Tim Tebow has proven to have some magic with the football in his hands in the past. Credit: Getty Images
When the Jets traded for quarterback Tim Tebow in March 2012, many pundits laughed at the decision as it gave New York an instant quarterback controversy.
New York sports radio host Mike Francesa chimed, “The Jets want to avoid a circus and then they go and trade for one of the most popular human beings on the planet!?”
When the news broke yesterday that the Patriots had signed Tebow, arguably the biggest lightning-rod in the NFL – it was met with more of a collective shrug by media and fans alike with most reaching the conclusion of, “Ya, maybe it will work out, who knows?”
The question now turns to, where will Tebow play for the Patriots? Here are a few options.
Tight end
Tebow isn’t exactly Jerry Rice in the route-running department, as evidenced by the play last year when Jets QB Mark Sanchez drilled Tebow in the back of the head with a football when the former Florida star attempted to run an out pattern. But Tebow, listed at 6-foot-3, 236 pounds, certainly has the frame.
Running back
For as much flak as Tebow catches these days – remember this: he was one of the greatest collegiate football players of all-time and he did much of his damage with the Gators while running the football. In 2009, Tebow rushed for 910 yards and scored 14 touchdowns on 217 attempts while playing a rugged SEC schedule.
Quarterback
Tebow will never have a Dan Marino-like cannon. He’ll never have Tom Brady’s precision. But he has always proven to be a winner and a leader on the football field. When a story broke last November about several Jets teammates saying that Tebow was a “terrible” on-field quarterback, there were some unlikely players coming to his defense.
“It’s stupidity,” Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie told the New York Daily News at the time. “I mean, he’s on our team. He’s been a great teammate. Guy’s been doing everything we’ve asked him to do. You can’t say too much about him because he’s a guy that’s been a team player.”
It is clear that Tebow needs to learn the intricacies of how to play the quarterback position. What better player in the NFL to learn from than Brady?
Assistant to the assistant coach
Tebow is a leader. He understands football, as far as we know. And offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels apparently still loves him. If the plan is for McDaniels to one day take over for Belichick, perhaps Tebow could be the new McDaniels. One way or another the best bet for Tebow in 2013 is to be on the sidelines … with a clipboard – in some capacity.
