It was a week or so before the NFL draft, and guess who was the most talked about quarterback?
Jameis Winston? Marcus Mariota? Some obscure gunslinger from a Division III school in New Hampshire?
No, Tim Tebow.
The announcement that Tebow had signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles sent the NFL’s 24/7/365 news cycle into a frenzy.
American football’s closest thing to Kim Kardashian is back, and once again he has fans and the media scratching their heads.
What is Chip Kelly up to? Why would the Eagles sign a guy who can’t throw? Hasn’t Mark Sanchez been through enough drama with Tebow already?
Jay Feely, a kicker – yes, a guy who’s only job is to kick a football – went on national television and told Jim Rome that Tebow was the worst NFL quarterback he’s ever seen.
On the flip side, entire essays were written about how the signing was a brilliant proactive move in preparation for the NFL’s upcoming changes to the extra point.
So what’s the real deal?
It’s April. That’s the real deal.
There are at least three months to go before anyone has to worry about whether or not Tebow will be putting on a green, white and black uniform and actually playing a regular-season game.
At this point, the ex-Heisman Trophy winner is just another arm brought in to throw balls to Philly’s wideouts in the off-season. If you check the team’s depth chart, Tebow is listed fourth behind Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchez and Matt Barkley.
He’s just ahead of a guy named GJ Kinne. Just FYI, that’s not the Kinne guy who has a comedy show on 7Mate.
In other words, Tebow is being given a chance to make the roster. That’s all. Just like Jarryd Hayne and hundreds of other players signed in the past couple of months.
This is a far cry from the Tim Tebow who became a cult hero and fan favourite after salvaging the Denver Broncos’ season in 2011.
It’s a long, long way from the Tim Tebow who created a media circus after being traded to the New York Jets and disrupting a fragile locker room that included the aforementioned Sanchez.
Furthermore, he wasn’t signed to save the franchise or to boost season ticket sales. The Eagles are coming off a 10-6 season in which they narrowly missed out on a playoff spot. They played in front of sellouts of nearly 70,000 fans every week.
No, this is a different time and if you listen to what the Eagles’ player personnel people say, a different Tebow. They say his mechanics have changed and he looks far better than the last time he was in an NFL camp, which was with the Patriots in 2013.
The signing fits in with the M.O. of head coach Chip Kelly, who has been wheeling and dealing in the offseason. He’s already traded star running back LeSean McCoy and one-time starting quarterback Nick Foles.
Unlike a number of NFL players, Tebow is a decent human being who by all accounts is a hard worker and a good teammate. It’s unlikely that a fourth string quarterback signed in April is going to affect team chemistry in September.
On the other hand, few see Tebow as an ordinary player, and for a number of reasons he incites irrational responses from many in and around NFL circles.
The fact that he’s a high-profile Christian bothers some. Never mind that Tebow grew up with missionary parents and gives his time and money to various causes, he’s still lumped in with the “I want to thank God for helping me catch that 20-yard post-corner touchdown” crowd.
His quarterbacking ability – or lack thereof – is also a talking point, especially when he continues to get opportunities with new clubs.
But Tebow is a very good athlete and a guy who is comfortable on the big stage. If indeed his throwing mechanics have improved, he’d make a handy third quarterback to have around.
Keep in mind, after injuries to Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton last season, Arizona chose to sign and bring in free agent Ryan Lindley rather than start rookie third stringer Logan Thomas.
But let’s not worry about the details – including the two-point conversion conspiracy theories – right now.
The regular season is a long way away and if you think Tebow is going to destroy the 2015 Philadelphia Eagles, then you’ve got plenty of time to get worked up about it.
AussieBokkie
Guest
Let's not forget the guy is a Hiesman Trophy winner and led a very successful Florida college team through an unbelievable purple patch. He clearly has skills, talent and leadership. That aside he is a QB flop, no ifs ands or buts. But he is worthy of a roster spot if he can adapt to a new position like special teams blocker or fullback.
AussieBokkie
Guest
Why is no one talking about Tebow playing as a fullback? He absolutely has to let go of any hope of playing QB, but I think he could make a handy fullback given his experience playing under centre.
Andrew Kitchener
Roar Guru
The worst part of the Tebow signing? ESPN going Tebow-mad again. They do some things well - actual game broadcasts and the 30 for 30 series - but they do some things - Tebow, First Take etc. - horribly.
Chop
Roar Guru
Tebow is a competitor and he's a winner, in his time in Denver, he looked horrible but just kept winning. I think the media should take a big chunk of responsibility for him not being in the league. If there wasn't such a fuss made over him he'd be starting somewhere. He's better than at least 25% of the starters and probably 50% of the backups in the league at the moment. My guess is Chip Kelly is going to use him in another position, he's a big dude and could play TE or FB.
Brando Connor
Guest
Its good news that he has fixed the technical problems with his throwing. But if I recall he wasn't so good at reading a defence. In College he could pretty much run over anyone if he first receiver was open. I would have liked to see him take a year in CFL to work on that too. He has a dream to play in the NFL and has worked hard to get there so good luck to him.
Jack Rapt
Guest
Tebow fans will always be a vocal group cheering him on and supporting Tim every step of the way. It's silly that the naysayers want us to just go over in a corner and remain silent. NOT GONNA HAPPEN!
Jack Rapt
Guest
Nothing weird about it. Chip Kelly has in Tim Tebow possibly the biggest "star" in the league who he was able to obtain for league minimum and no guarantee. It's a minimal investment that could potentially deliver huge dividends IF Tim Tebow has, indeed, made big improvements in his game. Mariotta may be overhyped.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
That's the thing when you sign Tebow, you get the accompanied media circus which owners & GM's might like but not necessarily the coach. Not the case with Chip Kelly as he is no shrinking violet, this will be really interesting to see how it plays out. All four Iggles QBs have some symmetry. Barkeley succeeded Sanchez at USC, Tebow and Sanchez were team mates at the Jets while Bradford and Tebow were Heisman rivals and played each other in the 2009 BSC Final.
Ed Wyatt
Expert
Ned: well said. The Tebow fanatics (and some of the media outlets that follow him around like he's Taylor Swift) certainly do harm to a guy who is by all accounts a good person and a good teammate.
Ned Balme
Roar Guru
Here's to hoping the Tebow fanatics have learned from previous mistakes and will steer well clear of any Eagles training camp, and remain under wraps if Bradford/Sanchez falter. His resume suggests that he belongs in the league. Throwing style aside. There are many quarterbacks with significantly worse track records whom have a "prototypical throwing style" and are little to no real chance to help their team win. Just ask the Cardinals with Ryan Lindley. Tebow is a flawed quarterback prospect with running ability and provides off the charts intangibles. He deserves to be in the league. But most importantly his die hard fans need to recognize that they are doing more harm than good in their fandom and that a stellar college career offers nothing in the NFL.
Ed Wyatt
Expert
Josh: I love this comment. Too often we look for the negatives. This will be fun to watch. The naysayers may yet have their day...or Tebow may be resurrected (no pun intended...ok, maybe a little).
josh
Roar Rookie
In this serious world of sport sometimes you need to remember; sport is fun. This is fun.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Interesting signing to be sure, hope the guy can make it as he is a heck of a competitor. I thought his best option to remain in the NFL would be as a fullback / H back type.
Anto
Guest
Tebow's worked very hard the past couple of years to correct his throwing deficits. So far, Chip Kelly & Co at the Eagles are the only ones to test out the improvement, and guess what? They signed him. I'll reserve judgment until I see for myself what's changed.
Jack Rapt
Guest
If Tim Tebow were, indeed, a "joke"...i'm pretty sure that Chip Kelly would be wasting his time on him at the moment.
Jack Rapt
Guest
Never mind that Tim Tebow, stats be damned, or the fact that he's been out of the NFL for two years be damned, has more success in his only season as starter in the NFL then over half of the other starters currently in the NFL. Tim is a born winner, one who has always one more games and he's lost his entire football career. How many quarterbacks in the NFL currently can say that about their entire career? I make no mistake about it, Tim Tebow is back. He didn't get signed it to the Eagles by Chip Kelly to be some sort of fourth string arm for practice. Tim will earn his place on the team,.
PGNEWC
Guest
Ed it is very puzzling whats going on in Chip Kellys mind. re Quarter Backs. I have read that he would dearly love to link up again with Mariota (aren't a lot of his roster ex Ducks) and some teams with higher picks in the draft have indicated that they will pass on him. If this is so what was the Kansas City Deal all about and now Tebow ? Weird???
Constance
Roar Pro
I'm sorry Tim is the biggest joke I've seen in professional sport years, I don't want to go all out and say the guy has no talent. The only reason I can think off for signing is the amount of hype he generate and the hope that will translate into ticket and merchandise sale