2010 NFL Draft: How Will Tim Tebow's New Mechanics Affect His Draft Stock?

Tim Tebow.

If there is a more fracturing, divisive athlete entering the NFL Draft in 2010, I've yet to hear about him.

We haven't even had the NFL Scouting Combine and everyone—myself included—have already made their opinion known about what chances Tebow has to make it in the NFL.

I'm not sold, I've never been sold. There are so many problems with the mechanics of his throwing motion, I find it hard to imagine anyone being able to change or overcome them enough to make it as a starter.

Anyone but perhaps Tebow. For as much as I have rarely seen a player overcome the technical issues Tebow faces, I've also rarely seen a player who worked as hard as a college player.

The biggest question is, can he be coached? Is he willing to cast aside much of what made him a success in college? Can he check his ego?

According to Adam Schefter, the answer is a resounding 'yes'.

Today on ESPN.com, Schefter posted an article that says Tebow is not only willing to change, but actively working to change now and is planning to unveil Tebow 2.0 at Florida's Pro Day on March 17.

Tebow has gathered some solid names around him to correct his game—among them former offensive coordinator Zeke Bratkowski, Arizona State offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone and former coach Sam Wyche.

According to the article, the things Tebow is planning on altering include how he holds the football (moving it from down at his waist to up at his shoulder), working more under center and focusing on taking three- and five-step drops.

Keep in mind, working out of the shotgun proved tremendously successful for Tebow. Anytime you change such an integral part of your game (as throwing mechanics are to the quarterback position) you risk destroying all that a player can do already, while perhaps not even achieving the effect you were hoping for.

Many other players have done it, but very few—if any—were of Tebow's stature and fame.

It says something that Tebow dove right in and started working on making what I think are the massive and very necessary changes he needs to have a shot at succeeding in the NFL.

Of course, there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done. By no means does this rocket him up my draft board. It might not even do that when he throws at his Pro Day.

I like the work ethic. I like the determination. I like the lack of ego about his own game. I liked it all before, I like it even more now.

However, we're talking about a massive re-tooling of his fundamental skills and mechanics. It's always dicey when you monkey with your foundation, and the possibility of making things worse, as I mentioned a minute ago, is tremendous.

So when we see him throw at Pro Day (not surprisingly he won't do so at the Combine, joining a growing list of quarterbacks who aren't) everyone needs to keep their expectations checked.

It's likely that even by then Tebow will look very, very raw.

However, getting in the early work now will pay off both for him and whatever team takes a chance on him in April.

It isn't a guarantee of success, but it certainly sends a signal to scouts in the NFL.

Tebow's willing to lay it on the line and work to do what he has to in order to make it as an NFL quarterback.

He's ready, he's willing—now he question becomes: is he able?

We'll see on March 17th in Florida.