04/17/24
June 10, 2013
Patriots Will Sign TIm Tebow: The New England Patriots will sign Tim Tebow, league sources told ESPN. Tebow is expected to participate in the team's mandatory minicamp Tuesday as a quarterback, according to sources. Belichick values versatility in his players, having used wide receivers Troy Brown, Julian Edelman and Matthew Slater at defensive back when injuries hit that position.
posted by rcade to at 11:14 PM - 24 comments
It makes a lot of sense for Tebow. He'll be in a place where he won't get near the field unless a catastrophe of the first magnitude strikes, the locker room will not be spreading gossip to the outside world, and there are many more things of greater sports importance in New England than Tim Tebow. How will he be used? I don't think Patriots are going to put in a second offense to take advantage of Tebow's running ability. They might have a gimmick play or 2, but if Tebow gets into a game, it won't be as QB (barring the aforementioned catastrophe, of course). Look for Timmy at tight end, wide receiver, slot receiver, running back, and maybe even defensive back. Belichick does those things with his players, and it works out more often than not. Versatility is a prized quality on the field in Foxborough, and Tebow is indeed versatile. Mostly, I look forward to Bill Belichick's pressers when a Tebow question is asked.
posted by Howard_T at 11:51 PM on June 10, 2013
Versatility is a prized quality on the field in Foxborough, and Tebow is indeed versatile.
I said a little while ago I thought this signing made sense, but I think Tebow still needs to prove he's as versatile as people assume he is.
Right now, he's a below-average accuracy passer, a big runner and has next to no experience as a receiver. Versatility is as much about the mental side of the game as it is physical tools, and if the reports that Tebow has trouble remembering plays is true, he's not going to work out regardless of the position. At QB, his best asset seemed to be his ability to make it up on the run - not exactly a trait you want from a TE, a blocker, on special teams, or on the defensive side of the ball. Not being able to follow through on a designed play is where things break down and he won't last long if he mentally can't keep up, especially in NE.
posted by dfleming at 08:45 AM on June 11, 2013
I think dfleming has it: we're assuming a versatility he may or may not have and there's been some questioning of Tebow's intelligence in the articles since the move was announced (see this hopefully comprehensive list), so the idea of Tebow jumping to a new position, or multiple positions, may be overblown. The other question is: given the Patriots cut their 3rd string QB to sign Tebow, would you list Tim as your 3rd QB on gameday, given a 3rd QB can't come into the game until the 4th quarter or the first two QBs are hurt?
Still hope he burns the Jets somehow.
posted by yerfatma at 09:09 AM on June 11, 2013
I don't think he had anywhere else to go ...
If one of the best coaches in NFL history thinks he's worth signing, doesn't that suggest the conventional wisdom is wrong? Tebow's run in Denver should've earned him a few years of clipboard duty and spot play with a possible chance to become a starter somewhere down the line. It made no sense for him to go from playoff win to out of the league so quickly.
posted by rcade at 09:22 AM on June 11, 2013
The other question is: given the Patriots cut their 3rd string QB to sign Tebow, would you list Tim as your 3rd QB on gameday, given a 3rd QB can't come into the game until the 4th quarter or the first two QBs are hurt?
I think they got rid of the emergency quarterback rule a couple years ago so he should be able to play whenever he's needed.
I really just like the idea of Tebow and Gronk in the same locker room.
posted by tron7 at 09:24 AM on June 11, 2013
If one of the best coaches in NFL history thinks he's worth signing, doesn't that suggest the conventional wisdom is wrong?
No.
Not every team has the following:
- consistent winning record
- lock-solid starting QB
- unconventional messianic coach
I think you need all three of those before you bring in someone like Tebow (or, a prior example, Moss).
posted by grum@work at 09:38 AM on June 11, 2013
Pats being Pats:
They waited to sign him until his league-wide value bottomed out.
They waited to announce it until just before the Bruins start the Cup finals to avoid attention.
Now they're waiting to see how many middle round picks they can get from the Raiders* for him if he showcases well over the summer.
*or equivalent front office-challenged franchise
(I keep envisioning Tebow as a slow-footed, hard nosed run stopping extra safety in situational packages. A dollar store John Lynch).
posted by beaverboard at 09:46 AM on June 11, 2013
I think they got rid of the emergency quarterback rule a couple years ago
Right you are, which makes it all the more amazing I heard multiple talking heads mention it yesterday.
posted by yerfatma at 10:23 AM on June 11, 2013
I think you need all three of those before you bring in someone like Tebow (or, a prior example, Moss).
I'm not buying the theory that a backup quarterback needs a special set of circumstances to succeed, and these circumstances only exist in New England. If he's good enough to hold a roster spot there when week 1 rolls around, he's good enough to do it in lots of other places.
The only special circumstance here is that Tebow comes with a disproportionate amount of hype, and some teams handle a media circus better than others.
Tebow's still better than anything the Jags have under center. Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne were awful last year. But the team does have Jordan Rodgers as the third stringer, so there's an outside chance we'll have a good quarterback in town. His big brother Aaron might visit.
posted by rcade at 10:29 AM on June 11, 2013
doesn't that suggest the conventional wisdom is wrong?
No.
But for the first time in his NFL career Tebow will be in a situation where he needs to earn a roster spot on merit.
He's not a first round draft pick and fan favorite that a team has to play even though he's the 4th best player at his position on that team. He isn't a high profile acquisition joining a team that has endured years of sub par performance at the position he wishes to play. Neither of those situations benefited Tebow in any way - he wasn't/isn't ready to play QB in the NFL.
Maybe he makes the team and learns how to throw. Maybe he gains an understanding of offensive strategy from watching Brady execute the Patriot offense.
At least he's been given a chance.
posted by cixelsyd at 10:32 AM on June 11, 2013
It made no sense for him to go from playoff win to out of the league so quickly.
Trent Dilfer went from winning a Superbowl to a backup quarterback in the span of one offseason.
Like Tebow, most people attribute him being a success in large part due to a defence which let one or two good passes and no mistakes win you a game. If you take the a 1.5:1 TD/Turnover ratio and 217 yards in total offence from your QB and put that on virtually any other squad in the league at that time, they don't go 7-4 over that period.
posted by dfleming at 02:32 PM on June 11, 2013
If one of the best coaches in NFL history thinks he's worth signing, doesn't that suggest the conventional wisdom is wrong?
Well, first, he needs to be successful in New England to make that claim true. But even if he is, I think, as others have said, the Patriots offer him a unique opportunity.
I believe Tebow going to a bad team would have been a disaster, for both him and the team. And I don't believe most good teams believe what he offers is worth it the hype and attention that comes with him.
You seem to always gloss over the hype/attention factor. As if, yeah, it's an inconvenience, but he deserves a chance. I think the hype worked in Tebow's favor at one point, but I think it's a huge detriment now, and enough reason for most teams not to even consider signing him.
posted by justgary at 02:58 PM on June 11, 2013
The only special circumstance here is that Tebow comes with a disproportionate amount of hype, and some teams handle a media circus better than others.
"Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?"
posted by grum@work at 03:17 PM on June 11, 2013
I think "the hoodie" just wants to make him good to piss people off and say "look what a great coach I am"
posted by Debo270 at 09:33 PM on June 12, 2013
I don't think the Hoodie would do it to showboat. He's won 10 or more games for a decade. He does things to keep that team among the NFL's elite. Either he thinks Tebow can contribute or he thinks he can make him into a commodity to be dealt elsewhere.
Well, first, he needs to be successful in New England to make that claim true.
The conventional wisdom was that he was done and no teams wanted him.
As Grum points out, I addressed the hype. I was counting on it to sell 5,000 season tickets in Jacksonville. There's going to be a lot of Patriots football watched in North Florida this season.
Trent Dilfer went from winning a Superbowl to a backup quarterback in the span of one offseason.
Dilfer played six more seasons after that Super Bowl win, starting 36 games. Through his play in Denver Tebow merited a chance as a backup somewhere for a few years. There are a lot of clipboard holders who've done less than lead a team to the playoffs and a win.
posted by rcade at 11:59 AM on June 13, 2013
The conventional wisdom was that he was done and no teams wanted him.
We don't know about the done part yet. And it's surreal to discuss if a player as statistically bad as Tebow is done or not.
As far as proving the conventional wisdom that no team wanted Tebow, out of all the teams in the NFL and CFL only the patriots wanted to give him a chance. This is pretty much a perfect 'exception that proves the rule' case.
As Grum points out, I addressed the hype.
I know you did. As I said, you just glossed over it as always. As grum also pointed out with his lincoln comment.
There are a lot of clipboard holders who've done less than lead a team to the playoffs and a win.
And none of them come with Tebow's hype. But you don't believe the hype is that bad, so you continue to push this idea. Except for one team the NFL disagrees with you.
You really should be Tebow's publicist. You almost have me wanting to give the guy a chance. But the fact is Tebow is a terrible quarterback. Not average... terrible. A terrible quarterback that comes with a ton of hype that no one wants to deal with. The patriots probably give him his only chance of having any success going forward. You should be... gleeful.
posted by justgary at 02:33 PM on June 13, 2013
As I said, you just glossed over it as always.
I don't know what that is supposed to mean because it's an empty subjective dig, but with the crack that I should be Tebow's publicist you've crossed into the troll realm. Should I lower my game to your level and call you a hater?
posted by rcade at 03:02 PM on June 13, 2013
I don't know what that is supposed to mean because it's an empty subjective dig
I'm not smart enough to know what an empty subjective dig is, but all I'm saying is this:
- You think Tebow has at least earned the right to be a clipboard holder.
- I'm saying no one wants a clipboard holder that comes with that much hype.
- You're acknowledging the hype, but don't seem to believe it's a big deal.
- I think looking at what's happened it's clear the rest of the NFL disagrees with you.
You're hanging you hat on the fact that the patriots signed him to disprove the notion that Tebow wasn't wanted. The patriots signed him for the league minimum for 2 years with no guaranteed money. He 'could' make better money in 2014.
It's obvious this is an experiment for the patriots. If he does great, they pay him later. If he doesn't, they cut him. Teams don't want anything to do with Tebow because he doesn't have enough to offer to offset the hype. And because of that, he signs this kind of contract.
but with the crack that I should be Tebow's publicist you've crossed into the troll realm. Should I lower my game to your level and call you a hater?
Believe whatever you want grumpy. I didn't mean it as a trollish comment.
posted by justgary at 04:21 PM on June 13, 2013
Two things make Patriots the perfect landing spot for Tebow
That is, if Tebow even makes the team. No lock there. Belichick can take all of the next three months to determine whether Tebow is a worthwhile project. He owes him no money unless Tebow's on the opening week roster Sept. 3. So Belichick has 12 weeks of a free look at Tebow right now.
Patriots signed Tebow due to 'spirituality,' owner says
Bill Belichick on Tim Tebow After 10 Questions: "We've already talked enough about him."
Tim Tebow Mania Back In Full Swing, Judging By Boston Media Crush
posted by justgary at 05:56 PM on June 13, 2013
You're hanging you hat on the fact that the patriots signed him to disprove the notion that Tebow wasn't wanted.
Yes, I believe that the Patriots signing Tebow is an indication they wanted him. Why would the Patriots sign him otherwise, given the hype? The contract details are just an one data point on how much (or how little) they wanted him.
Nothing I've said about Tebow is as strong in praise as "I think he could be a decent QB for a very specific team." My belief in him is specifically qualified to a set of circumstances that requires Jacksonville to have a hopeless starting quarterback. Yet I can't talk about the guy without being treated like his publicist, while you have said my exact position: "I think he at least deserves the chance to compete (as a backup)."
posted by rcade at 07:01 PM on June 13, 2013
The contract details are just an one data point on how much (or how little) they wanted him.
What would the other data points be? He doesn't sign that contract if he has other options. But I agree, of course the Patriots want him. And I think its a great fit for Tebow.
Tebow: No pressure to save the franchise. Comes to a team use to dealing with players that come with hype. Will surely get a better chance of contributing.
Patriots: Won't have to deal with anyone calling for Tebow to start. Are paying almost nothing up front, can cut him if it doesn't work out.
I don't think anyone in the league believes Tebow can be a starting quarterback, but with the patriots he might have a chance to stick if he becomes either the flexible player the Jets thought he would be or a decent second string quarterback. I think he'll have a chance to succeed no matter the hype.
Yet I can't talk about the guy without being treated like his publicist
My comment was that you do a good job of presenting his side. I've already explained I didn't meant it as an insult. At this point I'll just resign myself to being the bad guy.
posted by justgary at 08:49 AM on June 16, 2013
What would the other data points be?
The amount of practice time and playbook attention he gets. We'll see in coming weeks how much they value Tebow by those things.
At this point I'll just resign myself to being the bad guy.
I'm OK with it being a misunderstanding, but "publicist" didn't look like a compliment when you kept saying I glossed over a negative. I don't have the emotional investment in this you think I do. He's not a Jag. That was the scenario I wanted.
Tebow playing for the Hoodie is a fun 2013 storyline, if he makes the team, but I'm not a Pats fan. I'm more invested in seeing what Andy Reid and Alex Smith do in K.C. I hoped Smith might end up in Jacksonville.
posted by rcade at 01:03 PM on June 16, 2013
Of course the Patriots sign Tebow.
I think the Patriots just sent Tebow a life preserver. I don't think he had anywhere else to go, and he doesn't have the talent to help a bad team. Can't wait to see what happens.