Despite being a charming and thoughtful young man, it became quite clear that towards the end of his NFL career quarterback Tim Tebow had become the butt of many an NFL punch line.
However, with the great man deciding to sit out the 2013/14 season in order to reinvigorate his spiritual energies (because, y’know, no one will sign him), the league kicked off the year without anyone to really laugh at.
Thankfully however, a brave few from the footballing fraternity have decided to step into the breach and give the fans something to chuckle about in among all the big plays, audibles and unnecessary roughness.
So, ladies and gentlemen, get your laughing gear ready as I present to you the NFL clowns of 2013
Eli Manning
Life in the Manning household was always going to be tough for Eli Manning, as while many of us have to put up with older brothers hogging the limelight, few have to do so with a sibling who is a cross between Neil Armstrong and John Wayne in the US sporting consciousness.
Despite this however Eli has for the most part managed to carve out a successful NFL career, with some even arguing that his two Super Bowl rings to Peyton’s one have earned him the title of the superior Manning.
Well until 2013 anyway.
While Peyton at the 11-3 Broncos is eyeing off six individual quarterback league records over the final rounds, Eli Manning and his 5-8 Giants have also been hitting targets.
These targets mostly being opposition players, as he continues to feed rivals interceptions like an overexcited kid at the petting zoo meeting his first baby lamb.
Fortunately for Eli he’s in the same div as…
Mike Shanahan
The ever prickly Mike Shanahan has a long and decorated coaching career. And, one that is most likely over by the time you finish reading this article.
Shanahan’s Washington Redskins side have gone from the league’s excitement machines last year to virtually unwatchable this year, as is evidenced by their last home game against the Chiefs where the only people left in the Stadium after three quarter time were some bottle tan cheerleaders battling frostbite.
His recent decision to rest star quarterback Robert Griffin the Third for the remainder of the season is likely to be the final straw for a fan-base who was just starting to get their brag on again, and one can only ask whether Shanahan has a deal with the NY Jets lined up ala George Costanza and is trying his hardest to escape Washington before the colder months.
Trent Richardson
When the rising Indianapolis Colts acquired star Running Back Trent Richardson from the hapless Cleveland Browns earlier in the season, it reminded most NFL fans of the Simpsons episode where Homer cruelly buys a cash strapped Ned Flanders’ brand new BBQ for the princely sum of $20.
Many saw it as a sign that the Browns, only a couple of weeks into their 2013 campaign, had already decided to throw the season.
The joke’s been on the blue and whites however as Richardson, he of the Madden cover fame, has to date displayed a rushing game that would make most kickers blush.
Granted, he has been catching a few more passes lately, but Richardson is defiantly numero duo at the Colts and may find himself further on the outer when Vic Ballard returns next season.
The Houston Texans
You may not mess with Texas…but the Texans are a right ol’ mess.
Having taken out the AFC South last year and considered unlucky by many not to go further, the men from Houston have sunk to depths this year that should see them striking oil soon.
No coach, no quarterback and not likely to win another game this year, the Texans are odds on to come last in their div.
Which I guess could mean some good draft picks, and maybe if they’re luck the kind people of Jacksonville can invite them to their street parade for the all-conquering third place Jags?
Mike Tomlin
NFL coaches, with their egos, fashion statements and proximity to the sideline, give pound for pound the most spectator value for any sporting managers.
Strangely enough though it was the usually mild mannered Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin who managed to pull this year’s Rex Ryan perpetual trophy for coaching brain snap of the season, with his interference on a Baltimore kick returner earning him a $100,000 fine from the NFL.
Note: there is not an extra zero in that figure. We’re talking one hundred large.
Was it on purpose? Or just an accident?
We may never know, but with the Steelers again looking like missing the play-offs…it sure was stupid.
Anyone else deserve a mention?
dmac
Guest
He was looking at the kicker to check he was ready - if you watch the Dolphins, you'll see he always looks to the kicker immediately before calling for the snap. It's just that John Denney decided to snap when he felt the urge....
Seb Vettel
Guest
Not in a million years will he play NFL as a quarterback again. With all the talent coming up thick and fast - there is no way a team will pay him millions when they can pay around 600k for someone miles better from the draft.
Tony H
Guest
I'm hoping Jerry Jones somehow offers a ridiculous trade for RG3 just for some serious entertainment in the offseason this would top of the season.
Nick
Guest
Yeah... Robert Griffin. Also out of a job and on his way to sit with Tebow
Kasey
Guest
Actually he laid a couple: and got creamed in a cheap shot -> http://youtu.be/Z_vYB3walr4 Here's one good Sav tackle: http://youtu.be/AYyOvoolACo
Kasey
Guest
Anytime an idiot pulls a bone-headed play like taunting an opponent just before they're about to enter the house is a highlight for me. I hate the way some players carry on when they make a good play and I love it when the zebras call them on it:) and dish out the yellow flag. I hope next season the NFL allows the zebras to negate the score. When you go to the end zone - try to act like you've been there before!
Kasey
Guest
Ouch definitely, shows how brave/stupid Sav Rocca was laying that tackle in his first NFL season back in the day.
Morfs
Guest
The only high point of that game for me.
Tony Loedi
Roar Guru
There is no doubt though he can win you games, but the problem is its such a gamble because you have change your whole offense to suit him. But if I were a team that Never wins like the Jags why wouldn't you give it a crack?
Tony Loedi
Roar Guru
No point for him going this year as the team that holds his rights won't play him as they have one of the greatest CFL players of all time at QB
Eliot Bingham
Roar Pro
Surely Danny Trevathan gets a mention for intercepting a pass in Week 1, running for the pick-six and dropping the ball before to goal line in celebration.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Yes, Tebow should have take Warren Moon's Road, played in Canada and then, once he's proven he can hit the passes he needs to hit, then a NFL team can bring him in.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Lee, Because his mechanics are shit, and he wont play anything other than QB.
Kasey
Guest
Nice article Chris, but how can you stick the boot into the Texans without mentioning the Texans QB (Matt Schaub) who threw a pick-6 INT in 4 consecutive games earlier in the season (NFL record). It got so bad when he left the home blowout loss v the Rams of St Louis after getting injured by a sack ...the home fans cheered!
Kasey
Guest
Women have ' that time of the month' Romo has ' that time of the year' and its called December. The cow-girl's meltdown against a Rogers-less Packers in Jerry-World was half expected given the month we're in but still hilarious to watch. Even the RG3-less 'skins must think themselves a chance next week in one of the NFL's biggest rivalry games.
Morfs
Guest
I've just watched the block that broke his jaw later in the match. Ouch.
Lee
Guest
Ya gotta ask yourself...how in the heck does the kid (Tebow) not have even a 3rd string, splinter gathering, position at ANYTHING, anywhere in the NFL? Odd at best, bothersome to downright creepy if you think much about it. Can't throw? Really?? Wow--broke not 1, not 2, not 3--but shattered EVERY SEC passing record...against Bamas & LSUs & Auburns--oh my! Ran for more TDs in college than Hershel Walker--but suddenly the kid can contribute NOTHING at the pro level to a team like, oh say, JAX? Puh-lease. When, oh when, will we hear Stephen A. Myth tell us over & over & over again that Gino Smith 'can't' & 'doesn't deserve' to play QB in the NFL? To heck w/repeatedly--howz about just ONCE? Or ESPN's love affair w/this 'exciting, new style of football Chip Kelly has brought to the league' (fka 'This Tim Tebow style of football just won't fly in the league')? All the QBs who have gone down this season: They've called up 44y/o winkie selfies haven't played in 5 yrs guys. They've called up practice squad never played a pro down guys. They've called up never drafted college claim to fame was stand by your pedophile guys. But call up a 1st round, Heisman winning, bring back an 0-4 team (W/SAME DEFENSE, HATERS) to a playoff win, philanthropist, here to help the team, community, & needy kids guy? Whadaryasmokncrak??? DO TELL--why is DeMaurice Smith as the NFLPA rep involving himself in State level politics? Even worse--then, um, 'asking' players to 'sign on'/involve themselves w/same? 'We are in LOCK-STEP with organized labor'?? Yikes--that's more than a little creepy! And WTH did Tebow have to do w/it, i.e., why did 'reporter' (OH-SO loosely) Dave Zirin of The Nation ask Smith if Tim Tebow specificially had fallen into that lock-step like a good soldier re: INDIANA state labor laws? Do-huh?? Yep, cuh-reepy w/a capitol CUH! When you realize you've seen more of Manti Teo's pretend GF on the sidelines than Tebow, you realize--WOW--This league has NO interest in weaving it's fiber, people, 'employees', w/the least bit of moral fiber. Why didn't someone stop Hernandez? B/C no1 REALLY has any interest in stopping/addressing furture-cons in the pros (see: Sat's Heisman 'Award'). DeMaurice Smith can't have it both ways, tho--if he wants to act as tho NFL players are staff/mere employees to advance his own political agendas, well...most legitimate, successful companies base at least SOME value (if not some priority) on character & reputation in regard to staffing. Which is it, De??
Dominic Davies
Expert
I'd have to put Greg Schiano up there, largely thanks to his mishandling of Josh Freeman's departure and the fact that everybody in his club got infected with MRSA.
Chris Chard
Expert
Where was he looking?!? The long snap was right on the bonce! For those who missed it... http://fauxjohnmadden.lockerdome.com/media/110800300
Chris Chard
Expert
Think he opened up a clown college a few years back.....