The Case For Tim Tebow - aka The Dolphins and Tebow Part 1

Author's note: For the anti-Tebow crowd, before you go crazy in the comments, wait a coupe of hours.  You'lll understand then.

The rumors coming out of Denver now involve them placing one of the quarterbacks on the trading block.  No, it's not almost Dolphin Kyle Orton, it's the polarizing Tim Tebow.  Some people love him.  Some hate him.  It doesn't seem like there are a whole lot of people in the middle.

For complete journalistic integrity, I will state that I am a Florida Gators fan.  Well, truly, I am a fan of all the Florida schools, but I did love Tebow in Gainesville.  I like him.  I think he wins.  But, I also understand his mechanics have to be fixed.  What I don't understand is pure hatred and loathing some people have for Tim Tebow.  Not for his play.  For him.  People seem to want to see him fail.  I don't understand the desire to see someone fail, just for failure's sake.

But, that's not what this is about.  This is about why the Dolphins should go after Tebow.

A little while after the reports that Broncos czar John Elway was considering trading, or even cutting, the 2010 first round draft pick, ESPN's Chris Mortensen stated on Sports Center that Elways was reporting that Tebow is still in the Broncos future plans, and there was no trade or release in the immediate future.

So, this may all be wild speculation about something that won't ever happen.  Like the Orton trade.

But, here's why the Miami Dolphins should go get Tebow - especially if he is released by the Broncos.  

Tebow is a winner.  Plain and simple.  He may have an unorthodox throwing motion, looping the ball from down around his hip all the way up to his shoulder, but he somehow wins.  He won in High School, going 13-2 in his two years of play.  He won in college, including a National Championship and the Heisman Trophy (becoming both the first underclassman to ever win the trophy, and the first home schooled player to ever be nominated for it).  He finished his college career with a 176.0 passer rating, going 661-for-985 (a 67.1% completion rate) for 9,286 yards, 88 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.  He also ran 692 times, for 2,947 yards and 57 touchdowns.

After being drafted in the first round of last year's draft, the speculation of Denver's use of Tebow ran rampant.  With the Broncos out of playoff contention, Tebow started the last three games for the Broncos, winning one game and losing two, while throwing 82 times, completing exactly 50% of his passes.  He threw for 654 yards in 2010, with 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions - for a passer rating of 82.1.  He had an additional 43 rushing attempts for 227 yards, and 5 touchdowns. He was twice named the NFL Rookie of the Week.

Going in to the 2011 season, the Broncos nearly traded their starting quarterback, Orton, to Miami, leading to speculation that Tebow would be their starter.  However, when the trade fell through, Orton quickly regained his starting job, and Tebow, as of now, has fallen to third on the depth chart.  With Elway and a new coaching staff, all joining Denver this offseason, Tebow is not their draft pick.  

Which brings us back to, should the Dolphins get Tebow?

If it's a trade, I don't think so.  He's not worth giving up whatever the Broncos would ask to recoup as much as they can from trading up to, and then trading away, a first round pick.  Nor is it worth taking on an $8M salary for a third string, project quarterback.

But, if it's as a free agent, why not?  Tebow has to understand his place in the NFL right now.  He's an extremely hard worker, and his desire to succeed is amazing.  

When he was being drafted, Tebow's only request was to have a chance to be a quarterback.  Maybe it's time to revisit that.  Maybe it's time he makes the transition to a new position.  The Dolphins are developing rookie Charles Clay as an h-back right now.  Why not Tebow?  At 6'3", 245 pounds, he has the size to play tight end or fullback.  

Tebow could also be utilized to run the Dolphins' wildcat formations.  His ability to throw the ball, as well as run it, would put him a step ahead of former Miami running back, and wildcat trigger man, Ronnie Brown.  He has he size and durability to run the ball, and the arm to throw it. Plus, the NFL has gotten rid of the emergency quarterback rule, allowing the Dolphins to use him whenever they would want, but still allowing Matt Moore to serve as Chad Henne's primary backup.

Currently, the Dolphins have rookie Pat Devlin and former Patriot and Jet Kevin O'Connell as the third and fourth string quarterbacks.  Tebow, with all of his potential, could easily supplant both of those players.

Granted, a lot of this is speculation.  Speculation that the Dolphins would be interested.  Speculation that the Broncos would move Tebow.  Speculation that Tebow would consider a move to another position.  Speculation that the wildcat is still a large enough part of the Dolphins playbook that having Tebow run it would be worth the money needed to sign him.

But, the addition of Tebow could help the Dolphins develop, and, ultimately, could lead them to having a highly successful, hard working, winner on the roster.  Just what that position would be is the question.