2010 NFL Draft: Five Reasons Tim Tebow Makes Sense with the 49ers

I first laid eyes on Tim Tebow in late August, 2006. Tebow, an 18-year-old senior at Nease high school in Jacksonville, Florida, was quarterbacking his team against Alabama's best program, Hoover High School (later of MTV's "Two-a-Days" fame).

Though his team was vastly overmatched, both in talent and size, Tebow showed relentless grit and a refusal to lose that was inspiring, even to a less than interested college student on summer vacation.

12,233 yards, 145 touchdowns, two national championships, and one Heisman trophy later, Tebow is undoubtedly the best college football player of his generation. Though experts, analysts and scouts have all questioned his potential as a pro quarterback, it would seem Tebow is relishing the chance to prove his doubters wrong.

The 49ers, unlike Tebow, have yet to harness the "win at all costs" mentality. While the playoff caliber defense has been led by all-world linebacker Patrick Willis, the offense has been tripping over its own feet for seven years, like a 14-year-old who grew two shoe sizes in a single summer.

Come April, the 49ers have a chance to leap the final hurdle of mediocrity, by having commissioner Roger Goodell utter 19 simple words: "With the 13th pick of the 2010 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select Tim Tebow, quarterback, University of Florida".

Here are five reasons 49ers fans should hope that happens...

Reason No. One: Alex Smith

By the 49ers meager standards of the last decade, quarterback Alex Smith had a successful season in 2009, completing over 60 percent of his passes and throwing for 18 touchdowns. It was largely a maddening season for 49ers fans, as Smith showed just enough, week in and week out, to warrant another year on the job. Undeniably, the physical tools are there. The question continues to be, is the confidence?

At the NFL level, the quarterbacks are separated by minuscule physical and skill differences. What keeps players like Smith from ascending the NFL's royalty ladder, like those from Indianapolis and New Orleans, is a lack of confidence in himself.

Naturally, through locker room osmosis, the rest of the team becomes infected with self-doubt, leading to a general feeling of offensive inertia. (see the 49ers, San Francisco, 2002-2009).

What Tim Tebow could bring to this team, more than his physical tools, is his unsettling belief in himself and his teammates.

The 49ers need a fiery presence on the offensive side of the ball to match Patrick Willis. Though Frank Gore is a respected leader and teammate, he fails to bring the vocal, raw passion the 49ers offense is lacking. As annoying as Tebow's trademarked pump up the fans routine is, that's exactly what the 49ers need to ignite this beleaguered franchise and fanbase.

Reason No. Two: The Spirtual Connection

Tim Tebow: An intense, emotional leader who bases his faith in himself in his faith in God.

Mike Singletary: An intense, emotional leader who bases his faith in himself in his faith in God.

The parallels between these two run deep. In Tebow, Singletary would see a younger version of himself, a teammate that his players could rally around; a player, who like himself in the mid-1980's, would serve as the inspirational juice for an otherwise uninspired team.

In Singletary, Tebow would see another strong, passionate coach of a similar religious faith, much like Urban Meyer. The bond, football-wise and spiritually, would strengthen not only the fabric of the two men's relationship, but also the team. Ultimately, this would lead to a greater sense of unity and general self-confidence.

Remember, after Singletary's first game as head coach, he let loose this now famous quote, "I want winners."

Who else in football, at any level, embodies that statement more than Tebow?

Reason No. Three: Tebow's Skill-Set Fills a Void

In an offense that relies on sustaining drives and not the big play, converting third-and-shorts is one of the most crucial aspects of generating success. With a makeshift offensive line, and without a true power back to shoulder some of the load from Frank Gore, Tebow would be a dynamic weapon in the 49ers' short yardage packages.

Having already tinkered with the "Taser" (a knockoff of the now famous "Wildcat), Offensive Coordinator Jimmy Raye has tipped his hand that he is open to the idea of single wing football in certain situations. Much like Tebow did in his freshman season at Florida, when he was used primarily in goal line and third down sets, the bruising quarterback could hide many of the shortcomings of the offensive line against eight and nine man fronts.

Using Tebow in these unique situations would also keep Gore's legs fresher, his yards per carry average up, and demoralize defenses as the Niners pieced together double-digit play drives.

Not to mention, "MPV" Andy Lee's leg might not fall off...

Reason No. Four: The NFC West's Arms Race

With the impending retirement of Kurt Warner in Arizona, the quarterback situation in the NFC West is on the brink of complete and utter disaster.

In Seattle, seemingly overnight, Matt Hasselbeck went from a Pro Bowl caliber player to a pedestrian one, on his best day. In St. Louis, the Rams were forced to play rookie Keith Null, a sixth round pick only a season removed from facing defensive backs at power house programs like Angelo State and Eastern New Mexico.

There is a distinct possibility that in 2010 the 49ers could have the most stable quarterback situation in the conference, with or without Tebow. But, if the 49ers were to take Tebow, it would send a message: "We want to win now".

Analysts have described Tebow as a "project" pick, someone who won't be able to help his club without seasons of specialized footwork and delivery training. I see him as just the opposite. With a skill-set as unique as his, Tebow could be used situationally almost right away, all the while being groomed to eventually take the reigns from Alex Smith. The quarterback position would be in good hands for the next 10-12 seasons.

With Clausen or Bradford potentially heading to St. Louis or Seattle, the arms race is about to begin. Tebow is the Niners' A-bomb.

Reason No. Five: Making the 49ers Matter Again

Between 1981 and 2001, the 49ers won less than 10 games once. Between 2002 and 2009, the 49ers didn't secure a single winning season, much less be considered a contender for a playoff spot.

This franchise's mystique was built by the bare hands of the legend Bill Walsh, a man who prided himself on fielding teams that not only won, but won with elegance and charisma.

49ers quarterbacks during the glory years were always larger than life. Even their names, Joe Montana and Steve Young, sounded like quarterbacks manufactured in football heaven by the ghost of Vince Lombardi. The franchise was so supremely confident, success couldn't help but manifest itself on Sundays.

And the way they won: the last second drives, the impossible completions, the hoarse voice of Joe Starkey crying out, "They did it! The 49ers win!"... The team truly radiated an aura that could never be matched.

These days, our team's hopes and dreams lie with a quarterback whose hands are too small and decision-making too slow, his confidence blown in 63 different directions, through no fault of his own.

It's time to bring back the mystique...The innate quality the 49ers signal callers are known to carry from the time their alarm goes off in the morning to the time they go to sleep. San Francisco is a town of winners. Tim Tebow is a winner.

It's time the 49ers put the rest of the NFL on notice, with 19 simple words...