Watching Aaron Rodgers Today: Why Tim Tebow Probably Isn't Elway's Guy

Epiphanies can come at the strangest times and be driven by the deepest thoughts or dimmest images.

Then there are those that seem to jump right out at you. Or in my case, right off the screen.

It was the latter for my latest epiphany regarding why executive vice president of Broncos football operations John Elway seems to be having such a tough time envisioning Tim Tebow as his future quarterback.

It was driven by the image above: Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers playing quarterback against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving day. And through just the middle of the third quarter it became obvious (to me, anyway) why there is such an uproar in Bronco-land regarding the status of Tebow going forward. 

And maybe the best way to explain that is to do some comparing and contrasting between these two starting NFL quarterbacks.

Pedigrees: A California Bear vs. a Florida Gator

Both came from well known institutions of higher learning.

Both are state schools.

And both have a history of football excellence. Although Florida's is a bit deeper.

Aaron Rodgers attended the University of California-Berkley, a strong intellectual school.

Tim Tebow attended the University of Florida, a strong party school.

Both left holding most of the quarterback records there were in their respective programs.

And they are about as far apart geographically and socially as one can get. 

Rodgers played in a more pro-style scheme. Tebow did not.

Both are intelligent and were leaders on their college teams.

Advantage: Rodgers

Basic Quarterback Skills: Passing from the Pocket

Both are taller than average and can see over their offensive line when standing tall in the pocket.

Rodgers played in a more pro-style offense, where he passed from the pocket the majority of the time.

Tebow played from the Urban Meyer spread, where he was in the shotgun almost exclusively and threw a lot on the move.

This experience playing from the pocket gave Rodgers the leg up in being able to stand tall, read the defense and make the right decision without adding the need to roll out and look back across the field to his other receivers.

Rolling out splits your potential field in half, unless you are John Elway and can throw back across your body and across the field on a 40-yard rope. 

Advantage: Rodgers

Basic Quarterback Skills: Making Quick Reads

In the Packers-Lions game today, there were several plays where the receiver was making his break and the ball was there, on the spot, perfect lead and before the defense could respond.

This is what moves the chains, keeps drives alive and frustrates the crap out of the defensive backs.

Tebow is still trying to figure out the progressions and process that information in a timely basis to make those quick and correct throws.

Can he get better? Yes, and I think he will, but these weren't skills he brought to the NFL.

Advantage: Rodgers

Basic Quarterback Skills: Accuracy and Taking Care of Your Receivers

The difference between a completion, an in-completion, an interception and, worst of all, a wounded receiver is often a matter of inches.

And those inches are what separate the men from the boys, quarterback-wise.

In today's Packers game, almost every Rodgers pass was right where it was supposed to be. Not behind, not too high, thrown in stride for the receiver to make the catch but also to make yards after the catch.

And most importantly, they didn't put his receiver in harm's way by having to make an acrobatic catch, unprotected and vulnerable to a career-ending hit.

A lot of this comes with time and practice but some of it is just the type of ball the QB throws.

Tebow's balls are still not always on time, or on a rope and can float, causing the defense to catch up.

And receivers will go the extra mile, the extra reach and the extra dive to catch a ball from a QB who has their back (and other body parts) in mind when placing the ball.

At this point it is clear that there is a huge disparity between Rodgers and Tebow in all these areas.

Advantage Rodgers

Advanced Quarterback Skills: Making the Right Read on the Receiver's Position

This means anticipating where not only the receiver will be but where the defenders are and are going to be.

Donald Driver and Rodgers are two of the best at that. Another great pair was Brandon Lloyd and Kyle Orton. Orton would see the defender in front of Lloyd on a sideline route and drop the ball short, where only Lloyd could catch it.

Rodgers can do the same thing but also has the arm strength to push the ball just past the defender for the receiver to catch up and put it with no wobble and no float.

Again, some of this can be learned and improved, but it still takes great throwing mechanics and total faith in your arm.

Advantage: Rodgers

Preferred Quarterback Skill: Quick Release and over the Top Motion

This was something that really jumped out at me with Rodger's releases today. How quickly he made his reads is impressive, but more so was how quick the ball was out of his hand.

Several throws were made with a defender right on the back of the receiver but was there before he could react.

Part of that has to do with the natural arm strength that Rodgers has. His over the top snap release would make a perfect training film for any aspiring quarterback to study and learn from.

As we all know, Tebow's release will likely never approach that of Rodgers and probably won't have to for him to be successful. But it sure is a beautiful thing to watch.

Advantage: Rodgers

Nice-to-Have Skill: Running the Football

No quarterback in recent memory has the ability to run like Tebow does. Michael Vick and Vince Young may be quicker but they don't have the power to break tackles for those extra yards after contact.

Add this skill to Tebow's option ability and you have a very dangerous running combination. One that can eat up yardage but also the clock, allowing the defense to rest and be fresher when they are on the field.

And linemen just love to run block, racking up pancakes makes them smile.

Although Rodgers can run when required and is a very good athlete, he doesn't possess the same ability as Tebow.

As long as the injury bug doesn't bite, this will be a major offensive weapon for the Broncos.

Advantage: Tebow

Intangibles

This is an area where Tebow is off the charts. His college Rah-Rah is infectious to his teammates, as well as to his fan base.

He is a one-man cheerleading squad and has both the young guys and the veterans playing harder than they would have without Tebow's presence.

But when you watch Rodgers, you see an intangible as well. You see confidence, more quiet than Tebow's but one that he has earned by his leading his team to the promised land, a Super Bowl victory.

Both are successful right now and it is a hard call.

But I will say that Tebow's intangibles are a bit more fun to watch from the sidelines.

Advantage: Tebow

What Does This Mean to John Elway?

It means that when judging NFL quarterbacks, Elway is looking more at the current prototype exemplified by Aaron Rodgers and less at what may turn out to be the future of the position in Tim Tebow.

When you consider that Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers put away a pretty tough Detroit Lions home team with a strong defense today, and how badly the visiting Lions smacked the Broncos, it does add fuel to the Elway/Tebow fire. 

But Rodgers also made it look effortless. He finished his day 22 for 33, 307 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs.

What does all this mean? I have no real idea other than seeing how the current position of quarterback is played today by Rodgers, it makes a pretty sound argument to bet that Elway will be looking at quarterback options come draft day.

And the Packers are riding a 17-game winning streak and a Super Bowl win.

That can cause major quarterback envy in any football executive.

As well as in us fans.