Tim Tebow excited to be an Eagle, has no expectation other than to compete

You might know him from winning a Heisman Trophy and National Championship in Florida.Or for his comeback wins with the Broncos. You could remember him from the media circus he brought to New York and New England. You might even know him from Good Morning America and ESPN.

But right now, for all intents and purposes, Tim Tebow is an Eagles quarterback… at least for the summer.

“I was excited to be an Eagle,” Tebow told a hoard of media following OTAsThursday of getting the call to join the Birds, “to get the opportunity to play ball, to play in this offense and to play for an innovative coach.”

Tebow took reps with the third team offense, and though he looked hesitant and uncomfortable at times in the pocket during seven-on-seven drills, he was able to utilize his legs several times just like he has for so many years as a mobile quarterback.

“I am glad to be here,” Tebow said.”It’s been a lot of fun and I have really enjoyed everyone in that locker room and in this building. You go out and you compete and you try and earn whatever you can.”

Always the well-spoken and confident gentleman, Tebow sounded unconcerned with the prospects that he is currently fourth on the depth chart, fighting for a spot on the Eagles’ roster in a position that may only carry three spots. He is fighting against Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchez and Matt Barkley for a spot on the 53-man roster.

“Everybody knows I’ll do whatever I can to help the team but I enjoy playing quarterback and I believe that’s why I am here as well,” he said.

Head coach Chip Kelly certainly seemed to think Tebow was an NFL caliber quarterback, saying his throwing motion has been much improved during his two years out of football.

“Watch him throw,” Kelly said. “He’s spent a lot of time the last two years working on his game.”

The Eagles chose to move last year’s fourth QB, G.J. Kinne, to receiver, leaving a training camp spot for Tebow.

“We wanted to have a fourth quarterback in here,” Kelly said.”We looked at the prospects in the draft and didn’t see a guy we wanted to bring in. … Tim was a guy we wanted to bring in here.”

And even though Tebow hasn’t had the intense competition that NFL football brings along with it, he still has that competitive drive he always has had.

“I still competed,” Tebow said of his time away.”I trained every single day. You should have seen the Tebow Turkey Bowl it was the craziest thing ever.

“When you’re a competitive person, whether that’s training every day, whether it’s playing hoops, whether it’s throwing the ball, whether its’ what I was doing on TV with ESPN and GMA, I enjoyed that and did my best.”