Posted on 01/26/2010 11:25:08 AM PST by GauchoUSA
I think the Vince Young analogy/comparison is a good one for another reason. Young struggled not so much with his mechanics or physical skillset, but because of his emotional state or attitude, something that Tebow won't suffer from. Young was a headcase who showed ZERO leadership skills, and it wasn't until he rode the pine for a season and a half, did he mature to the level that he needed to be successful. Tebow is mature well past his years. That will benefit him.
I think Tebow will go in the late second or early third round. He’s so intriguing that someone is bound to take a flyer on him even if there is no earthly way of knowing if he can play QB in the NFL.
The comparisons to Vick and Young don’t work here. Vick had better throwing mechanics and Young had a better arm. Plus both were simply otherworldly scramblers.
Tebow has a ton of rushing yards and rushing TDs but the majority of those can on design dive plays. He was essentially the fullback in the UF offense. It was the same kind of system that Young and McCoy ran at Texas except UT attacked the edge with its QBs, while UF attacked the middle of the line. Tebow is probably the only college QB in history that could run the plays he ran.
Still, you aren’t going to get rich in the NFL if you keep running your QB over the guard. Eventually London Fletcher is going to decapitate him.
Young’s throwing motion is poor but the rest of his mechanics were generally ok. He can do a seven step drop. There is nothing fluid at all about Tebow’s mechanics.
Not to sound like a baseball manager in 1972, but Tebow is too big and bulky to really get the fluid motion you want. So much of the NFL passing game is predicated on timing patterns now that the QB has to be follow a perfect rhythm. “One, two, three...throw....”
And Tebow does not bring the running dimension that Young brings. There’s not a linebacker in the NFL that he can out-run.
There’s a reason that Colt McCoy can come from a similar system and be considered a much better prospect. Still, it should be pointed out that a spread QB has yet to transition to the NFL. Young is the closest thing to a success story there is.
You cannot follow college football and not be impressed with Tebow. He is one of the best COLLEGE quarterbacks ever and seems to be a class individual. That said, he was surrounded by an insane amount of talent at Florida, with all sorts of weapons at his disposal: great offensive line giving him time to survey the field, speed at running back and wide receivers, the total package.
Ever since he became a force in the college game, his skills, and pro quarterback potential, have been analyzed by pro scouts. While his intangibles and leadership are off the charts, there are some definite downsides to his future in the NFL. He does not have good throwing mechanics, and his arm strength is NFL marginal quality. An NFL secondary will pick him clean due to that. Read what the scouts have been saying for years.
I think Colt McCoy is only somewhat better as a pro. If Bradford is healthy, he will go much higher than McCoy or Tebow. The NFL likes guys like Mathew Stafford, Elway, and Marino who can make all the throws.
I agree that Tebow has a tremendous amount of work to do, and ability to prove. Not the least of which is having very little experience in working through progressions, as all successful NFL QB's must do today. And, while Tebow's mechanics aren't very fluid or elegant, I think that can be overcome. Remember Payton Manning's "happy feet" at the beginning of his career. He still has those "happy feet" but it hasn't inhibited his success.
Tebow's greatest strength lies in what can't be taught - poise and leadership. I think if he can prove to coaches that he can read NFL defenses and that he can drop back and in rhythm, then he'll have at least an opportunity to succeed at the next level.
I would love to snag C. J. Spiller, RB out of Clemson, at #13. Gore is great but two great RBs could really help out Alex Smith.
For pick 16 or 17, I'm with you: we need a good right tackle. Should be plenty to choose from at that stage of the first round.
Fly
Tebow is better suited as an HB, like Chris Cooley.
Or a backup TE.
Or a safety.
A TMQ student I see!
I’ll buy that.
So, make him a running back. I remember some unnamed scouts had complaints about Vince Young at the Combines as well.
Gurus, pundits and writers have been wrong more times than right,I think.
Interesting story here about Pat Fischer”The Mouse” especially about him getting punched by Roger “The Dodger” Staubach. 15 yard penalty on Roger. Played twice his size!
http://www.extremeskins.com/showthread.php?t=98336
I’m a fan of The U since the late forties and remember “The Florida Flop” so sc—w the Gators. But wish Tebow well!
You wouldn’t believe the number of people on sports forums who think Tebow is gay.
Trying to predict who will be standouts in the NFL is more a guessing game than anything. As most said, being a stellar college player doesn't necessarily translate to success in the NFL. But Tebow has the intangibles that the majority of other players don't- leadership, drive, and passion for the game. Those are things that can't be taught, and certainly can't be bought with a big contract.
Tebow is so good in his own way, perhaps a team should consider adapting to him rather than the other way around.
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