass TD to Dave Nelson with 3:00 left in the game made the score 24-14 and sealed the win.

www.usatoday.com/sports/colleg/football/bowls/2009-01-08-title-game_N.htm

Tebow's counterpart Sam Bradford threw for 26/41, 256 yards, 2 TDs, 2 ints.

2. Tebow inaccurate?

Playing in the SEC in the best defensive conference in the country:

Year: Comp. %/yards/TD-int/ rushing TDs

2006: 66.7%/358/5-1/8 rushing TDs

2007: 66.9%/3286/32-6/23 rushing TDs/9-4 record/Heisman Trophy (only sophomore to ever win a Heisman)

2008: 64.4%/2746/30-4/12 rushing TDs/13-1 record/NCAA Champions

2009: 67.8%/2895/21-5/14 rushing TDs/13-1 record

Career: 66.5%/9285/88-16/57 rushing TDs/35-6 record

Completion % Comparison to Sam Bradford:

Bradford:

2007: 69.5%
2008: 67.9%
2009: 56.5% (3 games)

Career TD/INTs:

Tebow: 88/16
Bradford: 88/16

Interesting, isn't it? Bradford played in fewer games yet attempted nearly the same number of passes, but what a coincidence!

3. How about Tebow's performance versus the undefeated Cincinnati Bearcats in the 2010 Sugar Bowl:

Tebow: 31/35 88.6%, 482 yards, 3 TDs.

4. Those were the stats...and yes, Tebow has issues with his mechanics, of which Urban Meyer has apologized to NFL coaches for not correcting, and of which Tebow is working several hours a day to correct. If you saw John Gruden's QB Special, you saw the corrections at work. He now has the ball tucked at his earhole, and is throwing over the top with a much faster trigger and quicker release. And did you see his feet? Not only are his drop back steps quick and strong, there is no QB in this draft class who can throw on the run the way he can.

Nightmare Waiting to Happen for NFL Offensive Coordiators?

You bet. Any time a QB poses as a running threat, it makes OC's lose sleep...the reason is, it make it more challenging to run a steady diet of man-to-man...because if the MLB leaves to cover the RB, he leaves the middle open for huge scrambles. Thus it forces the OC to keep a LB inside to shadow the QB as well...which usually means in a four man rush, six other defenders (5 receiver covers and 1 QB shadow) have man-to-man responsibilities, leaving only 1 safety. When you can take the second safety out of the equation you can pick apart a defense.

But putting aside all the stats and the issues with mechanics, as for Tim Tebow's "intangibles," I think Scouts Inc. said it best:

"Good size and strength for the position. Prototypical arm strength. Can make every NFL throw. Can zip short and intermediate passes and flashes touch and trajectory on deeper throws."

"Possesses rare toughness. A natural leader, Tebow's cup is over-flowing with intangibles. Tough, charismatic and smart, he's more than just a media darling. Coaches and advisors all rave about his personality on and off the field."

Work ethic?

Off the charts.

Desire to win?

Undeniable.

Makes Other Around Him better?

Unquestionably.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Accuracy - Awful
Release Speed - Terrible
Ability to operate a pro style offense - non existent
Failure as a NFL QB - Certain

 

[Chris_Sanders]

3 is average, 4 is below average

Mental Markup 3
Rare mental and physical toughness. Tremendous competitor with exceptional leadership skills. However, he has an enormous mental challenge ahead of him in the NFL. He locks onto primary target too often. Needs to learn to read coverages and to go through progression reads. Takes off to run too early and will need to reset his mental clock completely. Below average score (22) on the Wonderlic Test adds to concerns, as well.


Accuracy 4
Flashes the ability to fit the ball into tight spots down the field. Southpaw is at his best throwing vertically to the right side. Will fit the ball into some tight spots and flash potential in this area, but his overall accuracy as a passer is poor and his footwork is the root of the problem. He doesn't step to the target consistently enough. He over-strides and throws off balance far too frequently. He doesn't show the consistent ability to lead his receivers open. Terrible anticipatory accuracy. Completion percentages are completely misleading, as he frequently throws through enormous passing windows and will get away with missing within the strike zone.

Release 4
Has worked during post season on quickening his release. Has made strides in that department but is a work in progress. On film when under fire, Tebow's release is as poor as any legitimate quarterback prospect in this class. He carries the ball too low, he dips it down below his waist and he uses a windmill-like motion to deliver. NFL DB's will feast on this delivery if he isn't able to completely retool and maintain new mechanics.

 

[kerouac9]

I'm sure we will draft Tim Tebow...



...Should he fall to one of our third-round picks. Tim Tebow is not helping us win this year.

 

[Mulli]

3 is average, 4 is below average

Mental Markup 3
Rare mental and physical toughness. Tremendous competitor with exceptional leadership skills. However, he has an enormous mental challenge ahead of him in the NFL. He locks onto primary target too often. Needs to learn to read coverages and to go through progression reads. Takes off to run too early and will need to reset his mental clock completely. Below average score (22) on the Wonderlic Test adds to concerns, as well.


Accuracy 4
Flashes the ability to fit the ball into tight spots down the field. Southpaw is at his best throwing vertically to the right side. Will fit the ball into some tight spots and flash potential in this area, but his overall accuracy as a passer is poor and his footwork is the root of the problem. He doesn't step to the target consistently enough. He over-strides and throws off balance far too frequently. He doesn't show the consistent ability to lead his receivers open. Terrible anticipatory accuracy. Completion percentages are completely misleading, as he frequently throws through enormous passing windows and will get away with missing within the strike zone.

Release 4
Has worked during post season on quickening his release. Has made strides in that department but is a work in progress. On film when under fire, Tebow's release is as poor as any legitimate quarterback prospect in this class. He carries the ball too low, he dips it down below his waist and he uses a windmill-like motion to deliver. NFL DB's will feast on this delivery if he isn't able to completely retool and maintain new mechanics.

Did you write that?

 

[Duckjake]

Would rather have Colt McCoy.

Kurt Warner 6'2" 214
Colt McCoy 6'2" 216

Texas only lost 2 games in his 4 years where the opponent scored less than 28 points. 45-8 overall record.

McCoy's career completion % was 70.3%. Threw for 13,253 yards, 112TDs, and 45 INTs in an offense similar to what the Cards have run for the last 2.5 years. (Throw all over the lot and no running attack.)

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Did you write that?

No it is from Scouts Inc. though anyone outside of Florida who watched college football this year would have come to that conclusion watching Tebow play.

 

[lobo]

...Should he fall to one of our third-round picks. Tim Tebow is not helping us win this year.

.....or anyone else

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Would rather have Colt McCoy.

Kurt Warner 6'2" 214
Colt McCoy 6'2" 216

Texas only lost 2 games in his 4 years where the opponent scored less than 28 points. 45-8 overall record.

McCoy's career completion % was 70.3%. Threw for 13,253 yards, 112TDs, and 45 INTs in an offense similar to what the Cards have run for the last 2.5 years. (Throw all over the lot and no running attack.)

I agree

 

[Chopper0080]

3 is average, 4 is below average

Mental Markup 3
Rare mental and physical toughness. Tremendous competitor with exceptional leadership skills. However, he has an enormous mental challenge ahead of him in the NFL. He locks onto primary target too often. Needs to learn to read coverages and to go through progression reads. Takes off to run too early and will need to reset his mental clock completely. Below average score (22) on the Wonderlic Test adds to concerns, as well.


Accuracy 4
Flashes the ability to fit the ball into tight spots down the field. Southpaw is at his best throwing vertically to the right side. Will fit the ball into some tight spots and flash potential in this area, but his overall accuracy as a passer is poor and his footwork is the root of the problem. He doesn't step to the target consistently enough. He over-strides and throws off balance far too frequently. He doesn't show the consistent ability to lead his receivers open. Terrible anticipatory accuracy. Completion percentages are completely misleading, as he frequently throws through enormous passing windows and will get away with missing within the strike zone.

Release 4
Has worked during post season on quickening his release. Has made strides in that department but is a work in progress. On film when under fire, Tebow's release is as poor as any legitimate quarterback prospect in this class. He carries the ball too low, he dips it down below his waist and he uses a windmill-like motion to deliver. NFL DB's will feast on this delivery if he isn't able to completely retool and maintain new mechanics.

Learning to read through progressions is correctable.

Improving poor footwork which leads to poor accuracy is correctable.

Improving height of carrying and release points is correctable.

Being a natural leader, intense competitor, and knowing how to effectively work hard to improve oneself are all pretty innate characteristics. I agree that Tebow is to much of a project for the first round, but after that he will be as good as a team challenges him to be. I would love Arizona to be in a position to draft this guy in the 2nd or 3rd round, because he will work harder than any player out there to be the best that he possibly can. I think that we have the coaching staff to develop Tebow, and maximize his potential.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

They said all that nonsense about Eric Crouch too.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Would rather have Colt McCoy.

Kurt Warner 6'2" 214
Colt McCoy 6'2" 216

Texas only lost 2 games in his 4 years where the opponent scored less than 28 points. 45-8 overall record.

McCoy's career completion % was 70.3%. Threw for 13,253 yards, 112TDs, and 45 INTs in an offense similar to what the Cards have run for the last 2.5 years. (Throw all over the lot and no running attack.)

Ditto!

Although, the 6'2" height for McCoy seems pretty off... Gruden and others say that McCoy is eerily similar to Drew Brees in every way - including physically... Brees is 6 feet even. And I get the sense that McCoy is no bigger...

 

[lobo]

They said all that nonsense about Eric Crouch too.

....and a whole host of others.....anyone ever hear of Gino Torretta? If not check out his pedigree and gaze at his heismann (sp) trophy and throw a few of the Houston Cougar QB's in there and a whole mess of Golden Domers, and on and on and on. If Tebow was such a sure thing there would not be so much controversy regarding his ability surrounding him....no doubt a terrific kid, but a team gets little PR value or wins with him holding clipboard...Joe Montana said (sic) I tell if a kid is going to make it in the NFL after watching him for five minutes....okay he's lying it would take him 15 minutes!!!

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Unless cards draft him in the 4th I will be sick...

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Here is a bit of sage advice: Stay away from University of Florida QBs: they always bust...

 

[Stout]

Learning to read through progressions is correctable.

Improving poor footwork which leads to poor accuracy is correctable.

Improving height of carrying and release points is correctable.

Learning to read through progressions is certainly correctable for young QBs. To some extent, footwork can be worked on, but it is incredibly difficult to change it completely, which needs done with any spread QB, let alone Tebow. Improving height of carrying and release points is extremely uncoachable, escpecially when the bad habits are so drastically and completely wrong. This is one of the hardest things for any QB at any level to fix. With a QB like Tebow who has been doing it horribly wrong for his entire career, and is trying to be a QB in the NFL? It's going to be a monumental difficulty to overcome, if he can. I don't think he can, because it isn't something that drive and determination alone can fix.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Sports Science on ESPN just did an indepth analysis of Tebow's new throwing motion and said that his release point is exactly the same with his new throwing motion.

They also said his new throwing motion buys him an extra two feet of cushion to throw the ball.

Of course that is in a controlled environment and not real live game play/speed wich may or may not cause Tebow to revert back to his natural throwing motion.

Even with the improvement I still forsee Tebow as a terrible pro QB.

 

[binkar]

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Tebow might end up being a good player but it won't be because he is a dual threat and able to run the ball.

In the NFL, if you are going to run as a QB, you better run a 4.2

Because everyone on the defensive side of the ball in the NFL is as big as him and almost all of them are faster. He tries one too many of those dives in the NFL and he he'll be carried off on a stretcher.

He has the talent, work ethic, and intangibles GM's and coaches love, but so do a lot of other guys on Special Teams in the NFL.

He better learn to get rid of the ball quick and improve his ball otherwise he is nothing better then a situational player.

And for the Cardinals at #26? No thanks.

 

[Buckybird]

And for the Cardinals at #26? No thanks.

I would have a jersey bonfire in my backyard if Tebow is selected by us in Rds 1 or 2 & post it for all to see.

 

[binkar]

Keep in mind, Mitch, that Matt Leinart, the QB you openly protest, had similar passing percentages and played in 2 national titles. What gives?

 

[Buckybird]

Learning to read through progressions is certainly correctable for young QBs. To some extent, footwork can be worked on, but it is incredibly difficult to change it completely, which needs done with any spread QB, let alone Tebow. Improving height of carrying and release points is extremely uncoachable, escpecially when the bad habits are so drastically and completely wrong. This is one of the hardest things for any QB at any level to fix. With a QB like Tebow who has been doing it horribly wrong for his entire career, and is trying to be a QB in the NFL? It's going to be a monumental difficulty to overcome, if he can. I don't think he can, because it isn't something that drive and determination alone can fix.

 

[Krangodnzr]

They said all that nonsense about Eric Crouch too.

Dude I respect you a lot, but this comment is flat out absurd.

Eric Crouch wasn't 1/10th the passer that Tebow was, and wasn't even as good a runner as well. Put Crouch's career stats next to Tebow's and you'll see what I'm talking about. Now granted they played in entirely different systems, but virtually no one thought that Crouch was a first day QB, and most prognosticators believe Tebow will be.

I would love Tebow, I'm in the minority. BUT not in the first 2 rounds! 3rd round? Most definitely, the pay off for Tebow reaching his potential is great enough that it would be worth the risk at that point in the draft. Tebow could be the next Steve Young or he could be the next huge bust.

We're not in a position to gamble on him; if we had a sturdy veteran QB and a top ten defense then I would advocated drafting Tebow with the 26th pick if available. But alas we don't have that kind of luxury.

 

[CardsFan88]

You know that video of Deion sanders running backwards hella fast, like as fast as someone was running forwards?

Well that's what Tim Tebow nearly looked like in gruden's qb school show today. He was absolutely pounding backwards. I'm not concerned about his ability to drop back. Quite frankly he might outrun some of the DE backwards during the drop and GAIN separation. I wouldn't even sweat a big DT catching him (aside from blind luck).

In the drill, Gruden had him throwing passes as fast as possible (without searching for the laces)...just grab and throw. He was grabbing, he was throwing, and was getting rid of the ball FAST. Granted it was a drill, but he showed me enough there to say the footwork won't be a problem, and how he holds the ball, shouldn't be, nor the speed of his release. His release was FAST. There's no longer a wind-up in it.

I just have a feeling this kid is going to be great. Part of the reason he had such wide open windows was because of how he directed the offense. Like a power forward driving and sucking in the defender before kicking out to your 3 point specialist. Tebow just has a knack. I won't say Plummer knack, but not too far off. He makes plays, with his head, body, or arm.

We also keep forgetting a very important point. Whiz might not WANT a qb to throw the ball 40 times. If that's the case, Tebow's passing faults are less noticeable, and his size, strength and stature will be magnified positively.

We don't need Tebow to run 22 times a game. If he takes off 3-4 times and gets a first down, we'll take it.

He doesn't need to be our rb, we got beanie and hightower for that. But down around the goal line a good running attack, AND tebow, AND fitzgerald is just sick to think about. Who the hell do you cover? Fitz on the fade? stack the box for wells or hightower? tebow for the sneak? It's virtually unstoppable. Also looks like steeler football to me.

I just think if they are envisioning a big, strong, physical presence qb like Big ben, Tebow is the guy. Actually that's probably a bad comparison....Big ben can't hold a candle (maybe a beer bottle) next to Tebow on those traits. If big ben was the evolution of the 'steelers' qb, Tebow goes even beyond it.

Also when we throw ML in for comparison lets just say USC had much better talent around ML than Tebow had at florida. ML was a success because of the guys around him imo. Tebow made the guys around him a success. That's how I see it. One guy was along for the ride, and did a great job at it. One guy was the ride, and everyone had fun hanging on.

He didn't have Percy Harvin this year, yet his numbers didn't drift. It wasn't Harvin that made Tebow.

He didn't have an nfl stud running back nor the college version in Reggie Bush. Not sure about the lineman, but it would have to be pretty insanely good, because USC's was and they're in the NFL to prove it.

Sign me up mitch. I'm for drafting this kid even at 26. But hopefully round 2. That said, I won't cry if we go lb/dt.

However I'd love dt/qb/lb or lb/qb/dt. But if we need to go qb/lb/dt or qb/dt/lb I'm all right with that. This is a nice deep draft, and I think we'll still be able to get a good player in the 2nd or 3rd round THIS year at positions we need to address. I don't think we can get a guy like tebow for many years. If we do, I don't see how we're not trading up, or having a sucky season to get one like him. Any other year I could see the 9 out of 10 pundits gong 'consensus #1 pick'...we have an opportunity for a steal.

This guy may or may not redefine the QB position. But if he has a shot, take a shot with him. It's not like he'd be asked to run the 30th ranked offense. I just got a feeling about this kid, and think we're being set up for the next 'non top 10 pick' or 'mid round' steal sort of like Brady that ESPN can pimp for the next 5 years. Every kid is a risk to some degree.

When it comes to QB's you can find as many warts about somebody as I'm sure Hugh Heffner has. I think what's throwing people off is they're putting too much weight behind a flaw in Tebow that he'll still probably be able to get away with even in the NFL because the aspects he's better than the other QB's in this draft will allow him to stick to his strengths more lessening the need to throw all over the field to have success. Jim McMahon knew when NOT to throw. I think if we drafted Tebow, we'd find the parts we're overlooking and underrating are not only stellar, but almost legendary. A quantum leap if compared against ANY other QB in this draft, and probably the last 5-11 years.

Also as a side note, when you look at HOW the Qb's were talking with Gruden, Tebow was the best and most intelligent in the back and forth answers. I'm not worried about his wonderlic. It wasn't Vince Young (~7) low. Clausen lied and then gave a b.s. answer where he said there were two things why he did something wrong on a tape gruden showed. 1 was bs, the 2nd was the answer 'gruden' gave him. He didn't even answer the question. Just made those two excuses. Tebow had the right answers, delivered them quickly, and you get the sense he isn't all talk. He walks the walk.

This guy is going to make it. If not for his physical talent, then his mental toughness and drive. Anquan Boldin wasn't the fastest, but he was physical and was mentally tough, and was going to succeed. Tebow is at the very least on the same level as Q in those respects.

Just my opinion. But it will be great to watch his career unfold. Hopefully it will be with us.

 

[Timm Rosenbach]

In a year where the Cardinals have significant needs in the linebacking core, the secondary, at NT, and at OL

Tim Tebow, Tim Tebow, Tim Tebow, Tim Tebow

Lets draft him in both rounds 1 and 2 just for emphasis