Tim Tebow just can’t seem to put down regular roots in the NFL. At the height of Tebow fever, he did two consecutive years as quarterback for the Denver Broncos, after which he was transfered to the New York Jets for a year of benchwarming. Now he’s reportedly signing with the New England Patriots, and if the poor kid thinks his butt got numb with the Jets, then he has no idea what’s coming. With a QB like Tom Brady, how can Tebow ever hope to set his feet on the astroturf?
This a very strange move indeed for both Tebow and the Patriots. I don’t claim to know much about football, but the moment that I finally paid enough attention to realize that Tebow can’t even properly throw the ball was when the Broncos were getting righteously creamed by the Patriots a few seasons ago. Tebow’s talents definitely don’t match up to his notoriety as a media thunderbolt, and I’ve gathered that the problem with Tebow’s continued existence as a sought-after catch is that he’s more of a personality than a football player. His skill level cannot surpass the fact that he’s become a punchline, a tabloid fixture, and a beefy GQ spread. He honestly seems like a nice guy, but it makes no sense at all why the Patriots would want him. Since we are a gossip site (and not ESPN), here’s the scoop from People, of course:
Third time’s a charm?
After mixed results in stints with the Denver Broncos and the New York Jets, Tim Tebow is about to sign with his third NFL team, the New England Patriots, sources tell ESPN.
The 2010 Heisman Trophy winner, 25, is expected to compete with Ryan Mallett for the job of backup quarterback behind Tom Brady.
He is expected to join the Patriots at their minicamp Tuesday.
The Jets released Tebow in April after drafting highly rated quarterback Geno Smith. Tebow had a disappointing season in a marginal role with the Jets following two years with the Broncos. In 2011, he led Denver to the playoffs after several unlikely comeback wins.
A devout Christian, Tebow has something of a cult following due to his faith, which he credited for his spectacular success at the University of Florida.
He is also among the most scrutinized NFL players off the field, with intense interest in his personal life.
[From People]
Sadly, this will not end well for Tebow. The point could be made that Brady is a bit of a famewhore (hell, he’s enjoyed his own tabloid exploits and married the world’s highest paid supermodel), but Brady earned his keep and proved his talent before that all went down. Tebow’s going to end up frustrated and warming a bench all season, and then he’ll probably transfer to another team after a season or two. Oh well.
Meanwhile, is anyone else curious about what Gisele Bundchen thinks of this new development? You know she has an opinion, but I would be willing to bet that Tom’s already asked her to keep her mouth shut on this matter.
Photos courtesy of WENN
It’s not like Tebow will suddenly be taking quarterback duties from Tom. I’d imagine he’ll be used as halfback, or something similar, and maybe 3rd string QB.
Exactly. No one puts Brady in the corner 😉
LOL.
It would be best for the Pats to find another position for him.
I am not convinced that he’s a NFL level QB, but, Tebow has been quoted as saying he’s not interested in another position. Hopefully, for the Pats depth, Tebow’s stance on that issue has softened.
HAHAHA
I wish I could fan you right now!
Yes. The Pats will have Tebow as the 3rd QB on the depth chart, and will find some other role for him.
My DH is a big football guy, and he says that the problem with Tebow is that he is just not a pro-level quarterback but refuses to play another position. (Apparently quarterbacks at the college and pro levels play very different games.)
I’ll also say that he can’t stand either Tebow or the Patriots, so I expect to hear tons of cursing this fall, LOL.
Still, I’m glad he landed somewhere, because from what I read the guy from the Jets really treated him badly.
gogo, this is how I feel, too. The Jets really did him a disservice by bringing him there. I’m no Patriots fan at all and really don’t care for Bellichek but I am happy that someone picked Tebow up. I feel like he’s earned a shot, a true shot with a coach that is really in his corner, to make this work.
Given Gronk’s rotating visits to the surgeon, it’s feasible that Belichick (in all of his arrogance about fixing players) might try to convince Tebow to move to TE. It’d be a more natural fit for him.
Plus, the move reunites him with his coach from the Broncos, Josh McDaniel, who is the OC at the Pats now.
The game in the pros and college is actually becoming much more similar. There is debate as to whether that will be sustainable, but most of the quality quarterbacks coming out of college in the last few years have been “running” quarterbacks. There are questions about Tebow’s ability to throw the ball, but I think it is making a mountain out of a mole hill: there are starters in the NFL with worse stats and many great quarterbacks have had unconventional forms.
As for Tebow being willing to play another position, the Jets asked him to punt protect and he did. If you know anything about football, that is a dangerous, injury prone, bottom rung position. I think he wants to be a QB, but is willing to do anything he can to help his team. The Jets really did mistreat him and I’m glad he got signed somewhere.
PS- Sorry for the inordinately long post, but I am a bit of a sports fanatic and I never get to write about it 😉
Sorry, double post
We have a saying out here: In Belichick We Trust.
I know, I know, people outside of New England hate BB with a passion, but Pats fans have learned to take The Curt Grumpy One with a grain of salt. Say what you want about him, he’s a very smart guy and a brilliant football coach. I’ve never been a Tebow fan, never outright hated him either but I think it’s going to be interesting to see what happens. If anything, I just want to see Tebow do well to piss off Jets fans 😉 (apologies to my NY celebitches)
That being said, it’s kind of hard to think about football when the Bruins are headed to the Stanley Cup Playoffs 😀
Yes to all of this! I bet Belichick turns him into a half back or something. The boy can’t throw for shit, but he is big & boy can he run!
Also… GO BRUINS! I’m watching the games & wearing my husband’s jersey since he works nights 😉
I was hoping you’d show up on this post, Bodhi 🙂
*high fives*
Yeah, he’s useless as a QB. The only way he’ll be in the NFL much longer is if he switches positions.
Shoot! My stupid slow computer didn’t have your comments up before I posted.
You throw the Stanley Cup at us to deflect Tebow? Nice.
Were I to be honest, unless he paid some real cash for Tebow, this is not a bad move – just a surprising one. The guy has talent and if he were mentored under Brady, it would be the best thing for him. Brady is a solid (by that I mean incredible) enough player and knows that line was built around him so is not going to feel threatened. There is nothing better than a truly solid backup (although don’t ask Alex Smith about that.) If Tebow’s hubris dropped as low as his price tag, this was a very skilled move.
But I intend to tease you mercilessly until this boy performs.
hey, don’t forget Brady started as a backup. (not that Tebow will ever steal Brady’s job) I’m curious to see what happens..
and damnit j. stop drooling over Brady!
@j.eyre – Agree with everything you said in your paragraph. Great opportunity for Tebow to grow as a player and either put the “no talent” remarks to rest by bettering his game and being a solid backup, or put them in the records as truth.
@J “You throw the Stanley Cup at us to deflect Tebow? Nice.”
Ha ha..It’s just hard living in The Land of Win ya know? Every time we turn around, it’s another sports team winning a championship (or getting *thisclose* and then gracelessly choking). It’s downright exhausting trying to keep track, Miss Eyre 😉
Listen, it was a shocking yet potentially (brilliant) move to get Tebow. He can play fullback, tight end. He’s the dollar store can opener, not the $40 Oxo version from Williams-Sonoma. He’s not an *investment* but if he can help us open up a few cans of chicken n’ stars soup over the next year then he’s well worth the bargain basement price we paid for him.
Marie! I am not, will not – CAN NOT – drool over Brady. I am a sworn, devout, unrepentant, devoted 49er fan and whereas I can acknowledge Brady (a self professed Joe Montana worshipper) has talent, these legs remain crossed unless you come with Gold.
What TheOriginalKitten said. Glad to see that the football talk here is more informed than our esteemed gossip overlords. No one is supposing that Tebow will make a run at Brady’s job. That’s just nonsense.
But the guy does have real abilities that can be trained and utilized. The husband is a Jets fan and loathes the Patriots but he believes Tebow might thrive under Belichick.
Miss Eyre! 49ers! I still feel kind of bad for Alex, but I love me some Kaep.
As for Tebow, he seems like a nice enough guy so I guess I’m happy that he landed a contract. But like everyone else has said, it’s not like he’s in actual contention for Brady’s job. I agree that if he’s willing to learn, and perhaps change position, then he might be of good use to Belichick.
(Massachusetts/CT/RI here) Original Kitten is on the money! BB=genius, Bruins on their way. Tebow? Who cares!
AGREE!!!!
I actually kinda love how grumpy Belicheck is.
This will be interesting!
Go Bruins!
I’m actually pumped for the playoffs. I’m a Toronto fan, but Bruins are a close second. I saw them sweep Pittsburgh the other night while I was out for drinks at Boston Pizza. There were like 4 Pittsburgh fans in the crowded bar haha.
Ditto to all you said there, Kitten, And go Bruins!
Don’t forget, Josh McDaniels is now Hoodie’s offensive coordinator, and is well aware of Tebow’s strengths and weaknesses from their time together in Denver. I’m sure Josh was in Bill’s ear with ideas of what they could do with Tebow in New England. If anyone can pull a player off the scrap heap and get something out of him for pennies on the dollar, it’s The Great Hoodie.
In Bill We Trust.
The hell, Pats?! What. The. Hell?! The only way I see him playing in a game is if the Patriots are winning by a lot, or losing by a lot.
They may use him when running a blitz play but other than that he won’t get much field time. The clock is ticking on his 15 minutes of fame.
I will also say this Tebow was more concerned with being a famewhore than focusing on his craft. The man even trademarked his Tebowing. BB ain’t going to have none of that on his team. I’m a NY Giants fan all the way but the Patriots got themselves one tough coach.
Truth. Besides, I’m honestly more worried about our defense.
BB will prevent the Tebow media frenzy, and that can only be good for Tebow.
OKITT! I wanted to board a plane and fly out to talk to you about this last night.
Go ahead, tell me your thoughts? Wait – maybe you should do so in the “Tebow” trademarked stance.
You guys must have gotten him for a song. (I hope it was a non-offensive one.)
I’m Tebowing right now but it’s hard to type at the same time and plus my boss is staring at me strangely.
I think he’ll do ok. The Jets experience was a huge serving of humble pie for Tebow and I think he’ll carry that humility to McDaniels and the Pats (there is some strange bro love between McDaniels and TT)—I think he’ll keep his head down and work harder. He wants to be here, he has something to prove, and I think that could be helpful for us.
That being said, now I can’t criticize him for his ostentatious religious displays on the field. That kinda bums me out…
Don’t you think they’ll put him another position, though? I’m not really into football, but I’ve been following this story (mostly because I have some friends who love Tebow, LOL). Anyway, my DH thinks he does not have what it takes to be a pro-level QB but could work in another position (which he has apparently refused to do to date).
At the most a third-string, developmental QB behind Mallet and Brady. The thing is, historically the Pats elect only 2 QBs per season (I think ’11 was the only exception to that) so I’m thinking Tebow gets a fullback position, which might actually be the best fit for him.
Can one of you guys tell me who’s prettier, Brady or Beckham. I tend to lean towards Brady but Beckham is a beautiful man until he opens his mouth. He shouldn’t talk.
Brady’s my boy but Beckham makes me weak in the knees.
But the voice!!!!…holy hell that’s a terrible voice….and I’m a “voice girl” so that is a definite deal-breaker.
So sad…do they do voice transplants? lol cuz then he’d be perfect.
Too bad because physically, the man is pure sex.
I wouldn’t kick either one of them out of bed for eating crackers.
Hell, I’d feed them the damn crackers. AT the same time, even. It’s all good. 🙂
I would go for Beckham, I truly think he is beautiful.
However, even if I found Brady hotter, I couldn’t. Until he puts the right jersey on, he is not allowed to dine.
I say Becks (he doesn’t have to speak). He seems to be aging better.
Tebow doesn’t have a chance. Mallet is a far better QB for NFL style football. IMO he missed his real chance when he chose to leave the Broncos instead of taking an opportunity to learn from Manning.
The Broncos never gave him that chance. They wanted a trade. Elway never liked Tebow or wanted him. McDaniels drafted him before getting fired and once he left, they wanted Tebow gone too
My kids were just saying that they heard Tebow was going to play arena football so this is a shocking and baffling development for them.
That photo of Brady in the blue jacket cracks me up. Sometimes he looks Gisele dressed him up, like her own life sized Ken doll.
$20 says Belichick turns him into a real football player. I have nothing against the guy, but he is NOT QB material & I bet he knows it. Chances are, he knows his limitations & is willing to learn to play another position. I wish him well!
He’ll end up being a tight end.
Idk. I read that Tebow was refusing to sign on with anyone who wanted him to change positions
Yeah, but that was when he was a virgin….
He’s built like a fullback; dollars to donuts that he’s playing that position fulltime by the end of the season.
My 10 yr old football fanatic son is loving this news. He really loved watching Tebow play college fb and I think that many fans are still pulling for him based on those times.
Agree that he won’t really qb much and this move more than likely shows that Tebow is ready to play other positions he is more suited for in the NFL.
The coach who drafted Tebow is the pats offensive coordinator
They could be doing a few things with him. Back up for Brady. Position change (Edelman, a current pats wide receiver, was drafted as a qb). Or just train him up, make him look good and then trade him.
His contract has no guaranteed $$ so this is no risk but possible big reward. He had a good spark so worth taking a look at him.
Tebow fever was annoying. But I really feel bad that he never got a real chance.
I’m a happy pats fan 🙂
But Tebow DID get a chance with the Broncos. He became their starter a few games into the 2011 season. John Elway didn’t like him, but the he and the coaches had to bow to pressure on that one.
Yeah he played for them. They got to the play offs with him as qb. Beat the steelers. Lost to the pats. Then got traded to the nfl wasteland known as the jets. Got a bad rep despite his success with the Broncos before the trade.
He’s won more play off games as a bronco than manning :p
The Broncos were a wild card that year. They only got into the playoffs because Oakland lost their game against the Chargers. And the Steelers had half their team out on injuries. The fact that THEY were even in the playoffs was a miracle. And everything we needed to know about how Tebow functions under pressure we saw the next week when the Patriots defense spanked him and put him to bed without any dinner. He might have won more play-off games with the Broncos than Manning has, but Manning has won more play-off games than him in total. Peyton has nothing to prove.
(Already a football fan, but I also happened to be working at a sports bar that year too. In Colorado no less. It was … interesting).
He took a 1-4 Broncos team to a divisional title and a playoff win. That is considered a fairly successful NFL season. The point is he never got a fair shot once the Broncos signed Manning.
Oops, that was supposed to be a reply to one of your replies further up. 😛 Drat not wearing glasses first thing in the morning!
He got a chance… But the truth is, for all of his high media profile, the guy isnt a good QB. He played quarter after quarter of terrible football (dude’s got bad mechanics) and barely squeaked his wins out, and then they lucked into a Wild Card slot. There was a reason why the Broncos shipped him out.
yeah i’m not saying he’ll be good or that i like him.
just that i think he deserves a chance. i hate the way he’s been treated
They were not a wildcard, they won their division. His performance had nothing to do with why they traded him; they signed Manning and Tebow would not have made a good backup for Manning.
He’s a Virgin! 😀
Belichick is an evil genius when it comes to football. Tebow will never be Tom Brady, but if anybody can turn him into a serviceable player, it’s Bill.
WARNING: FOOTBALL RANT ONCOMING!
I’ve been watching Tebow since he went to UF (because lord knows, CBS just couldn’t get enough of him and thought even then he was the second coming and would chat about him DURING OTHER CONFERENCES’ GAMES grrrr). Urban Meyer/UF offensive coordinator set up a good offense around Tebow’s … dubious throwing abilities, and since he was winning, Meyer never bothered to try and fix Tebow or help him learn.
Cue to the NFL. If Tebow has a good offensive line around him, he actually has a chance of scoring. But not only can he not promise a good throw, he can’t think on his feet either. The only thing quick about him is his running ability. And what frustrates me about him is that you cannot point this out without his crazy-ass cultish fans calling you a terrible Christian for criticizing someone who loves God as much as Tebow (try me- I have the evidence to back me up on this one. It includes one of my family members as well). Do I hate Tebow personally? No. Do I think he is a good quarterback? Hell no. Do I think he would make a good offensive lineman? Yes, actually.
Sorry about that rant. I miss football season so much when it’s over, and it feels good to talk about it again.
IMO, no need to apologize! It was a well informed rant, complete with warning!
@TheyPromisedBeer-His overzealous fanbase is by far the worst piece of baggage that comes with Tebow. But to be fair, I’m not sure we can put all the blame on him for that. I think he plays it up and encourages them to a degree, but some of those people are just plain nuts.
The fact that people would say you’re not “Christian enough” for criticizing an athlete’s performance (who deserves the criticism BTW) is completely ridiculous and I don’t blame you for ranting.
*waves to ZigZagZoey*
Mmm, he’s been cultivating that fanbase since he went to UF though. It really got out of hand when he was a Bronco, and he didn’t do anything to indicate that HE thought they were a little overzealous. In fact, he made a point of supporting the Focus on the Family church in C.Springs.
I have nothing against being religious, but his displays on the field were a little … well… when a defensive player on another teams does your own signature move on top of you after sacking you? That’s a hint. Be faithful on your own time. Football is an entirely different church.
Waving back! ♥
Totally agree about the relgion stuff. I saw this the other day and it was SO perfect…..
http://www.collegehumor.com/picture/6614362/religion-is-like-penis-billboard
For those who don’t want to click it says
Religion is like a penis. It’s fine to have one. It’s fine to be proud of it. But don’t whip it out in public and start waving it around. And don’t try to shove it down my (children’s) throat!
LOL at the religion is like a penis comparison. It’s ironic Tebow would end up in New England, because if there’s one place that waving your faith around like a weapon doesn’t work, it’s in New England. If you’re religious, that’s fine. But don’t just talk the talk. New Englanders respect those who walk the walk, and shut up about it.
@ TheyPromisedBeer – You’re preaching to the choir (no pun intended) 🙂
All my “I’m Tebowing” comments are made in jest and I do agree with your stance 100%. Part of having religious freedom is having freedom FROM religion if I so chose (which I do) I’d prefer to enjoy sports minus the preachiness.
@ZZZ-I LOVE that line. I’ve seen it before and it’s a perfect analogy IMO 🙂
@ZZZ – LOL! I have this mental image now of a kid’s pop-up picture bible with a penis in it.
OMG TheyPromisedMeBeer! LMAO They only have those pop up penis bibles in the Catholic church!
So inappropriate, but hilarious!
Your rant is well-deserved. I’m not a huge football fan, but I live in Colorado and all the Tebow die-hards HAPPEN to be devout Christians. They still love him.
That said, I find it interesting that he’s so famous since he’s not a good QB. It seems to me all of the PR he gets comes from the virginity he sells.
I happened to be living in CO when Tebow was QBing for the Broncos, and the genuine Broncos fan were all very quick to distinguish themselves from the Tebow fans.
I have to brag here – I have a family member that recently signed with the Patriots. He’s just out of college. He’s going to be on the offensive line so I don’t care which QB he blocks for!
COOL!!! ♥ Good luck to him with his career….Wouldn’t want to go anywhere else!
Bonfire, that’s so awesome! Congrats to him, and you’ll have to brag even more when football season finally gets underway. 🙂
Congratulations – that is definitely brag worthy.
Hell, I’d be shouting that from the rooftops 😉
Congrats-very cool indeed.
As a Gator and a Dolphin fan from G-ville…this wasn’t my worst nightmare…
But it was pretty damn close.
you know what I wonder, why did he not go to Jacksonville? he could have put butts in the seats and had a decent shot at a starter job.
new jags management doesn’t want him
the owner did last year but he was traded to the jets
My hubby said these words right after Tebow was cut by the Jets. “You watch, he’s coming to NE, he’ll be signed soon enough” and he was right. Apparently BB loves him, ever since his college days. It will be interesting to see where he plays him, it will not be at QB, though, that’s for sure.
To me, the question is can Tebow swallow his ego and fit into someone’s plans for him that don’t inc QBing? Presumably, the answer is yes, bec otherwise, why would he go to NE?
I think he does encourage his rabid fan base in subtle ways- but the NFL is not a tent revival meeting, and I think he gets that now
“..is can Tebow swallow his ego and fit into someone’s plans for him that don’t inc QBing?”
Thing is, he’s gonna HAVE to. There is no other way of fitting into the Pats uni-you have to have a team mentality or you won’t last a hot minute under Belichick’s rule.
I’m a Broncos fan and I just want to say that I don’t care where he is or what position he plays as long as he’s not our problem anymore. LOL.
Well, a couple of things. There doesn’t NEED to be enough space for the two egos because Brady is BRADY and Tebow is….well, we all know. My husband (a lifelong Patriots fan and sprts nut) bets dollars to donuts that Tebow may be 3rd string but more likely will be playing a different position. And anyone who follows Belichick at all knows, you do what he tells you. Tebow won’t have wiggle room to say “Nah, I don’t want to do that”.
Having said that, when I read Tebow and Patriots in the same line yesterday, I was one of many who said “ugh, seriously?”
Tebow blew it. He’s great for college, but not fit for the NFL. If it wasn’t for the heavy draft campaigning he and his family did he would have faded away by now. Tebow news is not news. It’s the backdoor deals that we should be watching under the radar. Belichick is no fool. He’s getting a deal here and he’s not putting Tebow on more than a few minutes total. He might upset Brady.
I truly miss Parcells and Bledsoe. The man had a cannon of an arm and Parcells wasn’t so obvious and boastful about cheating as Belichick is. All the coaches cheat in the NFL. Belichick just knows he’s protected. Brady and Belichick have turned the Partriots into more of a New York Yankee style team.
I’m a long time New England resident and frequent any Bruins, Celtic, Soxs, Pats game I can get to so I don’t know how others feel about the team outside of the area. Just my 2 cents.
Bledsoe had a cannon of an arm, but he rifled the ball straight to the opposing team too many times. Plus, he was like a statue. Any kind of pass rush and he went down like he’d been tasered.
I liked Parcells at first, and give him credit for his hand in rebuilding what was then a sorry franchise – but the way he left was not right. At all.
I agree. My husband was (and still is) a big Bledsoe fan but I couldn’t stand him. He was like a big tree trunk out there.
They’ll make Tebow a tight end.
Me thinks Brady will retire soon. But I hope not!
5 years at least until that point. Peyton Manning is 38 and I think he’s got at least 2 years left being 40% android. Brady’s never had a major injury. He’ll be there for awhile…with much cringing on my part. (Dolphins fan)
Actually, Brady had a major knee injury a few years ago – 2008? Got hit in the first game of the year and lost the entire season.
Even if Brady does retire soon Tebow will not be the replacement QB. Mallet is the backup and his QB game is much better suited for the NFL.
Tebow needs to accept that NFL is not NCAA. He would be much better suited for a different position. (I agree with those suggesting TE)
just saw a video from minicamp today
Tebow was practicing as a QB
As you point out (correctly) you don’t know sports. Tebow isn’t going to play QB for the Patriots. For once in his career, there will be no QB controversy. He’s not going into a situation where a weak, lower tier QB is in place like Kyle Orton in Denver or Mark Sanchez in New York. Brady is the Patriots QB. Period. But I would bet my last dollar that Bill Belichik has a plan for him and that the league may very well spend next season going “How come we didn’t think of that!”
Gisele could care less about Tebow. She knows. Everyone knows her husband is a far superior QB on his worst day than Tebow has ever been as a pro. The Pats will probably shove him in Gronk’s position, which is more suited to his abilities.
That said if he never plays another game I will not shed a tear. He grates & always has.
As a Bronco fan, I extend my condolences to the Pats fans.. I used to watch every game with more than a dozen relatives. I had to quit watching the games with my family when one of my cousins accused a relative of hating christians. The accused has been a minister for longer than the accuser has been alive. Tebow is a walking, talking wedge issue. Even if I knew with 100% certainty that he was going to make us forget about John Elway I would choose someone like Ryan Leaf to avoid the Tebow extremists (you cant reason with them). I still dont watch the games with extended family anymore, Tebow ruined football for my family.
Poor Tebow. He only has his fortune, fame and fitness to comfort him. I hope he can survive these dark days and pull through.