For the uninitiated, what's the deal with Tebow? I know that he's the poster boy for the pro-life lobby, and a multi-garlanded, Heisman-winning QB. But I read somewhere the suggestion that his game "might not adapt to the NFL" and that, arguably, he shouldn't have been a first-round draft.
Why?
PS That Ndamukong Suh... cripes, he's a solidly-built lad, isn't he?!
He definitely shouldn't have been a first round pick.
1. He's a development pick who many analysts don't expect to be NFL ready for another couple of years. It's bad value to get a pick who may or may not pan out 3 years down the line, whilst you pay him 1st Round money and watch your team get beaten by 1st round picks who are NFL ready.
2. His mechanics are bad. Slow release, some poor footwork although these are apparently being addressed.
3. Neither his arm strength nor accuracy is thought to be elite by NFL standards.
4. His college record (and his numbers are very good) is inflated by (a) the system Florida play, the spread, which inflates numbers and (b) playing for a really good team against some not very good teams. He might have won the Heisman but there are plenty of examples of Heisman winners who haven't made an impact in the NFL - Troy Smith who won it the year before Tebow was drafted in the 5th round for example.
5. He had a really poor showing at the Senior Bowl, which along with the Combine (where Tebow elected not to throw) are the two major chances for players to improve their draft stock once the season ends.
6. Quite a few analysts reckon he profiles better as either a tight end or a full-back. There was one full-back taken in the 5th round (139th pick) and another taken in the 7th round, with the 245th pick.
7. The Broncos gave up half of their draft with their 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks to the Ravens, who are divisional rivals of my Bengals (cheers for that, as if the AFC North wasn't already tough enough without idiots overpaying) when they have loads of holes that need filling.
8. There were better QBs still available.
The media are in absolute love with him as this clean-living All-American idol. They are so sycophantic towards him it is really nauseating. His main asset is considered to be his intangibles - things which conveniently aren't measurable, (and coincidentally only ever seem to apply to white players) such as "leadership" (ie holding prayer meetings and having bible verse in his eye paint) and being a "winner" (playing for a really good college side), although he's physically very strong and powerful which is why some think he'd make a better FB or TE.
I'm not saying he won't end up as a decent NFL player, it's just there were far better, safer, alternatives with probably as much, if not more up-side.
