Early Birds: Making sense of the Tim Tebow signing
The Eagles begin their offseason program on Monday. The big news is that Tim Tebow will join the team. Because it's Tebow, this has become a national headline. But here's some context for what is essentially a low-risk move:
1) The Eagles carried five quarterbacks on their roster through the spring and summer of 2013. They had four last season, and needed to use an assistant coach in drills at times. So adding another quarterback option is certainly not abnormal, given Chip Kelly's practices this time of year. Also, Sam Bradford's rehab schedule means he might not be a full participant during OTAs and mini-camps. That's one fewer quarterback for drills, so it makes even more sense for the Eagles to add a quarterback
It's fair to argue Tebow is not the best quarterback they could have brought in, but street free agents are not often attractive options in late April. The best one on the market is probably Michael Vick. The Eagles could find a more intriguing option in two weeks during the draft or with an undrafted free agent. Perhaps they go that route. At that point, they could either release Tebow or keep that quarterback until Bradford is healthy. But with the roster limit at 90, the Eagles have flexibility.
2) Beyond the spring and summer, it's reasonable to wonder whether Tebow has a realistic chance of making the roster. Don't rule it out entirely based on Tebow's struggles as a passer.
Matt Barkley, who has spent the past two seasons as the No. 3 quarterback, is not a lock to make the roster. He'll need to hold off Tebow and G.J. Kinne. Barkley should be a better quarterback than both, but after two seasons, the Eagles are no closer to knowing what they have in him. Then again, he didn't have much of a shot last season. (As a side note, this is one reason I said Kelly should have played Barkley in Week 17 last season. They would have a better idea of Barkley's ability had he played. And if he played well, perhaps he would have a bit more trade value this offseason.)
Whether that spot is an open competition depends on what the Eagles do in the draft. If they were to select a quarterback in the first four rounds, then that quarterback would be on the roster next season. If the Eagles don't draft a quarterback, Tebow has a better chance.
3) The final part to consider with Tebow is versatility. Don't expect him to make a roster, or even be a consideration for the roster, if he's not an option at quarterback. The No. 3 quarterback is seldom active on gameday, so the other parts of Tebow's game cannot be what determines whether he beats out the other quarterbacks. But Tebow can be an intriguing exception if he's on the team. Tebow's ability to be a short-yardage rusher or an H-back won't hurt. Kelly always says that with a limited number of spots available, he wants to know what else a player can do.
If Tebow can be an emergency tight end or even find a role on special teams, that could cross Kelly's mind when putting together the game day roster. If the NFL moves two-point conversions to the one-yard line in May, then Tebow's short-yardage running ability could help the Eagles in those situations.
It's hard to know what Tebow can do until he's in camp, and we won't know what Kelly's thinking until he answers questions about Tebow. It will ultimately be up to Tebow to show he's more than just an extra spring/summer arm, but he'll likely have the chance to do so.
As for the "circus" that Tebow brings with him, I wouldn't overstate it. Tebow knows how to deal with the media attention. So do the Eagles. And Kelly? He doesn't care much about that.
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Some quick info on the offseason program: This lasts through June 18, and is split into three phases.
In phase one, players can only work on the field with the strength and conditioning staff, and they cannot wear helmets. In phase two, players can work with coaches and there can be individual drills and instruction, but no offense vs. defense or contact. In phase three, there can be team drills, but no live contact.
So Kelly will not be on the field coaching Tebow this week, for those wondering.