The face of an NFL franchise is the signal-caller, the player responsible for leading game-winning drives, carving defenses, and hoisting Super Bowls.
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
The New England Patriots were fortunate when they landed Tom Brady with the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. Yes, 198 players were selected ahead of a three-time Super Bowl winning quarterback and arguably one of the best to ever put on a helmet. At the time Brady wasn’t asked to lead the team, he wasn’t even considered a third-string quarterback on the Patriots depth chart. Thanks to a relentless work ethic, a large chip on his shoulder, and a concussion to then-starter Drew Bledsoe and the rest is history. Since his inception as starter, Brady has been fortunate to avoid serious injury. But, in the 2008 season, the first game against the Kansas City Chiefs, safety Bernard Pollard hit the Michigan product below the knee causing Brady to drop to the ground in dire pain. His ACL was torn and his season was done.
Matt Cassel, a seventh round pick out of the University of Southern California, took over the helm and led the Patriots to an 11-5 record though it was not enough for a playoff spot.
The logic here is to always have a plan B and the Patriots made sure to not ignore the past.
Broken by ESPN’s Ed Werder, the Patriots have announced the signing of quarterback Tim Tebow. One of the best to ever play college football, Tebow spent a miserable 2012 campaign playing for the closest thing to a circus in the NFL, the New York Jets. Brought in to contribute and push Mark Sanchez, Tebow was misused and the media surrounded the Jets’ facility day and night to talk to the oft-criticized southpaw. Tebow was released in April after only one season in NY while throwing only eight-passes.
The legend of Tebow, in terms of his NFL legacy began in the 2011 season.
As the backup to start the season, the Broncos got off to a sluggish 1-4 record. Tebow relieved the starter Kyle Orton to start the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers. Down 16-points, Tebow couldn’t deliver a win but he did fight back and get the Broncos within five-points. The Broncos were revived with the emergence of Tebow and rattled off a 7-4 record and a remarkable overtime win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in which Tebow delivered a strike to Demaryius Thomas as the wideout ran for an 80-yard touchdown and most importantly a 29-23 win in the AFC wild-card game.
Tebow’s one of the most criticized players in the game but there’s a portion of the criticism that is accurate. His accuracy needs a lot of work, same of his footwork. But, what he lacks in the technical department he more than makes up for with his passion and love of the sport. While in Denver, Tebow delivered many late-game heroics while also leaving you scratching your head. The routine throws seem to be a challenge at times and many coordinators wonder if the Florida product is capable of taking the snap under center.
With the tutelage of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, Tebow will be provided the leadership he’s lacked since entering the league as a first round pick. His previous two head coaches did not invest the trust and time needed for a player to flourish. Also, Robert Kraft, the owner of the Patriots, is widely revered and has always treated his players with the utmost respect.
Courtesy: Washington Post
Looking back, this partnership isn’t surprising. Belichick has publicly supported and complimented Tebow dating back to his days with the Gators. At the NFL owners meeting in 2010, four weeks before the draft, Belichick said, “My sense of Tim Tebow is that if you asked him to play nose, he’d play nose. I think he’s the kind of kid, where whatever you ask him to do he’ll do. I don’t know what a team will do with him, but I think he’s a real interesting player.” Belichick has been viewed as a mastermind since his inception with the Patriots and he’s had his fair share of projects in New England including: Corey Dillon, Randy Moss, and Chad Ochocinco.
This most recent project however has something the previous three did not bring to the table, a work-first attitude and team-first attitude. If it’s holding the clipboard or running special packages, Tebow will welcome the opportunity to play for a champion and a coach who will do right by his player which is something he hasn’t experienced since his days with Urban Meyer.
Right as the critics proclaimed that Tebow was finished as an NFL quarterback, someone took a flyer on him. He will not be suiting up in the CFL or becoming a preacher, he will continue working on his dream of being an NFL starting quarterback. The opportunity in New England could be his last, but, I do not foresee the lefty allowing this opportunity to pass him by.
