Tim Tebow Pro Day: Breaking Down New Throwing Motion, Other Gators

Tim Tebow impressed at the NFL Combine, but did not throw at the annual prospect event. That changed at today's Pro Day held at the University of Florida where Tebow's redesigned throwing mechanics were on display, as well as a number of other Gator prospects.

The reviews were mixed regarding Tebow's performance, but more definitive projections were made about the rest of Tebow's former Gator teammates.

The New Tebow

Tebow unveiled his new throwing motion which, according to reports, was a lot less deliberate and generated greater accuracy especially on deep patterns. But again, the reviews were mixed based on who observed.

Bob Redman, reporting for the Florida page of Scout.com reported this sentiment:

"Tim has obviously done a lot of work on his backpedal, and he looks like a total different player dropping back. Very quick with his feet. Very impressive.

Redman also reported, One NFC scout told me, 'I was blown away by the confidence he displayed in the new release and how effective he was delivering the ball. I was most impressed with his footwork and how quick he got rid of the ball; very impressive.' "

Michael Wright of the Florida Times Union provided the counterargument:

Looks like Tebow worked out one kink and developed another. There’s still a small loop & now a bit of a pause in motion. Mechanical looking.

And from Jacksonville.com, "Ball still going down low whenever Tebow is on the move. Looks like he's kind of forcing that new motion. Accuracy just mediocre.

The truth is that Tebow's performance ranks somewhere in between. There are coaches who left impressed by Tebow given the amount of work he put in and the proper execution he showed on some of the most necessary routes thrown by NFL quarterbacks.

Conversely, Tebow is still far too green to be regarded as a true NFL quarterback prospect. He remains a project, one that a team can take a chance on in the middle rounds in hopes of fostering the work he's already completed. The middle rounds are a safe landing spot for Tebow unless a team really falls in love with him between now and draft day.

Brandon Spikes

Brandon Spikes provided the most head-scratching moment of the Gators' Pro Day. According to Redman, Spikes clocked unofficial times anywhere from 4.85 to 5.01 in the 40-yard Dash. If scouts trust his 4.85 time, he may not endure too much damage to his stock. But Spikes could be in for a significant draft board tumble if scouts buy his 5.00-plus time.

Keep in mind, Ndamukong Suh recorded a better time than Spikes at the Combine and he's a defensive lineman. Spikes has been projected anywhere from the middle of the first round to the middle of the second in most mock drafts.

However, an estimated time of 4.9 wouldn't land him in the top 25 of linebackers from the NFL Combine. His time, in front of a representative of every NFL team at the Gator Pro Day, could lead to Spikes falling back into the third round.

Joe Haden

Joe Haden originally disappointed scouts at the NFL Combine when he recorded a 4.6 40 time. That initial time knocked him out of what was expected to be a top 10 selection.

Haden muzzled those concerns by running times of 4.42 and 4.43 in the 40 at the Gator Pro Day. That should be enough to vault Haden back into the top 10 considering the best recorded 40 times at the combine by cornerbacks were 4.45 and 4.46.

Aaron Hernandez

Hernandez had a strong day. According to Redman, Hernandez put up 30 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press and ran a 4.5 40 time. Hernandez helped his stock with a solid performance that kept the flaws at minimum. He punctuated his performance with strong route-running during Tebow's passing drills.

Hernandez was a fringe first rounder prior to Pro Day and isn't built like a traditional tight end, but he showed enough athleticism that his stock should hold steady as a second rounder.

Carlos Dunlap

Scouts are well aware of Dunlap's athleticism and what he brings to the position. The knock on Carlos Dunlap have been maturity issues. Those character questions will be resolved through added interviews and one-on-one time with clubs.

Physically, Dunlap had a strong day. He improved on the bench press over his Combine performance by raising 225 pounds 22 times. He also ran a 4.62 in the 40-yard dash. Again, based on comparisons from Combine bests, Dunlap's Pro Day time puts him atop the leader board of defensive lineman.

Dunlap's projection has ranged anywhere from late top 10 to late first round. His Pro Day performance should land him at least somewhere in the middle.

David Nelson

Nelson was an underused target in the Florida offense, but at 6'5" and his 4.4 40 time at Pro Day should secure him a spot in the draft. Nelson was a guy not on many radars prior to the Combine, and of course traits like his hands and route running factor into his projection, but his size and speed could land him in the middle rounds.