The Tim Tebow Experiment

With tongue firmly inserted in cheek..."I think the Broncos have figured out how to effectively use Tim Tebow."  They are leading Kansas City on the road, 10-0 at halftime.

ESPN Halftime Stats:  He was 0-1, but aired it out a few times right before the half.

The Broncos did not draft Tebow in the first round to not be their starting quarterback.  However, that was the mistake of the previous administration.  Now, they are creating a difficult situation by playing Tim Tebow - and winning.  The situation will be when they pull the plug and replace him with a conventional quarterback.

If I am running an NFL team, Tim Tebow is not my starting quarterback.  When he was eligible to be drafted, I said I would have no problem if the Patriots used one of their three 2nd round picks on him (turned out being a non-issue).  But that would not have been to be the starting QB in New England. We have a guy named Tom Brady.  I would have used him as a tight end, H-back, fullback, Wildcat QB, special teams player.  He is a good enough player, athlete, and winner to get on the field.

The Broncos are 2-1, perhaps soon to be 3-1, in games Tebow has started this season.  Meanwhile, Kyle Orton, proven yet ineffective this season, sits on the bench.  Now they can't say "we played him, we lost, we're moving on".

I want a quarterback who is fundamentally sound in the pocket.  A quarterback who drops back and passes; has presence inside the pocket and the ability to escape the rush.  A quarterback who will throw it into the bench if the blitz gets through or his receivers are covered.  Mobility is an asset (think Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger), but I don't want them executing designed runs or taking off down the field on a regular basis.  When they roll out, I still want them to think pass first.

I'm not sure it helped that when Tebow was named the starter, the team traded their best wide receiver, Brandon Lloyd.  I don't know the details, but I can only imagine Lloyd jumping for joy.  No quality free agent wide receiver will consider Denver with this style of play, so they will be limited to players they draft and lesser veterans.  I imagine the same is true for offensive linemen.  If I had a choice, I would play elsewhere.   

One of the biggest concerns with this style is injuries.  If he keeps running and keeps getting sacked, a 300 pound defensive lineman is going to roll up on his ankle or knee and he is going to be injured.  That just might be how this experiment ends.  Today, it just so happened the injuries are to running backs Willis McGahee and Knowshon Moreno.  Eventually it will be Tebow.  (see Michael Vick, 2003 Atlanta Falcons).

(UPDATE: Tebow is 1-7 for 13 yards.  10-7 Broncos.  End of 3rd Quarter.)

Sure, Tim Tebow is a great guy, a great role model, and sells a lot of merchandise. Should he have been openly mocked by the Detroit Lions? NO - that was extremely poor sportsmanship.

(UPDATE: Tim Tebow 56 yard touchdown pass to Eric Decker. Denver 17 Kansas City 7.  Tebow hasn't been sacked today.)

Final Stats: Denver 17 Kansas City 10. 

Final Score: Denver 17  Kansas City 10


I am undeterred.

Tim Tebow ran the ball nine times and completed two passes.

The Broncos would be the best team in the NFL - if they were transported back in time to 1936.  They will not be more than a gimmick, or a mediocre-average team as long as they play this type of game with Tim Tebow as their quarterback.

As long as the Broncos continue the Tim Tebow Experiment, and as long as they keep winning, they are damaging the franchise for the long term.  They are delaying the transition back to a normal offense.

In the short term, we'll see what happens when they play the Jets Thursday, and the Patriots in December.