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First of all, the purpose of this article is not to critique Tim Tebow’s throwing mechanics or his ability as a quarterback. We haven’t even been able to see what Tebow can really do as a passer over a full season and it doesn’t seem like that opportunity will show itself again anytime soon, after being released by the New England Patriots. The only thing we can truly critique him on now is his attitude and his ability to evolve his skills in order to make it on an NFL roster.
His lackluster showing in the preseason displayed his inability to progress as a passer and leaves him without a team going into the NFL’s season opener Thursday night. His short stint in New England highlights Tebow’s fatal flaw: his inability to help his team from beyond the quarterback position and his ineptitude at finding a role on a team in which he is not the sole leader. Tebow’s ego about changing positions will keep him from making a career in the NFL. It seems for now that God’s quarterback has a different plan written for him in the stars and it doesn’t involve playing quarterback in the NFL this season.
Rumor has it that the Jets were actively shopping Tebow early this offseason and there were teams interested in trading for him- just not as a quarterback. Those trades could’ve happened if Tim Tebow wasn’t so dead-set on being a franchise quarterback. There have also been reported teams still contacting him about coming in to play another position; he declined all offers.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
There’s no doubt that Tebow has an ego about playing quarterback in the NFL as evidenced by his Patriots farewell tweet:
I would like to thank Mr. Kraft, Coach Belichick, Coach McDaniels and the entire Patriots organization for giving me the opportunity…
…to be a part of such a classy organization. I pray for nothing but the best for you all. I will remain in relentless pursuit…
…of continuing my lifelong dream of being an NFL quarterback. 2 Corinthians 12:9: And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient…
Let’s break this down: Tebow doesn’t just want to play for an NFL team, he wants the chance to play quarterback in the NFL again. Don’t get me wrong, he has the character and leadership skills needed of a franchise NFL quarterback, but for as selfless as he seems to be in his private and public life, his insistence on playing quarterback in his professional life. Even when the best coaches doubt his skills, comes off as self-righteous. For all the praise that is showered on him as being a winner, it seems like Tebow is only willing to win if it means being the franchise quarterback. More importantly, it seems like Tebow’s skills can only be utilized when he is the sole leader of his team; something he was not able to showcase in New England with Tom Brady firmly holding that position or with the rudderless New York Jets. A truly selfless player would help his team win playing whatever position and taking on whatever role was asked of him. This is something Tebow has refused to do in favor of maintaining his career path as a quarterback.
There have been several successful college quarterbacks that have changed positions in the NFL: Antwan Randle El, Michael Robinson and even rookie Denard Robinson this year. These players were willing to suck up their pride in order to make an NFL roster. When Terrelle Pryor (who happens to be the Raiders week one starter this season) was drafted, he was quoted as saying “I would like the opportunity to play quarterback, but I’ll do anything that the team needs me to do to win.” Tebow has never said anything like that. He has said he likes to win. He has said he wants to play quarterback. But he has never said he would do anything to help his team win beyond playing quarterback. The brand of Tim Tebow is firmly cemented in being an NFL quarterback rather than being an NFL player and with that stubbornness comes the reality that Tebow is not the kind of teammate NFL franchises want on their roster.
It’s not even clear what position Tebow could’ve switched to in order to stay in the NFL. After all, his entire childhood and adult life have been spent grooming his skills at one position. You can’t can’t blame him for sticking to what he knows, but when professionals tell you your skills won’t cut it; it’s time to make some changes. There’s no doubt Tebow would be more attractive to NFL teams if he developed a wider range of skills. It has only improved the careers of other former quarterbacks. We can criticize Tebow’s throwing motion as the reason he can’t make it as a quarterback, but it’s his ego that is preventing him from making it as an NFL player.
