Clayton: Tim Tebow signing with the Jaguars rekindles Broncos moments
May 11, 2021, 3:58 PM
While the Broncos continue to figure out what to do at right tackle after season-ending injury to Ja’Wuan James, an amazing story continues to evolve in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars are in the process of signing former Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow to play tight end. Tebow hasn’t played football in nine years, but he wanted to get back in the game at the age of 33. He lives close to Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer and Meyer is willing to unite with him after Tebow’s great college career.
His return to football has to bring up some amazing memories for Broncos fans. Tebow was one of the greatest college players I’ve ever seen. As a quarterback in the NFL, however, his passing ability didn’t translate.
Still, his short Broncos career has the pro-Tebow and anti-Tebow people talking.
One the good side, he was a winner. The former Broncos first-round pick in 2010 was 8-6 as a starter in Denver. Six of those regular-season wins were in fourth-quarter comebacks.
His biggest comeback came in the playoffs. He threw a touchdown pass when he caught Steelers safety Troy Polamalu in a blitz, opening up the middle of the field for the game-winning touchdown.
But as a quarterback, he wasn’t good. In fact, he was one of the worst I’ve seen.
Tebow completed 47.3 percent of his passes. His yards per attempt was 6.7. He did throw 17 touchdown passes in his 14 games, but he also threw nine interceptions.
One of the reasons he had to have the come-from-behind wins is because he would have so many three-and-outs in the middle of games. When I watched him in training camp, Tebow struggled to complete screen passes. His best pass was some deep routes on the left side of the field. Most of the other throws didn’t work.
Like most, I root for Tebow. But I don’t think he’s going to make it.
The Jaguars are going to a running offense. Tebow is 6-foot-2, 236 pounds. Blocking will be a problem.
Still, it’s an interesting time to look back at the Tebow days. There were certainly pros and the cons.
