Maybe it’s because I watch the Big Ten if I watch college football at all, maybe it’s because I had to endure Shane Matthews (another record-breaking quarterback from Florida) as the starter for the Chicago Bears in the mid-‘90s, or maybe it’s because Tebow was a significantly greater running threat than passing threat in the college game, but I could not comprehend how the Denver Broncos pick this guy with a first round draft pick on April 22, 2010.
I remember being perplexed and then quickly forgetting the draft amidst Tiger’s breakdown, LeBron’s botched “Decision”, and the World Cup. Now that Tebow has signed a five-year, $33 million contract, I suddenly find myself thrown back into a perplexing world where a quarterback who cannot quarterback is being paid to sport Jockey’s on the bench.
A bit too much of a rant you say? Of course it is, but this is a blog, get over it. Don’t worry. I immediately calmed down when I read the scant details of said contract. Tebow is guaranteed just $11.25 million of the contract with only a brain transfer with Peyton Manning helping him earn his full potential. The contract Hail Maries include emerging as a starter, making the playoffs, playing in the Pro Bowl, and taking the Broncos to the Super Bowl.
Tebow has incredible athleticism (for a quarterback) on his side, but unless the Broncos are switching to the Wildcat exclusively in the next few seasons, I hardly see how this makes him a starter or Pro Bowl player.
Aghast, then I decided to take a break from this little writing exercise and take a look at the Denver Broncos 2010 season roster. Tebow is currently fighting for the third quarterback spot with Tom Brandstater. Tebow will win of course, he is a first round draft pick and nobody cuts a first round pick before his rookie year even starts. Then I see the number one quarterback is Kyle Orton and the second string is Brady Quinn.
Imagine now as the blood drains from my face. It is conceivable the overachieving Orton finally realizes he is playing way above his head and bottoms out, quickly plummeting down the depth chart and eventually playing in a semi-pro league in the middle of Indiana. Then Quinn does what Quinn does best, complete four yard check routes and never actually reach the first down marker (oh no, Shane Matthews flashback!). Suddenly Tim Tebow is leading the Denver Broncos offense in the 2010 regular season as the starting quarterback (I think that brings him up to $19 million).
Broncos tickets still sell out as the team goes 0-for- the second half schedule as women from all around the country come to Denver with the hopes of digging their claws into the reportedly single athlete’s financial package and pregnancy-scare him into marriage (I swear from all the Internet love and the very fact he inspired a line of panties, he has to be the NFL’s version of Justin Bieber).