Tebow, the Eagles and speculation
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Tebow, the Eagles and speculation
Jonathan Tamari
Sports coverage is an odd thing: we spend more time debating what might or might not happen next than we do dissecting what actually happened today. And so the morning after college football plays its national championship game we get projections of the next year’s top 25. Never mind that season that just wrapped up.
Same with the Peyton Manning watch. Within hours of its end, we cranked up the Tim Tebow watch. Manning has yet to finalize a contract, but we’ve already got lists of where Tebow may wind up next, and in some reporters’ eyes, he might be a fit in Philadelphia.
“This one makes so much sense to me that there's no way it happens,” wrote Sports Illustrated’s Jim Trotter. “One, Eagles coach Andy Reid is prone to do the unpredictable (see, Michael Vick, 2009; or Vince Young, 2010). Two, Tebow has many of the same qualities as Vick (mobile, left-handed, strong-armed). Three, switching to Tebow from Vick if Vick were to sustain an injury … would not require a major adjustment to play-calling or blocking schemes.”
Let the fevered speculation begin. Rich Hofmann and Sheil Kapadia have already weighed in.
Normally I’m inclined to shoot down talk of such drastic moves, since I think there’s only so many times most organizations can make such a big splash, but ever since the Eagles swooped in to sign Nnamdi Asomugha – after already having two big name cornerbacks on the roster -- I’ve sworn to never rule anything out where the Birds are concerned.
And there are some elements of Tebow to the Eagles that make sense. For one, the team needs a backup quarterback and has plenty of draft picks they could trade. For another, we know that Reid and Marty Mornhinweg love to collect QBs and see themselves as quarterback whisperers (again, see: Vick, Young).
And while some have made the Vick comparison, I think Tebow and Young form a better parallel. Each is an athletic playmaker with shaky mechanics, but each has been labeled a “winner” despite their shortcomings as passers. (Young damaged that reputation in his limited appearances last season, but when he was signed he was touted as a credible backup because he had a winning record in Tennessee). The Eagles believed they could mold him, just as they did Vick, adjusting his throwing platform to help him become a more consistent passer who could still run.
Didn’t work out so well. But that doesn’t mean the Eagles would give up those kind of reclamation projects.
Tebow could also be more than just a backup waiting to play in case of injury. We know how much the Eagles love deceptive play calling. Imagine the possibilities that could be dreamed up by coaches who had Ronnie Brown throw a pass from inside the five yard line and on Kevin Kolb’s first snap as the Eagles starter put Vick at wide receiver (resulting, of course, in an illegal formation penalty). Tebow is athletic and big enough to run, and while his throws are awkward, and you wouldn’t want to see many of them, he showed that he can make plays in a limited role. You don’t think it would cross Reid’s mind to have a traditional backup QB but design a special package for Tebow – much like the quarterback had when he first arrived at Florida?
Of course, it’s possible Mornhinweg and Reid have seen enough of Tebow to believe that his throwing abilities are beyond saving, that there’s no fixing his accuracy and decision-making. In another city, that might not matter, because an owner looking to sell tickets might be drawn to Tebow’s fan appeal. Not in Philadelphia. For one, the Eagles sell out the Linc without needing a glitzy lure and for another Jeffrey Lurie gives Reid a free hand in football decisions. If the coach doesn’t want him, it’s not happening.
Only Reid knows what he really thinks of Tebow, and we know how frequently the coach publicly shares his thoughts on personnel moves.
Me? I wouldn’t do it, and if I had to bet I’d guess Tebow goes elsewhere. The Eagles have one of the most talented collection of offensive skill players in the league. Tebow’s weakness actually throwing the ball would diminish all of them.
Tebow also had his most success when he threw a limited number of passes: In six of his eight winning starts, Tebow attempted fewer than 25 passes while the Broncos defense kept the games close. The Eagles are built in exactly the opposite fashion: throw to get ahead, throw to extend the lead and let your defense play from in front. (Vick tried 30 or more passes in all but two games that he started and finished; the two times he had fewer attempts were blow out wins over the Cowboys and Jets). The Eagles are not equipped for grind-it-out games, and I have a hard time seeing a Tebow-led team even dreaming of outgunning the Packers, Saints or Giants in the NFC playoffs.
Lastly, after the “Dream Team” of 2011, the Eagles would be wise to keep the circus at bay in 2012. Wherever Tebow goes, you’ll have to get not just your popcorn ready, but some cotton candy and lion tamers as well.
But can I rule it out? Not with these Eagles, not when it comes to a quarterback.
It says a lot about the character of Tamari. The Eagles are currently fronted by the most hated man in sports, yet bringing in a hard working, clean cut, distraction who actually has an impressive, winning playoff performance to his credit would be a nuisance? Are you kidding me? If they had them, I'd take 22 Tebows and start collecting Lombardi trophies. The guy gives his all to his team like few others.— jtj06- All of the commenters are making some sense this morning. I honestly wouldn't put it past Andy, but I really don't want the circus. Really don't. I agree with Jeff, Tebow will make Desean, Avant, Celek and Maclin look bad because he can't be accurate. Our offense is based on timing - Tebow's clock is off by 2 seconds. No thanks. We have enough excitement in Philly.— carmendmv
- Good article, and yes the commenters are making sense this morning. I just read Hoffman's article and I'm thinking:"Aren't there ANY stories that make sense here anymore"? How about draft speculation or something like that. Tebow in this system of quick reads, adjusting the formation before the snap, and quick, accurate passes is NOT what Tebow brings to the table. Wildcat, yes, Fullback, yes, but an every down QB? They'd need police around the field and owners box.— bbohannon
- Ahh come on, trade for Tebow. At least he's a good human being and he'll learn with this offense. It's not like they're winning the SB anyway with the scumbag at the helm. Bring him here and put Vick back in his cage where that wild animal belongs.— The Dude Abides
- Bring in Tebow if for no other reason than for some good old fashioned racial discourse.— hunglikeaton
- It's obvious he would choose to sign with Miami, they need a QB, he needs a job. As a pro athlete, if someone gave you more money and a starting position from the get go, would you rather turn it down to go sit on a bench and accept less money. There is a salary cap for a reason and I don't think Tim Tebow will come on the cheap. The guy showed he could win (the ugly way I must add) but nonetheless he will generate some interest. I know Vick is injury prone but that does not guarantee that Tebow will get a chance to play. He is not good fit in our pass happy offense and I rather not watch a football game that is a 3 yards and a could of dust. NO THANK YOU! Save our draft picks!— Canadalovesphilly
- -Pathetic but true!
Bringing Tebow to Philly would create a circus atmosphere – and that is exactly the problem. The only people interested in floating such a ridiculous farce are of course the Philly sports writers, who yearn for a ‘cirque de l'absurde’.
Void of reality they will find a way to insert – DRAMA! More articles on players on our current roster PLEASE.
— Laughingaloud123 - Face it, Tebow already hit his peak. Its all downhill from here. You cant seriously think you can win with him as an option QB. And do you really think he can learn to be as accurate as needed to win it all. I dont and most football people dont. I think belicek just goaded mcdaniels into wasting a first round pick on him or he had other ideas with playing him in other positions. Id join the ranks of wanting ownership and reid gone 100%, Im not fully there yet, but this would seal the deal.— peteike
- I loathe so many people who keep calling Vick an "animal" and all the rest like they know him personally. The question for me is whether we get the turnover prone Vick or the Vick that gives DCs headaches with accurate throws and timely runs? I don't know him and as far as his criminal past, I don't know if it truly changed him or not. But really I don't care. All i care about right now is how is he going to play football. I'll let the judgmental hypocrites cast their opinions about a person they don't know.— ericthered1
Comment removed.- ericthered1: Thank you. Forget these judgemental fools who have no idea. The man has paid his dues to society. My guess is that these jerks have made a lot of mistakes in theuir lives, and then blamed it on somebody else. The man paid his dues. I'm glad that Eagles came in and gave him a second chance.— usedtobefromphilly
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- No to Tebow! The guys has every intangible imaginable but can't throw the football.... wait ... the Eagles will probably bring him in!!— ChangeISNeeded
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- No Tebow, PLEASE! No desire to have this moderately talented, bible-humping blowhard in town.— Jabey
