Tebow and the Colts: A Perfect Match

Indianapolis Colts GM Bill Polian needs no advice when it comes to making logical draft selections.  Polian pushes all the right buttons when selecting pieces to add to a Colts franchise that has been a dominant force in the NFL for the better part of a decade.

With that said, it doesn’t hurt to throw a suggestion or two his way in an effort to sustain the Colts’ dominance for another decade.

Speculation by NFL draft experts continues to swirl around Florida quarterback Tim Tebow’s abilities at the professional level.  There are those who believe Tebow will continue to thrive in the right system, and some who believe he is a backup/goal line specialist at best.

Tebow possesses quarterback qualities that cannot be measured at a combine or on film.  With a work ethic second to none and the maturity of a 10-year NFL veteran, Tebow is an ideal understudy for a quarterback like Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts.  

Manning, who will be 34 in March, has been healthy his entire career.  Selecting a backup for Manning has always been an afterthought for Polian.

Whether it’s Jim Sorgi or Curtis Painter serving as Manning’s backup at quarterback for the Colts, it really hasn’t mattered.  Manning is going to play each and every week.

Polian is smart enough to realize though, as Manning slowly creeps closer to 40, the bumps and bruises every NFL quarterback endures will start to compound. 

We witnessed firsthand how the Colts performed without Manning in the line-up during a Week 15 matchup with the Jets.  Manning was pulled from a meaningless game with the Colts leading and within minutes, reserve Curtis Painter had surrendered the game to the Jets.

Tebow would be an excellent addition to the Colts’ roster as the 32^nd pick in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft.

Still needing to improve upon his mechanics, who would be better than Manning to mentor Tebow?  With no pressure to perform the next three to five years, Tebow can strictly focus on becoming a solid NFL quarterback and the heir apparent to Manning.

Would that mean Tebow wouldn’t factor into the Colt’s immediate plans?  No, the athletic and game savvy left-hander could be utilized as another weapon in the Colts’ offensive arsenal.  The Colts could use his abilities as back-up tight end or H-back, as a red zone option quarterback, or as a special teams weapon.                

Tebow is the ultimate team player and will perform wherever he is asked to play. 

Is this the year Polian—who will eventually step aside and pass the Colt’s front office torch to his son Chris Polian—puts his final touch on the Colts franchise and drafts a quarterback like Tebow?

Tebow could be gone long before the Colts have the chance to select him, but if he does slide, don’t put it past Polian to set-up the franchise long after the Bill Polian and Peyton Manning years.