Tim Tebow vs. Brett Favre: Who Has the Better NFL Season?
As one wonderchild starts to fade out (someday, maybe, probably) another one has emerged in Tim Tebow.
The rookie out of Florida already leads the league in jersey sales and is the topic of conversation in most league circles. Brett Favre, as always at this time of the year, is on everyone's lips as it looks like he is poised to make another comeback.
As the two get underway this season, I'll answer the question, based on a number of factors, of who's going to have the better season—Favre or Tebow?
No. 1: Playing Time
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See that photo of Tim Tebow practicing?
That's pretty much the only way you'll see Tebow in action this year. Coach Josh McDaniels has said repeatedly that Kyle Orton is the starting quarterback and that Tebow is competing for the backup job with Brady Quinn.
While Denver may draw up certain packages to take advantage of Tebow's skills, he won't see nearly as much playing time as Favre, who will be the unquestioned starter in Minnesota.
Advantage: Favre
No. 2: Work Ethic
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As you can see, Favre is really working hard to get back on the field to rejoin his team and make a push for a Super Bowl.
To be honest, Brett Favre is the worst kind of teammate. He thinks about himself, he's weaseled out of time at training camp, and, in my opinion, waited on his ankle surgery so he could miss more time during the preseason. He's a diva and is holding out for attention and probably more money.
Yet, people still fall all over Favre and vilify Terrell Owens. What gives?
Tebow, on the other hand, made sure he was in camp on time and has been working hard since before the draft to improve his throwing motions and the rest of his game.
He's come into camp and won over the veterans on the team through his will to improve. That's something that can solidify a team, even if you're not under center every Sunday.
Advantage: Tebow
No. 3: Injury
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To say that Brett Favre has been injured from time-to-time during his career would be a massive understatement.
Favre has injured almost every part of his body at one time or another and has gone under the knife countless times, including ankle surgery this past offseason. It's the twilight of Favre's career, and at age 40 his body doesn't respond like it used to. We could see another year of Favre working through various ailments.
Tebow, on the other hand, is built like a brick house and withstood the punishment of his playing style through four years of college. But this is the pros, and players are much bigger and faster—something Tebow learned last weekend, after taking a blindside hit that led to a fumble and the big hit he took on his scrambling touchdown.
However, Tebow's younger, bigger, and stronger and should hold up, especially with a decreased workload.
Advantage: Tebow
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No. 4: Schedule
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Both Favre and Tebow don't play in the deepest divisions in the NFL. Minnesota is the top dog in the NFC North with Green Bay following. Meanwhile, Denver is behind San Diego in the AFC West. Being out west, the Broncos get four games against Kansas City and Oakland -- something that should be four easy wins. The Vikings get four games against Detroit and Chicago, something that will be a little bit tougher with Mike Martz pulling the strings on the offense in Chicago.
Out of the division, the Vikings get the AFC and NFC East, two tough divisions with a couple great defenses to go against. The Broncos drew the AFC South and the NFC West, a much easier to travel in terms of the schedule.
Did I mention the Vikings open against the Saints? Oh yeah, that too.
Advantage: Tebow
No. 5: Offensive Weapons
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Brett Favre has one of the best running backs in the league in Adrian Peterson, a whole cast of of wideouts and a solid tight end in Visanthe Shiancoe. Tim Tebow has....well, no one really. Brandon Marshall is gone and all that's left is Knowshon Moreno in the backfield and a couple decent wideouts.
Favre has weapons for days while Tebow has Eddie Royal and Brandon Stokley. They aren't terrible, but they aren't as good as Favre's.
Advantage: Favre
No. 6: Coaching
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Okay, Brad Childress isn't Vince Lombardi. Not even close. I'm not a Childress fan. I think he's undermined his team and their faith in him by pleading for Favre to come back the past two years. It's the Minnesota Favre's, not the Vikings and I think some members on the team have to resent Childress and Favre for the circus that has consumed them the past two years.
Josh McDaniels, on the other hand, has really taken the reigns and laid down the law and the Broncos have responded and rallied around their coach. While the Broncos weren't worldbeaters last year, I'd rather have the coach that players respect and want to play for as opposed to a coach who constantly toys with his team.
Advantage: Tebow
No. 7: Intangibles
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Both quarterbacks have a certain aura around them. Tebow reached god-like status at Florida and was able to do amazing things. That aura has already transferred over to Denver, and has won over veterans with his poise, humility and dedication. It's inspired the Broncos' fanbase and has put a little buzz around Denver that had been missing for a while.
Favre has always been that gun-slinger, feast-or-famine quarterback that can cause extreme joy or anguish. Just take Favre's touchdown to Greg Lewis against San Francisco and his interception against New Orleans in the NFC Championship game. Brett can be the reason you win a game, and the reason you lose it. He turned the Vikings from a first round playoff team to a Super Bowl contender and there's something to be said with that.
However, Favre's behavior has to hurt his standing in the locker room, even if players are flying down to bring him back to camp.
Advantage: Tebow
No. 8: Physical Skills
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Outside of this sweet football trick, Favre has a once-in-a-generation cannon for an arm and the unreal ability to play through pain and suffer injury after injury and keep going. Tebow is the type of player who can also take punishment but not suffer injury because of his sheer size. Tebow bounces off of tacklers and keeps going. On the other hand, Tebow's arm motion and strength isn't anywhere near Favre's. Plus, Brett has already proved that he can handle the rigors of an NFL schedule, something that may become a big question with Tebow.
Advantage: Favre
No. 9: Versatility
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Back in the day, Brett Favre made things happen through the air and the ground, making throws on the run and filling up highlight reels with the plays he could make outside of the pocket. That's happened less and less for Favre, something that should happen even less following ankle surgery that Brett still isn't confident in.
Tebow on the other hand can make plays through the air and with his feet. Tebow has shown the ability to be able to get that tough yard by using his size and power to keep churning. Tebow is younger and more spry and will be featured in some interesting packages this year in Denver.
Advantage: Tebow
No. 10: Leadership
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Brett Favre has always been The Man with whatever team he's been with (I'm not counting Atlanta). He's led his team into battle for years and rallied his team to plenty of victories. He walked into New York and Minnesota and turned both teams around, regardless of what happened by the end of his time in the Jets, he still had them as a Super Bowl favorite at one point.
Tebow also became The Man in Florida and was so beloved by everyone at Florida, from players, coaches and students. While he's not the focal point in Denver, he's going to be a positive influence in the locker room. However, Favre will be the leader and Tebow will be holding a clipboard.
Advantage: Favre
Bottom Line
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While Tim Tebow had the edge in a lot of categories, the thing that cannot be ignored is the fact that Brett Favre will be on the field every Sunday and Tim Tebow will not be. Tebow's going to be featured from time-to-time -- Josh McDaniels would be stupid not to. However, the Vikings are a Super Bowl contender and if Favre has the type of season he did last year, there's no reason they won't be playing in the Super Bowl when it's all said and done.
Better Season: Favre
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