Can Tebow work in the NFL?

by OSUMoneyball on Nov 13, 2009 9:27 PM EST Comment 61 comments

This is a question I have been thinking about for a while. It might be because I am drinking the Tebow Kool-Aid. It also might be because I do not want to pass up on the best leader in the draft. But what would it take for Tebow to succeed in the NFL? I'm sure it is a question that a lot of NFL GM's are trying to answer. So I would like to take my non-expertise knowledge in trying to predict how the Browns would need to act in order for Tebow to make them into a contender.

First the Browns will need to fully commit to creating a system, meaning many if not all of their picks in the first 3 rounds to get players that fit the system. And that system would need to have some aspects that last years Florida Gator offense had. The most important thing they would need is a great offensive line, I think that kind of would go without saying. Next they need the Percy Harvin, "Flex" receiver. The best thing about this is, the Browns already have this in Joshua Cribbs. Also needed is a "Speed" back, something else that I think the Browns have in James Davis. After that a little deviation from the Florida system would be needed, and that would need to be an all purpose back, #1 RB, would be needed. Last thing needed would be a good TE.

Going with our current picks, of course the Browns would need to draft Tebow with their first round pick. Then I think the Browns will need to draft an offensive linemen with their second round pick. With their next pick, whether it is the NY Jets pick being bumped up to a 2nd round pick or their early 3rd round pick, the Browns would need to take RB or another offensive linemen to add depth to that position. They could also draft a TE, if they see a good one. I would rather them not take a RB here, as in vision I have different ideas.

The RB position could be a tricky one. If the Browns used the previous mention pick to get a RB like Toby Gerhart (if he fell this far like Walter Football's mock draft has him), I wouldn't cringe at the fact. Other possibilities at RB could be signing a free agent like LenDale White, or waiting until 2011 to get a RB like Joe McKnight (if he doesn't come out early).

In order to develop Tebow, the Browns will have to keep Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn, as Tebow's mechanical issues will need some time to be addressed. Possibly even keeping both to ensure Tebow is not made a full-time starter unless abosolute disaster hits. To fix Tebow's mechanical issues the Browns will need to hire a very good QB coach. They will also need to commit to the Wildcat for 1 year. This way they can get Tebow into the game for some game expirence, and yet they are not completely exposing Tebow's weaknesses.

The followiing draft the Browns would need to address the missing parts, a Joe McKnight as previously mentioned, or a #1 WR like an AJ Green.

If the Browns decided to do this, there are a few Pros and Cons to this:

Pros:

1. If Tebow works out, the Browns have a Peyton Manning like leader.

2. Tebows personality and work ethic would go perfectly with Eric Mangini (assuming Mangini is still in Cleveland)

3. If Quinn or Anderson somehow drastically improve while Tebow develops, we might actually be able to get something out of them

4. No more Brady Quinn (Ok this is a personal Pro)

5. If it doesn't work out, the concentration on the offensive line could keep us going in the right direction.

Cons:

1 Odds are against it working

2. Will be sacrificing developement of the defense

3. IF IT DOESN'T WORK OUT, IT COULD SET US BACK MANY YEARS

Now I want to make it clear that this is not what I want the Browns to do. But going down the road Tim Tebow's draft prospect will be looked at highly. I personally would like to see the exact opposite done, in concentrating on making the defense great.

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Comments

You don’t draft a guy in the top 5 for his leadership abilities.

by Buckeye Brad on Nov 13, 2009 9:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If the Browns take Tebow in the first, I’ll go root for Buffalo.

by golanbatrac on Nov 13, 2009 9:40 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

same, and REC.

by emily522 on Nov 13, 2009 10:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So you can keep rooting for one of the Capt. Checkdowns?

by Chief WaDrew on Nov 14, 2009 6:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

YES! I needed an excuse to listen and post this YouTube video / song. Just made my day, well until 3:30 anyway.

by Simmsinns on Nov 14, 2009 1:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I knew you would appreciate that.

by Chief WaDrew on Nov 14, 2009 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think leading a bunch of impressionable college kids with a rallying speech after a tough loss is A LOT different than a bunch of grown me. That being said, I am really interested in what is going to happen to him at the NFL level. I personally hate him, mostly because he’s from Florida and he seems to be Mr. Goody Two Shoes which means he’s prolly the devil. But I think most of my hatred just comes from his team being really good.

I really think though you are right track for what a team needs to do to make him comfortable. I already thought of Miami being the perfect landing place for him. But I think the state that the Browns are in and the teams we have to play against, I don’t want to be the team that experiments with him. Let someone else take him. If he works out then good for them.

by jsneides on Nov 13, 2009 9:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

*grown men

by jsneides on Nov 13, 2009 9:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

aside from liking tebow for his leadership skills alone, i think your idea of building an NFL offense that replicates Florida’s is a great idea… if the Browns were looking for a BCS bid. But the old cliche that the game speeds up at the pro level is all too true, and having James Davis as the “speed back” and Cribbs as a “flex receiver” is not going to work against NFL defenses. There’s a reason you don’t see the option run at the pro level.

You are reading my signature.

by rolub on Nov 13, 2009 9:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

i am interested in seeing how tebow does in the nfl. but let’s watch him bust with another team. browns won’t draft him. no way.

by emily522 on Nov 13, 2009 10:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

LenDale White and Joe McKnight both are bad.

And James Davis isn’t a speed back.

by TheRealSlimShady on Nov 13, 2009 10:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

White needs to pick up the tequila again. He was better when he was drinking.

Author of the segment "A Brownie For Your Thoughts," on DBN. Check it out.

by SpecialBrownie on Nov 13, 2009 11:46 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Tebow may very well translate into an NFL caliber QB. But, as an insurance guy, the risk is too great for a team that continues to miss on draft picks and coaches.

No matter what style defense, no matter what FO and Coaching staff is brought in, Eric Berry is my first pick in the upcoming Draft.

This team needs a hammer at safety and Berry is that guy!

Can any one Browns Employee be competent?

by Dawg26 on Nov 14, 2009 12:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

We need to focus on our D and try to find a Qb in free agency even if it is (dear god I can’t believe I’m saying this) Pennington or Mcnabb

by North Coast Flea on Nov 14, 2009 4:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

There are talents available at the position and discontented second stringers that deserve consideration before we commit ourselves to drafting a first day QB.
I repeat the top three prospects from my list of QB´s I´m considering:
1. Jared Zabransky
2. David Carr
3. Chris Pizzotti

by mooncamping on Nov 14, 2009 10:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

And if Jay Cutler´s line in Chicago keeps handing out gratuitous sacks and the receivers keep leaving balls uncontested, I´ll be the first to make a case for him not having found a home, yet.
The Erie Dawgs would love Jay Cutler.

by mooncamping on Nov 14, 2009 11:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that minus the big mouthed WRs in the league (Ochocinco and TO), Jay Cutler is the player I would be most embarrassed to have on my football team. He strikes me as the biggest cry baby I have seen in the NFL in a long time (well, maybe minus TO). I’d seriously consider not being a Browns fan if Cutler ended up on the team. I won’t root for the guy.

by shep615 on Nov 15, 2009 7:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jay Cutler is a standup guy. And he is arguably still the most talented QB in the NFL.
If there is even a remote chance to get him fairly, he´s numero uno for the Browns.

by mooncamping on Nov 16, 2009 8:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn’t mind trying to build an offense that uses kind of a unique scheme, but I wouldn’t want us to rely on that scheme. And there are players late in the draft that we can take to make a package(like the Wildcat) for.

Darryll Clark has a strong arm, is very mobile, built like a power runningback, and doesn’t run a spread in college.

Jarrett Brown has a lot of potential and could be a WR in the NFL, but I think he would be a good gimmick QB.

Dexter McCluster is EXPLOSIVE and can play slot receiver or speed running back.

by TheRealSlimShady on Nov 14, 2009 11:16 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Clark is garbage as far as the next level goes.
Everyone seems to be missing the point that the dolphins have 2 stud running backs that make the wildcat go. Cribbs, Jarret Brown, Jerome Harrison…., none of these guys is exactly Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams (say what you will but Williams would certainly be an upgrade from anything the Browns have had in a long while)- and the Miami wildcat works because of both backs, not just one or the other.

by L Train on Nov 14, 2009 12:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

100% correct.

by golanbatrac on Nov 14, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I said something like the wildcat, not specifically the wildcat.

by TheRealSlimShady on Nov 14, 2009 1:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

so you’re saying someone should come up with a gimmick offense that works for this personnel.. hey, that would be great, but even the single wing it ain’t happening or working with this crew.

by L Train on Nov 15, 2009 3:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1, Ronnie Brown is a beast.

by Roger Dorn on Nov 15, 2009 11:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

clark>garbage; and he will be no worse in the NFL than troy smith.

by Dawg Nuts on Nov 15, 2009 11:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hard to say what Troy Smith can do in the NFL. Smith had a lot more success against good defense in college and he is way, way more accurate. Clark may be a little faster and bigger. Don’t really get the comparison at all, actually.

I love Troy Smith.

I do think Clark is a viable prospect for as an NFL QB. But probably not worthy of a day 1 pick.

by Ryan Kelsey on Nov 15, 2009 1:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Clark also has a stronger arm and can throw a pretty good deep ball.

No one said he will be a first day pick. I think he will go in the 5th or 6th round.

by TheRealSlimShady on Nov 15, 2009 1:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not a stronger arm than Smith, but he does have a strong arm.

by Ryan Kelsey on Nov 15, 2009 1:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i only made the comparison to smith because on this site, while we’re all brownies, i’m a lonely penn state fan in a sea of buckeyes, and there was a discussion last week about how awesome troy smith could be. i see things in clark that could translate to pro success too. not so much a direct comparison of the two, just trying to add a psu fan’s opinion.

by Dawg Nuts on Nov 15, 2009 2:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m wearing a Penn State hat right now.

Not a fan, though.

by golanbatrac on Nov 15, 2009 4:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fair enough. Like I said, I do like Clark and think he has a shot to succeed in the NFL. But I just don’t Smith is a good comp for him. Clark: Size and Speed. Smith: Accuracy and Arm Strength.

by Ryan Kelsey on Nov 15, 2009 8:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think Clark has a stronger arm than Smith.

by TheRealSlimShady on Nov 15, 2009 9:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t sleep on Troy Smith’s speed. Remember that Troy returned kicks for the Buckeyes before becoming a full-time QB in 2003.

That was a team with Gamble, Jenkins, Holmes, Carter, Gonzo, etc.

by Bernie19Kosar on Nov 18, 2009 2:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fair enough. Like I said, I do like Clark and think he has a shot to succeed in the NFL. But I just don’t Smith is a good comp for him. Clark: Size and Speed. Smith: Accuracy and Arm Strength.

by Ryan Kelsey on Nov 15, 2009 8:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i’ll give you that one.

by Dawg Nuts on Nov 16, 2009 12:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

OK, you guys might blast me for this, but I can’t help it :-) Troy Smith has a 74 throw accuracy rating in Madden 2008 (his rookie year… I play on CPU and can’t get any of the later versions) and you can’t complete passes with him. He’s not very accurate… at least not on Madden (which will matter once Madden NFL becomes the litmus test on how good prospects are… haha)

by shep615 on Nov 15, 2009 7:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Umm… Then don’t use Troy Smith?

by TheRealSlimShady on Nov 15, 2009 7:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well I know that. I wasn’t trying to say I want to use Troy Smith at all. I was simply commenting on the idea that was mentioned that Troy Smith is way more accurate than Clark. It’s my impression that Troy Smith isn’t all that accurate at all, and if that’s the case… I’d steer clear of Clark. Of course, my impression does come from Madden NFL 2008, but then again… What more does anyone really have to go on?

by shep615 on Nov 15, 2009 7:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Smith is a very, very, very accurate QB.

Madden is a video game.

by Ryan Kelsey on Nov 15, 2009 8:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed on the bit about Madden… It has proved to be quite unrealistic in many other areas.

But on Smith? I mean, I’ll admit I haven’t kept close tabs on him, but I didn’t think he has had enough playing time to know how accurate he is.

Again, I haven’t kept very close tabs on him. Are we going off of what he did in college? I didn’t watch him in college (not the biggest college football fan and DEFINITELY not an OSU fan…). I know he put up impressive numbers, but was he accurate? I’m guessing he was, I’ll take your word for it.

by shep615 on Nov 15, 2009 8:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I’m going off of college and the few times I’ve seen him play on the Ravens. If Smith has one NFL-caliber skill- it’s accuracy. (Not to say he doesn’t have others, but I’d consider that his biggest strength.)

by Ryan Kelsey on Nov 16, 2009 12:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Call me a goof, but I’d love to acquire Troy Smith for next year assuming Quinn doesn’t show anything.

by joeee on Nov 15, 2009 9:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Let me guess, Derek Anderson is probably awesome in that game.

Video Games don’t help us here.

by Bernie19Kosar on Nov 18, 2009 2:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, Derek Anderson sucks in that game. My comment was meant to be more of a lighthearted comment, I wasn’t trying to be serious. However, I was trying to make a serious inquiry as to Smith’s accuracy.

As I said, I know he put up impressive numbers at OSU, but I’m not normally sold just because of numbers in college. Since the NFL is comprised of the best of the best (well, mostly), the window for error is significantly smaller than in college. So even if Smith were to complete… I dunno, 80% of his passes and had a QB rating of 120 for his years as a starter, I would still probably be skeptical (well, those are pretty phenomenal numbers, so I would be inclined to be less skeptical of those numbers…). That’s why I asked about his accuracy, even knowing he put up good numbers at OSU. Quite frankly, as cliche as it really is, college and the NFL are completely different games.

by shep615 on Nov 19, 2009 12:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

what makes you say clark doesn’t run a spread?

by Dawg Nuts on Nov 15, 2009 11:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Because he doesn’t

by TheRealSlimShady on Nov 15, 2009 1:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

From the few times I’ve watched Penn State this season, it seems like they have used the “Spread HD” a little less than the last couple years. It is a hybrid pro-style/spread offense though.

by Ryan Kelsey on Nov 15, 2009 1:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

exactly right. they have run it less this year, but they still run it, and ran it regularly last year when they won the big ten.

by Dawg Nuts on Nov 15, 2009 2:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Naw. his wobbly passes won’t translate well into the nfl

by Rocland on Nov 14, 2009 7:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

All I had to do is read the title of this post,

DO NOT DRAFT TEBOW. HE IS WORSE THAN BRADY AND ANDERSON, IF HE IS INCONSISTENT AT A COLLEGE LEVEL, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK HE WILL BE BETTER IN THE NFL?

R.I.P. Tony Fein
May God watch over you wherever you are now and may you be in a better place. We will never forget you!

by Baltimore Warrior on Nov 14, 2009 9:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Tebow and the Florida offense isn’t consistent in the SEC. I don’t see how it would work in the AFC North. Quinn was a great “leader” in college too. That doesn’t mean anything to me.

Whoever takes Tebow before the 4th round is a fool. Unless he is willing to become a FB/TE. Then maybe the 3rd round.

by Ryan Kelsey on Nov 15, 2009 11:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

agree with every word.

by Dawg Nuts on Nov 15, 2009 11:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What I mean by inconsistent is that he is barely ever breaking the 200 yard passing mark in college.

What makes people think he will do any better in the NFL?

R.I.P. Tony Fein
May God watch over you wherever you are now and may you be in a better place. We will never forget you!

by Baltimore Warrior on Nov 15, 2009 12:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not at all a fan of a Tebow pickup for the Browns. When you have a lot of holes in your squad I don’t think it is a good idea to go with an untried and questionable scheme. Part of the problem with me is that I do not like QBs that make more plays with their legs than their arms. The scheme with such a QB has to depend on that particular person’s athleticism. Couple that with the tendency for them to get hurt and your backup better have the same athleticism and tendencies. I just think that is a tall order and a bad strategy to follow.
There is a lot to like about Tebow but I think the risk/reward is to high. The Browns need to stick with tried and true.

Brownsyup

by Brownsyup on Nov 16, 2009 9:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Unless we draft before Jacksonville, he will be gone. For their struggling attendance they are drooling at keeping Tebow in town…if they dont get him they may end up in LA.

LA Jaguars, that kinda has a nice ring to it…

by Red-Right-88 on Nov 19, 2009 9:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs