FanPost

How the MSM helped the Denver Broncos: Really...how bad are Tim Tebow's mechanics?

Hi Y'All!

Well, I was on record from the start saying that taking Tebow anywhere in the first 2 rounds was a reach of epic proportions. I said his mechanics sucked, he was an option only QB and he would get torn up in the NFL.

So what happened? We drafted him with the 25th pick of the NFL Draft.

WHAT?????? Are you insane McDaniels???

OK, OK....think of a happy place......and ...now....I....am......calm........huzaa!!

So, like I always do once we pick a player, I decided to do some research.

Here is what I have found:

Some facts:

  • Tim Tebow is the most efficient passing quarterback OF ALL TIME in the SEC ranks and one of the highest in the NCAA....and that includes every division.
  • Tim Tebow is the only quarterback in NCAA history to rush and throw for more than 20 touchdowns.
  • First sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy.
  • First sophomore to garner All American honors.
  • Tim Tebow has outperformed many no 1 picks and great SEC quarterbacks. For an interesting read that has been up at MHR a few times check out this fascinating article.
For a good over view of Tim Tebow go here. It paints a great picture of his background, records and pedigree.

Please read the link and follow along with me........

Welcome back. Well, paints a pretty impressive picture of a player who has a good arm, great accuracy, can make all the throws, and unlike many other quarterbacks, has GREAT running ability too.

1/ TIM TEBOW DOES NOT HAVE A NFL STRENGTH ARM:
OK, well lets examine that:

This came from CBS Sports X Change:
Prototypical arm strength. Can make every NFL throw. Can zip short and intermediate passes and flashes touch and trajectory on deeper throws. Only occasionally asked to throw true deep balls in this offense, but has the arm strength to do so.
From Matt Macguire at Walter who is one of Tebow's greatest detractors"
... Solid arm strength ... Very good accuracy on the deep ball


From Draft Insider:
He's got a good arm, and is able to make most NFL caliber throws. He doesn't need to make much in the way of reads but shows good poise in the pocket, and obviously he can make plays with his legs


From Draft Zoo:
Extremely underrated aspect of his game. Was deadly accurate and productive on passes of 15+ yards through the air. Has the strength to fit the ball into tight windows down the field, and has enough zip to complete quicker routes. Has been very strong throwing back across his body will all arm. Very strong upper body and excellent hip torque when stepping into long throws. Arm strength is not at Jamarcus Russell level, but it is good enough for any environment.


and Scott Wright from Draft Countdown:

Good height and outstanding bulk --- Terrific athleticism --- Excellent strength --- Arm is strong enough to make all the throws --- Can throw on the run

These are all pretty well respected minds in the draft business, and there seems to be no disputing that Tebow has the arm strength to be a NFL QB.
He has better arm strength than Steve Young, Joe Montana, Tom Brady and a host of QB's who are starting, have started and who have had great careers in the NFL.

2/ TIM TEBOW WILL BE/IS A SYSTEM ONLY QUARTERBACK:

Really? Well......duh! Of course he is and of course he will be. Some of the greatest QB's of all time were, and are, system quarterbacks, yet some of these so called experts seem to forget that.
Joe Montana? System quarterback
Steve Young? System quarterback.
Tom Brady? System quarterback.
Even Peyton Manning is a system quarterback. Please dont tell me that Tom Moore did not design a system around Peyton Manning's strengths.
LISTEN UP PEOPLE.....all good HC's and OC's will design a system around their strengths, or draft or bring in a QB that is a fit.

3/ TIM TEBOW'S MECHANICS WILL HOLD HIM BACK FROM BEING A NFL CALIBER QB:
Well, this is where it gets interesting!
Tebow's OLD action was a very slingy, baseball style throwing motion. Many people I respect have said that the motion would hold Tebow back from being as good as he could. I agree. i have seen similar situations in the sport I coach in....where basic mechanics are holding back an athlete from taking that next step.
As a coach, or as a GOOD coach......that is VERY exciting!

Word to the wise....TIM TEBOW IS PERHAPS THE GREATEST COLLEGE PLAYER OF ALL TIME. He holds some exceptionally impressive passing records, he has parts to his game that QB's like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning would die for (mobility for one).....and he has achieved all this with some flawed mechanics!

Cold Hard Football Facts has a VERY interesting slant on the whole mechanics argument. Not that I agree with the article 100%, but I too think Tebow's mechanics have been blown out of proportion.

I have no doubt that Tebow will be a successful starting QB in the league with his OLD mechanics, but lucky for us Denver supporters, is that Tebow wants to make those mechanics more effecient. Remember folks, there have been many starting QB's with questionable mechanics: Bernie Kosar, Brett Favre, Philip Rivers, Byron Leftwich and Sid Luckman to name a few.
In the same breath, some players with beautiful motions, never make it. The best examples: Tim Couch, Jeff George and Ryan Leaf.

I think we all need to not get too tied up in the mechanics issue. There are a few worse motions playing the game now, and who have succeeded greatly in the past.

John Bena posted this on the front page of MHR. It shows the improvements that Tebow is making. If I am Josh McDaniel's I am frothing over these improvements. He was VERY good to start with, and he has improved in a very short time. The proof of the pudding will be under game situations, but like I said.....WAS TEBOW REALLY THAT BAD TO START WITH????

SOME THOUGHTS:
i) Who you going to believe?
Already on record are Pete Carroll, Jon Gruden, Bill Belichick and Tony Dungy saying he is going to be a winner and deserving of a 1st round pick. Gruden worked out TEBOW here, and was suitably impressed.
Said Tony Dungy:

"I heard the same things about Steve Young. I heard the same things about Vince Young."

Added Dungy on Tebow: "Somebody, I think, is going to take him in the first round. I'd be surprised if by the end of the first round somebody hasn't taken him . . . And I think it will pay off for them."




ii) Is there anybody arguing about his intangibles?
I think one thing that everyone agrees on: Tebow has intangibles out the wazoo. He will work hard, he is a leader, he has outstanding character, he wants to be the best!

The reason for this post was to get ALL of us to think outside the box.

As I said, I missed on Tebow...guys like Sayre and DIE did not...and huge hat tip to them!

Yes...mechanics are important, but the MSM focus on them, and the conservative nature of the NFL in itself have seen this issue grow into a storm in teacup.

I have no doubt Tebow's mechanics could be better...and guess what, he is fixing those every day, and he had a good arm, good accuracy and the ability to make all NFL throws in the first place.

The ultimate question to pose to YOU my MHR brethren is this:

WHEN CONSIDERING TIM TEBOW, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT HIS INTANGIBLES AND MOBILITY, DOES IMPROVED MECHANICS NOW MAKE HIM A STEAL IN THE DRAFT?

Me, personally? I believe that the mechanics issue was over hyped. The majority of scouting reports say Tebow has great decision making abilities. His stats say he is one of the MOST efficent college QB's ever, and rarely turns the ball over. He has been one of the BEST running QB's of all time in colllege, as well as holding passing records aswell.....and most important.....the guy is trying to improve ALL facets of the game.

It has taken me a long time to come around, but all the research that I have come across is that there is nothing but UPSIDE in this pick, and 3 years from now, Tim Tebow could be the STEAL of the 2010 NFL draft.

WOuld love to hear everyones thoughts?

Peace.





This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR.