June Jones was right.
I didn't think so at the time he said it. But, the more I think about it. The more I see Tim Tebow and the things he does.
The more I hear the word "legend" thrown around when describing Tebow's athletic feats or even his inhuman training regimen or his unmatched competitiveness. The more I realize that June Jones was right.
Although, I don't know if Jones even realizes he was right, considering he himself didn't believe what he was saying when he said it!
The reality is Tebow is the only true "system" quarterback to ever play the game. You see, Tebow is in fact a system unto himself.
Every other QB in the past relied on a system to allow them to function. Pocket passers rely on a pocket passing system.
We don't even realize what a contrived system it is because it's been in vogue for so long. Pocket passers rely on great receivers and incredibly complex and contrived passing routes and cuts, misdirection and guile.
Pocket passers rely on their running backs to pound the ball up the middle to open the passing lanes and take pressure off their receivers.
Pocket passers rely on their linemen to create the pocket for them to operate in a sea of tranquility.
The reality is that all of this is a system. Pocket passers are system players.
This is where Tebow is different. He relies less on a system than any other QB before him. Tebow himself is the system. His linemen create no pocket. His line is like a sieve.
Defenders are pouring through, hitting Tebow or pressuring him on every play before he even has a chance to catch the ball, yet Tebow uses his running ability to elude these defenders and get a pass off with a 6-foot-7 defensive lineman in his face.
Tebow uses his Pro Bowl linebacker's body to absorb monster hits while he is getting his passes off under immense pressure or to throw off would-be tacklers.
He uses his running back's speed that is the equal of Dennis Dixon and Vince Young to run both inside and outside of the tackles. This in turn opens his receivers' passing game and opens up lanes for his running backs rather than the other way around.
He uses his elite arm to take pressure of his own running game and his running backs.
No QB in history has had as many options as Tebow. Critics said Tebow amassed 55 touchdowns last season because he was running them in from two to five yards out.
But they ignore the fact that Tebow's running was what got his team to within a couple yards of the end zone in the first place.
Tebow wasn't filling the role of a finesse runner last season like other running QBs. He was the one pounding the ball up the middle, opening the perimeter for his receivers.
People don't realize it, but last season Tebow was filling the two toughest positions in football by himself: that of the prime running back, running the ball between the tackles; and the quarterback.
This is different than any other QB in the past. No other running QB has been as adept at both running and passing as Tebow, nor as durable on top of it.
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2 months ago
I was real worried with the headline, but I like where you went with this. A cool way to look at systems and unique players paving a way for the future.
2 months ago
Thanks Brian. I am glad you liked it. Sorry to worry you. I wanted to take that system label head-on though.
I am hoping in Tebow's case, because he is so unique and versatile and dominant, that he can change the connotation of "system QB". At least in his own case. I think Tebow should wear that label like a badge of honor, because he is such a freak of nature. He really is a one-man-system.. Hopefully they really do name the system after him. hah
2 months ago
Nice article. Well said, though I think it's a little early to write the obituary for the pocket passer just yet.
2 months ago
If I have the option of 2 QB's who are both great passers and only one is mobile, I'll take the mobile one.
2 months ago
I don't think pocket passers themselves are dead. I think you can make all kinds of different systems work if you are creative and have the players to make the system work. But I think the era of the pocket passer is dead. The problem is the NFL just hasn't accepted it yet. They are too afraid too change.
But if you were able to put the perfect team tougher you could still have a dominant pure passing offense. It is just so much harder than the past IMO. All of this is due to athletic parity as I see it. In the past I think the offenses had the most athletic players so they had the upper hand. They could dominate the defenses when well built. But not anymore. Now you have guys like Mario Williams coming after you. And the guys defending the superstar receivers are just as athletic.
2 months ago
I totally agree, J. You make great points. I think durability is huge with running QB's, too. Much more important than pure speed because no matter how fast you are... eventually you are going to get hit. and these finesse running QBs get injured when they get hit.
And yeah, Tebow had some injuries last season running, but he will never have to run that much up the middle like he did last season. But he has that option, which the finesse runners don't, and which opens the offense like we have never seen before.
Plus, Tebow is still learning. He has so much to learn.. it's as if he is learning two or three primary positions and even his coaches are still figuring out how to best utilize his groundbreaking abilities.
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