Tebow

[pbmax]

How quickly we forget Brandon Stokely.

[mraynrand]

How quickly we forget Brandon Stokely.

Gone but not forgotten. Stokely played to win!

[smuggler]

Tebow stands no chance in the NFL at RB. Too tall, not enough vision, not fast enough, not elusive enough. The only things he has going for him are size and strength.

Now, if he were a TE or an H-Back, maybe he could get away with that. You could even give him a few option pitches every now and again. But right now Tebow is winning on the strength of his defense. At this point, he's just not good enough to get it done at this level. 10 points from the offense is objectively bad and it will catch up with the Broncos sooner rather than later.

[gbgary]

Tebow stands no chance in the NFL at RB. Too tall, not enough vision, not fast enough, not elusive enough. The only things he has going for him are size and strength.

Now, if he were a TE or an H-Back, maybe he could get away with that. You could even give him a few option pitches every now and again. But right now Tebow is winning on the strength of his defense. At this point, he's just not good enough to get it done at this level. 10 points from the offense is objectively bad and it will catch up with the Broncos sooner rather than later.

i tossed the TE thought out there a while back too. he'd have to put on a bit more weight maybe...he's tom crabtree's size.

[mraynrand]

I'd like to see Tebow pork out on sausages and play Guard. Just to see it. Like Keith Traylor eating his way from LB to DT.

[George Cumby]

An interesting read on the Tebow phenomenon. A little long but thought-provoking:

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7319858/the-people-hate-tim-tebow

[HarveyWallbangers]

That is worth the read.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I don't like Tebow very much. Russell Wilson, Badger QB, mentions his faith frequently, and I really like him. In many ways, they have similar personalities, they are respectful. Wilson seems like more intelligent and playful guy though, and Tebow seems drone-like. I guess that is why Tebow's Christianity doesn't play as well with me, it fits an old, negative stereotype.

[pbmax]

I like that he identifies a sub-group mostly unmentioned: those who dislike Tebow because they believe his faithful followers attribute his success to God's intervention. But Klosterman is underestimating the number of evangelical Christians who do believe that Tebow's faith and personal relationship with Christ is influencing the game. They may not believe God is raising sprinklers up from the field to trip up the opposing team, but they believe his relationship does help him, personally, succeed and to inspire others. And it is precisely that connection that makes him so beloved by those among his faith tradition. Klostermann covers this a bit by qualifying with "unfairly", but that doesn't really flesh out the cause and effect many see.

The problem with writing about public opinion as distinct groups is that it is reductionist. Its Klostermann Jay-Walking through his mind, questioning theoretical people.

I am not favorably disposed to his expression of faith as I do feel like I am being sold something that is presented as both cause and effect to his success that is transferable to another person.

But I am favorably disposed to the idea that ruling out Tebow's success is a mistake 6 teams have made and many more will. He will win games simply because of the unconventional aspect to that offense. There is more than one way to skin a cat and Tebow is in a position to test that theory. He is big enough to survive running, bigger than Vick and Steve Young (I suspect bigger than SY, perhaps shorter and more compact) and he can make long throws given some time and space. And if the team can run, he will have time and space.

He will also benefit from something S Young did not have, extended QB protection. The QB his style most resembles right now is Randall Cunningham (no, this is not a meta Jordy Nelson commentary). And Cunningham made a lot of hay for the Eagles.

There are two open questions: 1)Can such a style win a title (SYoung doubts it can) and 2) will Elway and Fox commit to that kind of team/offense?

[Guiness]

Good post pb. What do you mean by the sentence that starts with "I am not favorably..." though? I couldn't quite follow it.

[3irty1]

This is just the VY thing all over. Tebow will be a story this year, a big story all offseason, make the cover of madden, but eventually a future version of the Denver Broncos is going to force him to actually be good--and he won't be because he's not. When VY was sucking all over the place, people justified it because of his record and that he somehow had some magic in him.

Maybe not this season but eventually Elway is going to change his quote from "We have no choice but to play him. He wins games." to "We have no choice but to bench him. He sucks."

[Harlan Huckleby]

There are two open questions: 1)Can such a style win a title (SYoung doubts it can) and 2) will Elway and Fox commit to that kind of team/offense?

no and no. Tebow will eventually start getting injuries. That offense can be good enough to win games, but can't possibly match passing masters like Brady, Rodgers & Brees. The defense has to carry the team.

[pbmax]

Good post pb. What do you mean by the sentence that starts with "I am not favorably..." though? I couldn't quite follow it.

I am not comfortable with such consistent expression of thanks and humility after each accomplishment in his public life. I understand that he wishes to acknowledge God's love, wants to remain humble and remind himself that through God his blessings (great and small) flow.

But I do not find such expressions convincing. Rather than simply an expression of love (as he compares it to later in the piece with a theoretical husband and wife) it also must be public witness to his faith. Most couples, even the most devout I know, do not publicly and reflexively acknowledge that love for one another after daily accomplishments. Perhaps more should, but I expect that this sentiment is shared in more private moments.

The point that I take away (and this is just my interpretation) is that it is a sell job about the difference faith and God have made in his life. And that if you too were to put yourself in God's hands, such blessings would flow to you as well. Never displayed for public view are thank yous for failures, of which God is also the author. No doubt, Tebow draws strength from God during the failures as well. But that is not what engenders the public gesture.

In short, a public celebration/thank you for success might be intended to keep one humble, but it also seems to be an advertisement. And advertisers seldom feature struggle as part of the sale. And struggle is at the heart of faith. For me, anyway.

[MadtownPacker]

PBmax is the devil!!

[Packers4Glory]

I hope the kid continues to grow and succeed. why the hell not? there is absolutely no reason to hate the guy. Even if you find the religious beliefs to be annoying, he generally seems like one heck of a human.