Quarterback Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators demolished the previously unbeaten Cincinnati Bearcats 51-24 Friday night in the 76th Sugar Bowl played at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.
Tebow, 22, the 2007 Heisman Trophy Award winner who concluded his career as the all-time NCAA leader in total touchdowns with 145, completed 31 out of 35 passes for an astounding 482 yards and three scoring strikes.
“It was incredible,” said Tebow, whose 533 yards of total offense were the most in BCS history. “Just a great game. It was exactly how you want to go out with these seniors and these coaches in your last game and your last time together. It just really doesn’t get any better than this.”
Tebow’s spectacular performance against the Bearcats (12-1) bolstered the notion that he is the greatest collegiate football player ever.
“Tim Tebow will go down as one of the greatest players, if not the greatest player, in college football history,” said Gators (13-0) Head Coach Urban Meyer.
Tebow has an unorthodox throwing motion and he does not toss the prettiest of spirals.
Largely because of his flawed mechanics, many analysts do not believe that Tebow will succeed as a player in the NFL.
However, many tremendous football coaches contend that Tebow will continue to flourish once he enters the professional ranks.
One of those coaches is Jon Gruden who has stated that Tebow could “revolutionize” the game.
“Tim Tebow is 250 pounds, and he’s the strongest human being that’s ever played the position,” said Gruden, 46, who coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl championship in 2003. “He can throw well enough at any level.”
Former Indianapolis Colts and Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy is in agreement with Gruden.
“Franchise quarterbacks are hard to find, and I believe in this guy (Tebow),” said Dungy, who led the Colts to a 29-17 victory over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI.
Still, despite his lofty pedigree and solid reputation as a person, Tebow has many detractors and plain haters.
NFL analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. has expressed doubts that Tebow will be anything more than an average professional signal-caller.
“I don’t think he can be a fulltime quarterback,” said Kiper. “I don’t think he can be the quarterback of the future for you. He’ll be the same as Pat White.”
Tebow, who was born in the Philippines to Christian missionaries, lived in Jacksonville, Florida throughout his life.
Because of his popularity in the “Sunshine State,” it is widely speculated that the Jacksonville Jaguars will select Tebow to help increase their lagging attendance.
“Tebow clearly is an outstanding football player and he would be an asset to any football organization,” said Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver. “There’s going to be a groundswell for Tebow, and we’ll have to make that evaluation if we have a draft pick that’s going to be anywhere near him.”
Tebow certainly is not an archetypal signal-caller and his transition to the NFL will likely be a rocky one.
Tebow’s fluttery passes could prove to be gifts for professional cornerbacks and safeties.
Nevertheless, Tebow is the epitome of a winner and his renowned leadership abilities and impressive physical tools may enable him to compensate for his drawbacks on the gridiron.
“He’s a winner” Meyer said. “He’ll win at the next level, too.”
In a league where subpar quarterbacks like Kyle Boller and JaMarcus Russell are employed, there is no question that Tebow will be afforded an opportunity to succeed in the NFL.
No matter how he ultimately fares, Tim Tebow will be as fascinating to watch in this new decade as he was in the one that just passed.
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Keywords: Cincinnati Bearcats, Florida Gators, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tim Tebow
