Drafting Tim Tebow: Jacksonville Jaguars Procede With Caution

It has been rumored that the Jacksonville Jaguars would draft Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow if he is to enter the 2010 NFL Draft. Although he is a talented college level quarterback, leading the Gators to three BCS National Championships, there are certain characteristics about his playing style that scare some NFL analysts and fans.

Tebow's Throwing Arm

In the words of Jimmy Johnson "his elongated throwing motion will make it hard to throw an accurate pass in the fast paced game of the pros." He is exactly right, the NFL is certainly the fasted football game to be played and has to be a split-second decision maker for any player. In college, players are preparing for their shot at the NFL, where as the NFL is the "big deal." This hazard for Tebow might lead to some fumbles or interceptions from players like Troy Polamalu who are some of the fastest in the game.

The Running Game

Tebow certainly was known for his offensive style of running the ball into the end zone himself, but in the NFL this strategy would not end pretty. Heading straight on into traffic end exactly how it sounds... Getting run over. Having a 300lbs lineman who has been in the league for 5 years or more running at your quarterback just sounds like a train-wreck. Tebow's running style would cause injury to a starting quarterback and could end worse.

My conclusion

Tebow reminds me of Danny Weurffel in some ways- he's won the Heisman Trophy, won a National Championship, and he's gone onto the NFL. But did Weurffel succeed? No, he was put in a situation where he did not do well. Especially under a coach already under fire for being good in the NCAA and terrible in the NFL. In my honest opinion I think Tebow will be set up to fail if he goes to the NFL unless he changes his playing strategy. Another side of this is that Gator fans will be filtered into the Jaguar fan section to watch Jacksonville games which will boost their income and attendance since Jacksonville and Gainsville are not that far away.