The Tim Tebow Debate

There is a chapter in Brian Billick's new book that discusses the ability to assess and project the ability of a quarterback in the NFL. Billick is quoting as saying that when it comes to evaluating QBs in the NFL "nobody knows anything." This is a great quote, and coming from an experienced NFL head coach, a very telling statement. Take a look around the NFL and the most successful QBs come from all different avenues. You have high, top picks like Peyton Manning. You have a 6th round pick like Tom Brady. You have an undrafted player like Tony Romo. There is no true answer to who is going to be a bonafide franchise QB. Once you get that franchise player, then you can really be considered a contender year in and year out. When you look at this year's crop of QBs, there are questions attached to each one. Sam Bradford has shoulder and durability concerns, Jimmy Clausen has leadership concerns, Colt McCoy has durability and physical limitations, and Tim Tebow has fundamental issues. Out of the four, Bradford is rated the highest, Clausen in second, and many people have either McCoy third and Tebow fourth or vice-versa. If I was a talent evaluator, my number one QB headed into the draft would be Tim Tebow.

I know that sounds pretty ballsy and ridiculous, but here's why Tebow is my choice for this year's draft: First, Tebow has the mental makeup to be one of the best QBs in the league. Mentally is where a lot of quarterbacks fail in the NFL. Phil Simms once told a story about how all the best QBs in the NFL are really hard on themselves, teammates and coaches. Basically, they are jerks when they get into the meeting rooms and on the practice fields. They demand excellence from themselves and their teammates. Tebow certainly fills that criteria and is someone who will do whatever it takes to be successful at his position. Secondly, leadership is a huge factor in not only playing QB, but leading the organization. Tebow is considered one of the best leaders ever to play college football. He will walk into a NFL locker room and demand respect from the moment he shows up at that facility. Thirdly, Tebow has the physical ability to play the position at a high level. You don't just throw for that many yards and touchdowns in the SEC by not having the physical skills. Yes, he needs to work on his fundamentals as a QB, but if he goes to the right team, he can work on those skills and in time develop into one of the best QBs in the league.

Mark my words now: Tim Tebow will be a very successful NFL QB. If he goes to the right situation, many teams will rue the day that they doubted and passed on Tebow.

Offseason Musings

The NFL decided that they were not going to release the Opening week primetime games and the Thanksgiving slate this year at the Owner's meetings. It is rumored that the league is still figuring out and working on the schedule. Presumably, the holdup has been linked to the NFL giving the Jets the Monday Night home opener.

-The NFL changed it's overtime playoff format. Now, the team that receives the ball can win the game only if it scores a touchdown on their first possession. If they kick a field goal, then the other team gets a chance to respond. I didn't mind the old sudden death rule, but I am not opposed to this new change. Besides, in the playoffs there are only about an average of 1 game per playoff season that goes to overtime.

-Finally, the big rumors and news around the NFL is the possible trade of Donovan McNabb. McNabb has been linked to St. Louis and Oakland.

-All is quiet right now on the Brandon Marshall front. I expect Marshall to be traded by the time the NFL Draft rolls around. Seattle could still be the destination, but you have to watch out for the Jets.

Schedule Tweaks Version 3.0

The NFL looks to announce the opening weekend primetime games and the Thanksgiving games tomorrow at the Owner's Meetings in Orlando. Here are my tweaks on what games will be announced. I made some adjustments based on the information that was being leaked in the past few days. Here we go.....

Opening Night
Thursday September 9th:
Minnesota at New Orleans (NBC)


Sunday Night Football Opener:
San Diego at Indianapolis (NBC)

Monday Night Football Doubleheader:
Miami at New York Jets (ESPN)

Game #2
San Francisco at Seattle (ESPN)


Thanksgiving:
Early Game:
New England at Detroit (CBS)
Late Game:
Chicago at Dallas (FOX)
Night Game:
Green Bay at New York Jets (NFLN)

Opening Schedule Tweaks

Last week the NFL announced that the Giants will christen their new stadium by playing the first regular season game on Sunday September 12th, and the Jets will play the following night on Monday Night football, so both NY teams get to play in the new stadium on opening weekend. It is not a bad idea and a good compromise for both teams, especially the Jets who now feel slighted about everything. Also, the NFL announced that the Jets will get to host the Thanksgiving Night game on NFL Network. With these moves being announced, here is my revised opening weekend marquee matchups and Thanksgiving games:

Opening Night
Thursday September 9th:
Pittsburgh at New Orleans (NBC)


Sunday Night Football Opener:
Dallas at Minnesota (NBC)

Monday Night Football Doubleheader:
Miami at New York Jets (ESPN)

Game #2
San Francisco at Seattle (ESPN)


Thanksgiving:
Early Game:
New England at Detroit (CBS)
Late Game:
Chicago at Dallas (FOX)
Night Game:
Baltimore at New York Jets (NFLN)

Brady Quinn to Denver

On Sunday Night, the Broncos acquired QB Brady Quinn from the Browns in exchange for FB Peyton Hillis, a 6th round pick in 2011, and a conditional pick in 2012 that will be no higher then a 4th or a 5th round selection. Bascially, the Broncos gave up nothing to get a 3rd year QB who was a first round pick only three years ago. At first, I was very upset about the move until I saw what Denver gave up, which is basically nothing. Yes, I was among the Broncos fans that loved Peyton Hillis, but the reality is that Hillis simply doesn't fit into Josh McDaniels' offensive scheme. Hillis is a good runner and a good pass receiver, but he is not a good blocker and pass protector, and the Broncos don't employ too many traditional two-back, I formation sets. Spencer Larsen is a more effective blocker, and so Hillis was expendable. The Broncos didn't even have to touch this year's draft, so this deal was a good move from that standpoint. I always liked Brady Quinn, but I never thought he was a franchise QB; however, he never really got a fair shot in Cleveland. Quinn didn't play at all in 2007 behind Derek Anderson, he started 3 games in 2008, and he played in 8 games in 2009. He was on a really bad team, so maybe the change of scenery will help stimulate his career. Throw in the fact that he is familar with McDaniels' offense and concepts because Quinn played for Charlie Weis at Notre Dame. From these standpoints: Young first round QB, offensive familiarity, and not giving up really anything this move was a win-win for Denver.

The reason why I don't like the move is because this doesn't really give the Broncos a long-term answer at QB. In my mind the Broncos need to draft one of the big four QBs in this draft: Sam Bradford, Jimmy Clausen, Colt McCoy, or the Tim Tebow. Personally, I've been on the Tebow bandwagon all season long, and I was really hoping that Denver would take Tebow, and I wouldn't care if it was in the second round. The Broncos need to give their fans a reason for hope, and they need to build around a potential franchise QB. A lot of NFL experts and critics might not agree with me, but Tebow would be a great fit in Denver. Plus, he would immediately give the Broncos some juice and a much needed jolt for a franchise that has gotten stale over the past four seasons. The Quinn move in my mind seems to negate the idea of Denver drafting any QB in this draft. Maybe if Tebow fell to them in the fourth round, then they might bite, but Tebow isn't falling into the fourth round, and it looks like Denver is not going to select a QB. I would love to see it happen, and if it does then I hope it is Tebow, but it looks like the Broncos will go to training camp with Kyle Orton as the starter, Brady Quinn as the backup, and Tom Brandstater as the 3rd QB. If that's the case, then Quinn has the higher upside and the most potential.

Kenny Peterson Released!

The Broncos let go of DE Kenny Peterson and DL J'Vonnne Parker. The Peterson move was the most surprising because Peterson was a starter last year, and he has been one of the more consistent defensive linemen for the Broncos. The Broncos also re-signed DL LeKevin Smith.

Broncos Retain Prater

The Broncos also announced the resigning of Kicker Matt Prater on Tuesday Night.

Broncos Active in Free Agency

The Broncos solidified their Defensive Line with the signing of two free agents on Tuesday. Denver added DE Jarvis Green, formerly of the New England Patriots, and NT Jamal Williams of the San Diego Chargers. That gives the Broncos three new D-Lineman since the free agency period started last Friday. The additions of Green, Williams, and Justin Bannan give the Broncos some depth and flexibility up front on the defensive side of the ball. These players will be added to the following group: DE Ryan McBean, DE Kenny Peterson, DE Vonnie Holliday (If resigned), NT Ronnie Fields, NT Marcus Thomas, DE J'Vonne Parker, and NT Chris Baker. Here's what would the Defensive Front would look like if I'm heading into training camp right now:

DE: Justin Bannan/Ryan McBean/J'Vonne Parker

NT: Ronnie Fields/Jamal Williams/Marcus Thomas/Chris Baker

DE: Jarvis Green/Kenny Peterson/Vonnie Holliday(If resigned)

NFL Dream Team- Defense

I'll put the finishing touches on the NFL Dream Team. If you are going to go with Bill Belichick as the head coach, then this Dream Team is going to be running a 3-4 scheme. All of the players in the front seven must reflect players that can play in Belichick's defensive scheme. Here we go with the Defensive Line:

Nose Tackle (3): Vince Wilfork (Patriots), Haloti Ngata (Ravens), and Jay Ratliff (Cowboys)

Defensive End (6): Julius Peppers (Bears), Justin Tuck (Giants), Richard Seymour (Patriots), Ty Warren (Patriots), Jared Allen (Vikings), and Dwight Freeney (Colts)

Outside Linebackers (5): DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys), James Harrison (Steelers), Brian Cushing (Texans), Terrell Suggs (Ravens), and Elvis Dumervil (Broncos)

Inside Linebackers (4): Patrick Willis (49ers), DeMeco Ryans (Texans), Ray Lewis (Ravens), and Karlos Dansby (Dolphins)

Cornerbacks (4): Nnamdi Asomugha (Raiders), Champ Bailey (Broncos), Darelle Revis (Jets), and Charles Woodson (Packers)

Safeties (3): Ed Reed (Ravens), Troy Polamalu (Steelers), and Adrian Wilson (Cardinals)

Punt Returner/Kick Returner (1): Josh Cribbs (Browns)

Quarterbacks (3): Peyton Manning (Colts), Tom Brady (Patriots), and Drew Brees (Saints)

Free Agency Rumors and Thoughts

Brandon Marshall was in Seattle today to visit with the Seahawks. Apparently, Marshall is just doing a sort of meet and greet with Seahawks coaches and management. If Marshall is going to leave Denver, which is pretty much a given now, I wouldn't mind if he ended up in Seattle. If Seattle signed him to an offer sheet, and the Broncos didn't match it, then the Seahawks would have to fork over the 6th pick in the 2010 Draft. That would give Denver the 6th and 11th overall picks in the first round this year. A lot is left to play out, including offers from other teams like the Jets, so we'll wait and see what happens with Marshall.

Also, Ravens DL Dwan Edwards is visiting Denver today. This would be another good move for the Broncos to add the 28 year old veteran defensive lineman. It could really help improve our D-Line and add more depth to the front seven.

Free Agency Starts

The Broncos tendered a 1st and a 3rd rounder for LB Elvis Dumervil. The team also tendered a 1st for WR Brandon Marshall, QB Kyle Orton, G Chris Kuper, and a 2nd round tender for TE Tony Scheffler.

The Broncos also started their free agency period by signing DL Justin Bannan from Baltimore. Denver also resigned G Russ Hochstein and WR Brandon Lloyd

Thoughts on the Winter Olympics

I'm taking a quick break from the NFL Dream Team to talk a little about the Olympics and specifically the Hockey tournament in the 2010 Vancouver games. Hockey is my second favorite sport, and next to the Broncos winning the Super Bowl in 1997 and 1998, one of the greatest sports memories I have is when the Rangers won the Stanley Cup in 1994. Hockey hasn't been at the forefront since the lockout of 2004, and rarely does Hockey get any attention in this country, but the level of play at this Olympics was just amazing. Since 1998, the NHL players have participated in the Olympics, and every time the Hockey has been unreal. This year was no different. What made it even more special is that we got the dream Gold Medal game: USA vs. Canada. It was a great game, and displayed just how awesome this sport can be. Canada jumped out to the 2-0 lead, but the Americans crawled back making it 2-1 at the end of two periods. Late in the 3rd, the USA pulled the goalie and they finally scored on a Zach Parise goal with 24.4 seconds left to tie it at 2 and stun all of Canada. Overtime was fast and furious, but Canada won it on Sidney Crosby goal halfway through the extra session. It was fitting that Canada would win 3-2 in overtime on a goal by the best hockey player in the world. For the USA, it is disappointing because winning the gold on Canadian soil would have been sweet. The US was not regarded as a medal favorite because they had the youngest team in the tournament. As the tourney played out, the US played like the best team in the world. They beat Canada in the first round 5-3 (Another amazing hockey game), and they finished the first round undefeated at 3-0. They were the number 1 seed heading into the medal round and got by the Swiss 2-0 and then destroyed Finland 6-1 in the semifinals. The USA-Canada rivalry is now becoming one of the biggest rivalries in all of internation sports. This US team was fun to root for. They were the young, up and coming underdogs who no one talked about. They proved that USA Hockey is in good hands and the future is bright for the sport in this country. Once again, Hockey proved that it is a better product than all the other sports with the exception of the NFL. These last two weeks were just a joy to watch, and hopefully people in this country will begin to look at hockey in a different light. It needs more exposure, but it also needs some tweaking. The sport delivers on every level, and hopefully this run by Team USA will give the sport some sort of boost it desperately deserves. Hopefully, the NHL players will return to the Olympics in Russia in 2014 because the level of play is so good it can't be taken away from not just hockey fans, but sports fans as well. One of my goals is to witness a USA team winning the gold medal in Olympic Hockey. I was 3 months old when the Miracle on Ice happened in 1980. The USA lost to Canada in the gold medal game in 2002, and this year we fell short again to Canada in overtime. One of these Olympics we will break through, I just hope that Hockey has a chance to breakthrough in the public's eyes first.