http://gty.im/178405658
Tim Tebow is officially back in the NFL, as reports have confirmed that he will be signing a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. The New England Patriots released Tebow on August 31, 2013, causing many football critics and analysts to believe that his NFL career had come to an end.
http://gty.im/466111285
After his release from the Patriots, ESPN hired him as an analyst for the SEC Network in December 2013. He seemed comfortable in front of the camera and quickly became known as one of the better analysts.
Tebow never really closed the door on an NFL return, claiming in January 2014 that he was continuing to improve as a signal-caller. As the need for quarterbacks increased around the league, whether because of injuries or because teams needed depth, Tebow’s name regularly surfaced as an option.
In spite of the rumors, few believed that Tebow would get another chance in the NFL, but that changed after the surprise workout the Eagles gave him in March of 2015. After the workout the Eagles did not sign Tebow, but their interested suggested that his NFL days may not be over just yet.
http://gty.im/78690115
At the University of Florida, Tebow was a superstar, winning two national championships and also a Heisman Trophy. The Broncos selected him in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft but he did not live up to his hype. After playing sparingly as a rookie in 2010, he started 11 games in the 2011 season, and the Broncos went 7-4 with Tebow under center, as they advanced to the AFC Divisional playoffs.
After being traded to the New York Jets he was released in 2013 and picked up by the New England Patriots.
With the Eagles, Chip Kelly – who favors a mobile quarterback under center in his high-speed offense, will attempt to work his magic and see what he can squeeze out of Tebow. The Eagles officially have 4 quarterbacks on the roster now: the injury-prone Sam Bradford, the inconsistent Mark Sanchez, and 3rd-year pro Matt Barkley, who has attempted less than 50 career passes to date.
If Tebow is as accurate as he says he is, there could be an interesting duel developing for the quarterback position in Philadelphia. One of the biggest knocks on Tebow has stemmed from his mechanics – his awkward throwing motion leaves the ball in mid-air without a tight spiral, leading to ugly throws that have ended up more times on the ground that in the hands of a teammate (47.9% career completion rate).
Nobody questions Tebow’s heart or his competitiveness, but if he is going to succeed as an NFL quarterback, there can be absolutely no question about his passing accuracy. Kelly is also putting a lot on the line here, as his personnel moves this NFL offseason have left many observers questioning his vision for the team. The relationship between an NFL head coach and his quarterback is always a unique one, and if Tebow is able to make the roster and is even named starter, the dynamic between Kelly and Tebow will shape the direction of Philadelphia’s season.
