Tebow

[HarveyWallbangers]

I don't think there are many Christians (like myself) who think God is pulling strings to allow Tebow to pull out these victories. But I do think that Tebow's faith plays a part in his success. There's a calm reassurance when you have your faith to fall back on. Knowing there are bigger things out there--which in my experience tends to minimize the external pressure that one feels.

PB's take on Tebow's approach to expressing his faith reminds me of the attitude of many Christians that I know who went to church 20-30 years ago or who go to churches that pastor in the old school ways. Growing up... that kind of faith made me disinterested in church. It didn't drive me away from Christianity, but it always left me striving to find a church where I felt more emotionally connected. It was go to church, hear the same sermons, sing the same hymns, don't show any emotion, leave, and feel little connection. You almost felt embarrassed outwardly expressing your faith. People from those churches (including me initially) have a hard time adapting to the new school approach that I now like--where you aren't embarrassed to raise your hands in church, sing loud, and sing proud. It takes getting used to.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Tebow is likely to find future failures on the football field, but his faith seems entirely believable to me. In the grand scheme of things, I don't think it will matter that much to him. I hope he beats the odds and develops as a passer.

[Upnorth]

I think of tebow like trent dilfer. Manages the game and does not turm it over. Keeps the defence rested and does not give them a short field to defend. He is a very efficient short range qb that kills clock (his runs are like very short high percentage passes). Well rested defence makes big plays in the fourth. All the runs wear down the opposing d for the fourth. Its old school 3 yrds and a cloud of dust grinding football.

His only loss is the only time they lost the turnover battle. Maybe I am over simplifying and sorry if I stole someones idea (I did not read the whole thread), but this is my opinion. Tebow is an awesome game manager.

[George Cumby]

I don't like or dislike the guy, I don't have enough data to form an opinion. But I am interested in how polarizing he is. From the one interview I have seen of him, he seems like a very nice, sincere young man. I would hope my daughter brings home a boy like him (in about 18 years).

That being said, whenever an athlete (or any public figure, for that matter) repeatedly speaks of their faith and their relationship with God, well, I hink up a little. Maybe it's similar to PB's "you're trying to sell me something" vibe or perhaps I just view faith as a personal thing.

I forget where I saw this, on this board or elsewhere, but ARod got asked about his faith, and his response was classically understated and modest. It left you with the clear impression that ARod is a man of Faith, but just doesn't feel the need to share it every time he wins a game or a camera gets shoved in his face.

Man, I love our QB.....

[HarveyWallbangers]

I cringe when athletes say the standard "I think God for giving me this gift" type stuff, but Tebow sounds sincere. Like Greg Jennings and Aaron Kampman before him.

[channtheman]

I think a lot of what annoys people about Tebow (in addition to his outspoken faith) is that he never falls into the trap and answers a question in a way that gives anyone fuel to hate him for a legitimate reason. I remember after the Broncos beat the Jets on Thursday Night Football all of the NFL Network panelists were asking him questions about John Fox and his remarks about how Tebow would be "screwed" in a pro style offense. Tebow just kept on saying over and over how great his coach was. I haven't seen other instances except for a small sliver of another press conference and he was pretty much the same way, just continually talking about how great his coaching staff was.

[Joemailman]

I think a lot of what annoys people about Tebow (in addition to his outspoken faith) is that he never falls into the trap and answers a question in a way that gives anyone fuel to hate him for a legitimate reason. I remember after the Broncos beat the Jets on Thursday Night Football all of the NFL Network panelists were asking him questions about John Fox and his remarks about how Tebow would be "screwed" in a pro style offense. Tebow just kept on saying over and over how great his coach was. I haven't seen other instances except for a small sliver of another press conference and he was pretty much the same way, just continually talking about how great his coaching staff was.

So...people hate him because he never says anything to give them a legitimate reason to hate him?

I'm starting to think a bit like Harvey. I think people hate him because he expresses his faith 24/7, instead of for 1 hour a week in church like many of them do.

[Smeefers]

So...people hate him because he never says anything to give them a legitimate reason to hate him?

I'm starting to think a bit like Harvey. I think people hate him because he expresses his faith 24/7, instead of for 1 hour a week in church like many of them do.

That sounds about right to me. Extremely vocal religious types get annoying. Quickly. It's why in Bar's you don't talk religion or politics. Tebow brings the topic into bars just by being on TV and playing football. He makes everyone anxious, whether you agree that he's awesome or not. If I'm by myself, I don't give a crap about his faith, I want to see how the kid plays. When you're in a public setting, it always gets tossed back to the god thing and that pisses people off, because it shouldn't be about the god thing. It should be about the football thing.

Her: "Frank did okay yesterday with my account."
Him: "Frank in accounting is like, super catholic. It's why he does so super good at accounting."
Her: "No! it's not! He does semi-passible accounting because he's worked hard at being an accountant. He just also happens to be super catholic."
Him: "Whateves. You hate god."
Her: "Sigh."

[MadtownPacker]

If MFers can be all about bringin attention to bling or bitches or charity or reality shows or anything I dont see why anyone would hate on Tebow. Yeah he aint impressive at QB but he must be impressive as a human being if he has his teammates believing in him. Until he gets a penalty on the field for praying (never know) I dont see it as any problem.

[Harlan Huckleby]

repent, sinner

[pbmax]

So...people hate him because he never says anything to give them a legitimate reason to hate him?

I'm starting to think a bit like Harvey. I think people hate him because he expresses his faith 24/7, instead of for 1 hour a week in church like many of them do.

(Yeah, its a long post. Apologies to all.)

I am sure there are people who are put off primarily by that, but there are other, more prosaic football reasons to doubt him. And I think that doubt, when expressed in opposition to his fanbase's belief in him, can easily and unfortunately turn quite nasty.

Most football people are used to being wrong, but they are not used to being wrong in opposition to a large segment of a vocal public.

This happens all the time with local college players in the NFL. Madison radio is populated by people who cannot fathom that Kevin Stemke did not make a solid pro punter. They are so convinced that this should have happened that they think the coaching at the Pro Level is lacking and may be inferior to major college programs. Because "something" must have gone wrong. The same dynamic works on local players who do well (Chris Chambers) and weren't drafted by the local Pro team. Thompson still gets questions about that and drafting Wisconsin players in general.

Tebow was in the same spot where most pros doubted his ability to succeed at an NFL level. That doubt existed for two good reasons, his throwing mechanics and the fact that to succeed, an offense might need to be constructed for him. It might have ended there had he been drafted in the 3-5th rounds like many were predicting. But McDaniels liked him and drafted him in Round 1 which focused media attention on him and raised his supporters hopes.

The Fox and Elway come along and another wave of doubt creeps in that a new football regime will be willing to spend its time on someone else's risk. When fan demands and practical considerations about what to do in the future with the QB position virtually force them to start him, he succeeds. And his success and method are not conventional, so there is still room for doubt, though that doubt now looks a little foolish compared to his Win Loss numbers.

So now everyone has new ammunition (especially his supporters) and the arguments are raised to a fever pitch. But nothing has really changed.

Tebow is not now, nor likely will ever be a conventional NFL QB. And the last running QB offense to win an NFL championship was probably in the 40s or early 50s. He will need an offense constructed around him and tailored to his strengths rather than weaknesses. That will take changing the culture of a front office, scouts and coaches on the offensive side of the ball. It would be a huge challenge for an established spread coach to implement in the pros and win the front office to his side. The closest thing the Broncos have to this is John Fox's love of running the ball.

Its a huge commitment to make for one player. People who pay little attention to pro football except when local boy does good cannot conceive how it could fail. But it could fail for a dozen reasons, none of which are a lack of appreciation for Tebow's faith. The reason it might never happen has to do more with a lack of faith in his talent.

I think such an offense can succeed and Tebow might be very suited to run it. But its easy for me to say from my keyboard. My job is not on the line like Elway and Fox. My paycheck is not on the line if such a Tebow offense doesn't succeed.

[pbmax]

If MFers can be all about bringin attention to bling or bitches or charity or reality shows or anything I dont see why anyone would hate on Tebow. Yeah he aint impressive at QB but he must be impressive as a human being if he has his teammates believing in him. Until he gets a penalty on the field for praying (never know) I dont see it as any problem.

Its precisely like that. People don't like what they are not comfortable with. There are many football fans who would love to see bling and bitches and reality shows disappear from their life.

[MJZiggy]

I'm not sure this is centered around religion even if it appears to be. Fact of the matter is that Tebow was not "supposed" to succeed. As Max said, he was supposed to be middle round talent, and yet here he is and he's winning games and he's not "supposed" to be. He's a vocal Christian so many can use this as an excuse to not like him for whatever reason they can identify for it to make them uncomfortable. Me, I don't care one way or another. I didn't care when Reggie was a vocal Christian, when he praised God for healing his injuries quickly, or holding prayer circles before and after games. It was expected and his on-field performance somehow justified it. Apparently, Tebow's somehow does not. My only annoyance is the difficulty in getting away from it and from him. If they'd say their piece and shut up about it, I'd be perfectly fine because I don't watch everything he says and does.

That said, the article was a work of art.

[Freak Out]

Lol @ the Bears.

[MadtownPacker]

PB- You can not like Tebow for any reason you like but you have to love him for beating(helping beat?) da bears!