New England Patriots: Tim Tebow As a Patriot It Is What It Is
The New England Patriots Tim Tebow “dust cloud” still bulky in the air and it might take quite some time for Pats fans to get used to the idea of welcoming Tebow to Pats Nation. When Tebow was released by the New York Jets, I wrote a piece New York Jets Release Tim Tebow. Could He Become a Patriot? The possibilities were there; mainly for the factor that Bill Belichick could explore Tebow’s flexibility and versatility in his offensive scheme. It’s one of those situations that some might see him as a good player, good character and work ethic, but you just don’t want to see him in your team! Well, he has landed in Foxboro and if you wonder how Tebow sounds like on his first interview with the Patriots.com just hear in your head his last year’s first interview appearance with the Jets by replacing New York Jets with the New England Patriots and Rex Ryan with coach Bill Belichick.
Jun 11, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tim Tebow throws a pass at the practice field during Minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Throughout the years, I learned the hard way to “Never say never when it comes to football”. And this situation is another perfect example. I think Tebow is a good player with hidden potentials that could show the critics otherwise. If that’s the case, this is his chance. This is the only team he can actually prove others wrong. As for the Patriots, well, Joe Soriano makes great point on the low-risk this transaction has to the Patriots organization.
As for the “circus” attention the media craves, they might ended up looking like hyenas staring at a vegan menu because they are just getting nothing from Bill Belichick and Tebow better learn the Patriot Way because in this organization, “ain’t nobody got time for that”.
Bill Belichick was also serious, straight-forward, and a classic Bill Belichick in today’s press conference. Questions variations on Tebow’s signing and use kept getting the same answer,
“Anything we do is what we feel is in the best interests of the team. Tim is a talented player that is smart and works hard. We’ll see how it goes.”
But I personally loved when a reporter asked him, “How do you plan to use him? What position?” Belichick looked like a deer in the headlights before confirming what he heard by saying “what position”, followed by his answer,
“We’ll try to do what we think is best for our football team. I don’t know, we’ll see.”
Sure, Belichick will flat out reveal what his plans are for Tebow.
One thing is sure for now: Tebow position is listed as QB # 5 and Pro Shop is already sending out e-mails for us to pre-order Tebow jersey. And of course, nobody is taking Tom Brady’s spot.
One thing is worth pointing out. As much as we might not like the idea to embrance Tebow, Belichick has to be seeing something we’re clearly not seeing. He always searches for value and very few coaches have the gift Belichick has – from transforming an average player into an extraordinary-valuable player.
Remember pick #199 of the 2000 NFL Draft? Not that I would dare or that there’s even a place to make such comparison, but nobody believed in Brady and nobody saw the potential in him. But the fact no team cared to even request for his information when the guy is actually making come back wins, there it was Belichick.
Tebow was released by a club that loves media attention, and that perhaps, did a poor job in utilizing him in the playbook. No team wants Tebow or the baggage he brings (we don’t want the baggage either, but the Patriots can manage anything), there it is Belichick rocking the boat.
It will be interesting to see how Belichick can turn this transaction into a gold mine. If successful, the lesson he will show to this league and for anyone that diminished or discredited Tebow’s effort as a player (whatever position Belichick will actually have him play), it will go to the books. However, I believe it’s all up to Tebow to prove what he really is capable of.
He got the team. He got the opportunity. He got the coach.
Follow Celia Westbrook on Twitter @celiawestbrook