Why Tim Tebow Can Thank The Miami Dolphins

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

In a game against the New England Patriots on September 21 of last year, the Dolphins used the formation six times and scored five touchdowns in a 38-13 upset. The star of the show was running back Ronnie Brown, who resurrected the Dolphins' season as well as his own career in one game with one formation. 

Throughout the remainder of the year, Brown, fellow running back Ricky Williams and quarterback Chad Pennington could be found at any of the skill positions on any given play, leaving defenses stumped. The Dolphins won the AFC East, but affected the entire league as well, with most teams trying to install some sort of this formation, now referred to as the "Wildcat".

Enter Pat White, the former University of West Virginia star quarterback. White ran a very similar type of offense as Tebow and Smith did under Meyer, doing most of his work from the shotgun. 

In his four years as a Mountaineer, White piled up stats (103 total touchdowns, 56 passing and 47 rushing) and victories (34, good for sixth all time in NCAA history). He was the first quarterback to lead his team to four victories in bowl games as well making him one of the most decorated players in college football history (sound familiar?).

However, heading into the NFL draft, it wasn't sure exactly where White would play when he takes his game to the professional ranks. On draft day, White was projected to be drafted all over the board, depending on which "expert" you prefer. 

Regardless, it would have been a shock if White was drafted in the second round, until of course, the Dolphins selected him. With White, Bush and Henning now have a quarterback that can run and throw effectively, something that might come in handy for, oh let's say, the Wildcat formation.

Back to Tebow and the debate we are scheduled to have once he steps off the field for the final time as a Gator. 

What in the world will happen to Tim Tebow in the National Football League? If the Dolphins use White correctly in their Wildcat, and they more than likely will, that makes Tebow a slam dunk for this new pro-style offense. 

The NFL has always been a copy cat league, and if nothing else, the Dolphins proved that last year when everybody mimicked their offense. So by drafting White, and ending a debate on what the league would do with a player of that versatility, the Dolphins have laid the groundwork for Tebow. 

While the "Wildcat" has already begun to take effect, it is possible that Tebow is going to be the ultimate weapon for whatever team drafts him, yes, as a quarterback, not a tight end or whatever else it's rumored he should play.

Bill Walsh once came up with a new offense in Cincinnati, but didn't perfect it until he had the perfect quarterback in Joe Montana to run his scheme when he got to San Francisco as a head coach. 

Montana wasn't supposed to be a great NFL quarterback either, but he fit an up-and-coming offensive system perfectly, so who is to say that Tim Tebow won't do the same? 

Thanks to the Miami Dolphins, we should get to find out.

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