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The college football season is over; withdrawals, depression, misery. Before you slip into an apathetic stupor for eight months, remember that the NFL Draft is just around the corner! From now until April's NFL Draft, I will be profiling some of the more interesting prospects. I can't promise that I'll get to your favorite player, but if you'd like to see a certain player profiled, shoot us an email and let us know.
- 2010 NFL Draft Player Rankings by Position
Oh, Tim Tebow. His pro potential is almost as polarizing as his Super Bowl commercial. On the one hand, you have those who point out Tebow's trouble taking snaps from center at Senior Bowl practice and his awkward release. On the other hand, you have those who point to his intangibles, leadership, etc. I can't remember the last time that some analysts have argued a player is the best prospect in the draft, while others have argued that he shouldn't be drafted at all. There have been a lot of fans and analysts saying that Tebow would be better suited as an H-back in the NFL. We've all seen what he can do on the ground; don't forget he is the SEC career leader in rushing touchdowns and is not shy about taking on defenders. He is similar to Vince Young in size and speed (both are clocked at about 4.6 in the 40). They are both steady types of runners, with Young a bit more elusive and Tebow a bit more 'bruising'. Young successfully ran the spread option offense at Texas and Tebow has given the spread option all kinds of air time.
The spread offense has grown in popularity in college, but the NFL has been slower to adapt. Young has struggled to develop into a prolific passing quarterback in the NFL, which may be indicative of Tebow's ability to transition from a spread option offense to a pro-style offense. Of course, Tebow could revolutionize the quarterback position, as Young was supposed to, or the spread offense could gain in popularity in the pros, but that's a scenario best discussed some other time...and one that I doubt becomes a reality.
If you ask me, Tebow will not be next great NFL quarterback. Shocking stuff, I know. But he will get the opportunity with whichever team decides to draft him, as well he should. If you look at guys like Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, one of the keys to their success is the way they lead their teams (another shocker) and leadership is not lost on Tebow.
In order to develop into that every down pocket passer, or even an every down quarterback period, Tebow will have to rework almost everything he knows about playing the position. Of course, if anybody has the drive and dedication to do it, it's Tebow.
At the next level, he'll likely be used in special situations like the Wild Cat, or could have plays drawn especially for him. Whether this becomes his career-long role, or whether he is able to prove all the doubters wrong and become an every down passing quarterback is yet to be seen.
That brings us to Tebow's likely draft spot. Most people are predicting he'll be drafted anywhere from the middle of the first round to sometime in the second round and this is probably a good prediction. If I were playing War Room General, I wouldn't take him until Round 2. Anything earlier for a 10-downs- a-game quarterback is just too high.
Tebow may end up being this year's Aaron Rodgers or Matt Leinart, only instead of watching him fall out of the top 10 or 15, we'll be watching to see if Tebow slips past the first round. Jacksonville has supposedly expressed interest in the hometown hero, while DraftCountdown.com has an interesting projection of its own: New England at #22 overall. Why? "It's no secret that Bill Belichick is a big fan of the Florida program, plus he has been searching for the right guy to implement the Wild Cat into New England's offense."
Could he be groomed as Brady's eventual successor while in the meantime working out of the Wild Cat? Hmm. - Danny Hobrock
- For more player profiles and complete coverage of this Year's NFL Draft, visit our NFL Draft Prospects Home Page with new profiles being added each week.
Danny is a sports journalist primarily covering college football and professional baseball. His work for Xtra Point Football has garnered national attention and is critically acclaimed. Danny is the former editor of a political and current events website and the editor of our college football content.
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