2011 NFL season

[vinsanity]

Is Tebow the Bronco's Kyle McClellan or is he that good?

Was McClellan better than everyone else in college?

Drafted out of high school, so he never had the opportunity to get destroyed in a big college game and cry on the side lines.

So in other words, the answer is no?

Ryan Leaf was...should we compare him to Tebow?

Really not sure what college performance would have to do with whether or not a guy is 'lucky' at first (putting up unsustainable success) or if he'll actually continue to win games at a 90% success rate. I think the comparison is valid.

I'd also like to hear the holes in the Vince Young comparison? Run first QB with questionable throwing mechanics that led his team to victories after being named mid-season starter. Tebow could improve and have sustained success were Young didn't, only time will tell.

[stlouie_lipp]

This is what gets people worked up over the whole Tebow thang.

MVP? Over Rogers? Really?

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Denv ... now-120411

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

Not trying to troll or Joey Bomb anyone, but I thought this Tebow article was pretty interesting. Some organization called Cold Hard Football Facts, which seems to be a Prospectus for football, says Tebow's success is justified and that everyone's looking at the wrong numbers

Not sure where you guys are on Gregg Easterbrook/TMQ but he had this to say that I thought made a lot of sense:

At San Diego, Tebow enthusiastically ran out the other way each time he handed off, just as a high school quarterback would. The Bolts were so rattled that by the second half, a man was going with Tebow when he ran out empty-handed. Late in the third quarter, Denver faced third-and-5. Tebow was flushed from the pocket and rolled left. San Diego linebacker Travis LaBoy slammed to a stop at the line of scrimmage and didn't pursue Tebow, so worried was he about losing contain. Tebow threw for a first down, and Broncos High School recorded a field goal on the possession. The cheerleaders should have done push-ups!

Now that defensive coordinators have film of Tebow running the offense seen on Friday nights, its effectiveness is likely to decline. But until then -- hey kids, don't miss the next Broncos High School game! Buy some baked goods to support the drum line! Vote for our team to be featured on local access cable! See you at the car-hop drive-in afterward!

I think what they're saying in the SI article rings true. No matter how he's doing it, he is getting it done. But much like a John Gall or John Rodriguez in baseball, I think it's working because it's 'unexpected' thus far. Kind of like the Titans in 09 when they went from a pocket passing QB (Collins) to the more fleet of foot Vince Young and finished 8-2 behind him then started 5-5 in 2010. I won't be surprised when he gets figured out and drops from 5-1. But at this point he looks like he can keep from turning it over and be serviceable.

I don't know anything about the NFL, and pay even less attention to it. However, heard Mike Ditka on Mike & Mike this morning. He basically said the same thing.... Tebow is running a different offense than the guys in the NFL are used to defending against. But, give Rex Ryan or any other astute coach a couple cracks at it and they'll adjust and find a way to defend against the new schemes/offense. Once that happens, it'll be copied and the gig will be up.

I have no idea if this is accurate. Just found it interesting that it was the same point vins guy he quoted was making.

[Schlich]

I'd also like to hear the holes in the Vince Young comparison? Run first QB with questionable throwing mechanics that led his team to victories after being named mid-season starter. Tebow could improve and have sustained success were Young didn't, only time will tell.

This is the hole in the Vince Young comparison. You know, the fact that they aren't the same player. They don't run the same offense. You don't see people claiming that Aaron Rodgers couldn't succeed in the NFL because Ryan Leaf didn't, because hey, they run the same style of offense.

I realize how ridiculous that statement sounds, but my point is that we have a serious sample size issue here.

Since I'm on a roll with ridiculous statements, who's to say that the Vikings didn't "figure out Tebow" (4 rushes for 13 yards), softening up the defense just enough to have his first "good passing day" of the season?

[lukethedrifter]

So, Andy Dalton and Cam Newton wouldn't be able to run this Denver offense, I guess.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Dalton - 12 INT
Newton - 14 INT
Tebow - 1 INT

[lukethedrifter]

Dalton - 12 INT
Newton - 14 INT
Tebow - 1 INT

Did you want to finish posting their stats?

[Leroy]

I give Timmy a lot of credit for the second touchdown. He opened up space with his feet and found the guy. On the first touchdown though, that corner or whatever looked like a moron. I know I only played backyard and nine man football, but I always thought that the rule was to stay close to a receiver, not run away from him.

[vinsanity]

I'd also like to hear the holes in the Vince Young comparison? Run first QB with questionable throwing mechanics that led his team to victories after being named mid-season starter. Tebow could improve and have sustained success were Young didn't, only time will tell.

This is the hole in the Vince Young comparison. You know, the fact that they aren't the same player. They don't run the same offense. You don't see people claiming that Aaron Rodgers couldn't succeed in the NFL because Ryan Leaf didn't, because hey, they run the same style of offense.

They are both run first QB's with questionable mechanics. Both took over for pocket passers mid-season and rattled of an impressive streak of wins behind greatly improved defenses.

Pre-Tebow - 28 pts/game
With Tebow- 21 pts/game

06 Titans - 26 pts/game
With Young- 24 pts/game

People don't look at Ryan Leaf and say Rodgers couldn't succeed because there are plenty more QB's with similar styles to Rodgers that do have success. What other 'successful' run first QB's with greatly questioned mechanics have been successful in recent years? Vick? The only reason Vince Young comes up is because he's one of the few with a similar style as Tebow that had early success.

There is a serious sample size issue, but when looking at comparisons you gotta look for trends. I think there's enough parallels with Vince Young to think defenses will get enough time and tape on Tebow to neutralize him much like they did with Vince Young, doesn't mean it's guaranteed though does it?

[Schlich]

Dalton - 12 INT
Newton - 14 INT
Tebow - 1 INT

Did you want to finish posting their stats?

Yeah, let's!!!

Tebow 5.7 YPC, 82 attempts
Newton 5.2 YPC, 100 attempts
Dalton 2.5 YPC, 25 attempts

Tebow 87.9 QBR
Newton 82.4 QBR
Dalton 81.6 QBR

He's not terrible.