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Tim Tebow The Enigma
by Liam Blackburn
6/2/2010
 The biggest prize in the game has yet to be awarded and the draft is still just under three months away, but it’s already started. Ladies and gentlemen, Tim Tebow is coming to the NFL and the hype-machine is in overdrive.
The three time Heisman trophy finalist and one of the best college players in history is about to make the step up.
He’s not the best player in the draft. He’s not even the best player in his position. But he’s the most talked about by some way. Tim Tebow is an enigma and he’s got everybody talking about him. The first test came last weekend at the Senior Bowl and it’s fair to say that the former Florida Gator hardly covered himself in glory. In an NFL-style offense, Tebow managed to complete only eight of twelve passes for a measly 50 yards. On the ground he managed only four yards from as many carries.
Perhaps the cynics were right. The worries about his mechanics, his performance under center and his slow release had not been dispelled.
But this is a man who led Florida to two national titles. He is a leader, a driven man focused on becoming a starting NFL quarterback. There can be no questioning his attitude and his college career speaks volumes.
This is what makes Tebow such an interesting proposition in this draft. Where will he end up? When will he be taken? Will he be a success? These are the questions that will be asked over and over again in the next three months right up until draft day at the end of April.
With limited knowledge and experience of college football, I’ve been left to view Tebow’s finest moments on YouTube. Admittedly, I could probably cut together a video of Peyton Manning’s worst bits and interceptions from this season and make him look like JaMarcus Russell. YouTube is never a good indication of a player’s strengths and limitations but I’ve seen enough to be similarly intrigued by Tebow.
 It seems bizarre that a man who was totally dominant at one level of the game could then struggle to even start at the next level. But the uncertainty surrounding Tebow has highlighted the gulf in class between college football and the pros.
As I don’t really follow college football, I’m completely unaware of the majority of these college players, but the Tebow hype is fascinating. The opinions vary and although the majority of experts say he’s going to struggle, there are those who claim he has the potential to revolutionise the quarterback position.
The mock drafts have started already and the biggest news from Bucky Brooks’ first edition was the omission of Tebow from the first round. He chose not to reflect on any of his selected picks but rather on a pick he didn’t make.
There are those who agree with Brooks and some even believe Tebow will go as far as the third round. However it is also not hard to find those who believe Tebow’s guaranteed the big bucks that a top ten pick brings.
Whatever you believe, you can’t help but talk about him. Everyone has something to say about him.
The wild and varied projections can be put down to one simple thing. Tebow’s biggest strength is also his biggest weakness.
The unpredictability and unique nature of the southpaw also works against him. You can’t simply slot Tebow into a system. The offensive linemen, the running back, the tight end and the wide receivers must all be built to accommodate the quarterback. And if Tebow goes down injured? Well there simply aren’t many out there who can play the game in the manner he does.
 I recently had a discussion with someone about how I preferred watching scrambling quarterbacks like Tebow who can run to pocket posers. Yes the best in the business often fall into the latter category but it’s the unpredictability of a scrambler which excites me. When a quarterback gets out of the pocket, they get out of their comfort zone. The franchise’s most prized assist is vulnerable. Do they run or do they pass? Often the QB will not know what to do so the defense is left to simply speculate.
Does an NFL team try and keep Tebow in the pocket and work on his style, action and release? I’m not sure that’s entirely possible. Tebow’s strengths lie elsewhere and whoever drafts him must be aware of that.
Picking him is like the all-in move in poker. It’s a risk but someone is going to take it, it’s just a question of who and when.
The smart money lies with the Jacksonville Jaguars. There are many teams who have quarterback needs and perhaps Jacksonville (with Pro-Bowl selection David Garrard) is not one of them. However the Jaguars need to fill their stadium and hometown boy Tebow may be just the answer they are looking for. If he is a success, he may well just transform a franchise currently struggling to put bums on seats. Garrard is capable of starting while Tebow learns the ropes but ultimately the crowd will pine for the Jacksonville kid to be installed as soon as possible, particularly with the media frenzy that would no doubt surround this move. Can Jacksonville wait until after the first round to get him? Yet again, it’s another Tebow-related question which divides opinion.
Whatever happens, for the next few months Tim Tebow will be scrutinised like no other player has ever been when entering the NFL Draft. The general consensus is that he has a long way to go to become a good starting NFL quarterback. But on the evidence of what he’s shown in college and his phenomenal work ethic, Tebow cannot be written off.
Presuming that Brett Favre makes a quick decision on his retirement (and sticks to it) and Michael Vick remains out of the headlines, Tim Tebow could be the name on everyone’s lips for the next six months. Whatever your opinion on the former Gator, witnessing how Tebow adapts to life in the NFL will be the most fascinating story from this year’s draft.
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