Orange and Blue Hue » Dear Urb: Here’s How to Keep Tebow for his Senior Year

Dear Urb: Here’s How to Keep Tebow for his Senior Year

Meyer talks it over with Tebow

Dear Urb,

Far be it from us to think ahead to the future. You know, the one that exists at some point in time after the BCS National Championship game. We know you’re dreaming of nothing other than new special teams wrinkles, offensive plays and schemes to whip our team into a frothing frenzy when they play the Sooners. Thanks for that.

But we can’t help but think about our boy, and the incredible significance of keeping him for another year. We’re talking about the best player in college football, hands down, and 25% of his career is on the line. Even more if you don’t count his freshman year, when he backed up Chris Leak.

And let’s be clear about something, Urb. We know that if the right opportunity is there, Timmy could and should take it. If he brings home a crystal football on January 8th, his job is complete. We, Gator Nation, release our favorite son to wherever his dreams may take him next. And we will support him wholeheartedly.

There’s just one thing, Urb. You know, and we know, that Timmy’s not ready to take that next leap. Not yet. And the opportunity isn’t right; not now, anyway. Despite being the greatest college quarterback in the last quarter century — and arguably among the greatest of all time — his skills don’t translate well to the NFL. He needs another year of prep so that he can get what he richly deserves: a first-round draft selection.

So we’ve written up a few talking points for you to bring up on the plane ride home from Miami.

Timmy says: “Coach, I’ve done all I can. I’ve won you two national titles and two conference titles. Heck, I even won a Heisman Trophy as a sophomore. There’s nothing left for me. I’m ready for the next challenge.”

You say: “Timmy, first of all, there is a challenge you still haven’t fulfilled: an undefeated season. And the college game loves you. Why not go down in history as a three-time title winner and while you’re at it, let’s gameplan you into another Heisman Trophy to cap off your senior year? We’re talking college football immortality here. Your great-grandchildren will be hearing your name on television during college football season. Regularly. And think of how annoying that’ll be for the School Out West. You’ll be a permanent reminder of their miserable fall from grace. Even better! But, seriously: you have made sure that your faith is inextricably linked to your public persona. Your legacy will continue to campaign for God, even when you’re gone.”

Timmy says: “Coach, your offensive system isn’t going to help me get ready for the NFL. No one runs the spread option in the pros. I might as well go now, before the rookie salary cap kicks in.”

You say: “Kid, the salary cap isn’t going to affect you either way because you’re not a first-rounder this year. Now, I’m not saying you can’t be a great NFL quarterback. You have the heart of a winner and I think one way or another, if it’s up to you, you will find a way to succeed. The problem isn’t you; it’s them. You’ve got to be worth the development time and money or they’re not going to give you the reps to learn at the next level. First rounders get developed, buddy. Fourth-rounders hold clipboards. You’ve taken 8 snaps from under center, Timmy — 8 snaps! — and all the rest have been in the ‘gun.

Here’s the deal: I am willing to make you an offer that I have never made to any other player. I will hire a proven NFL coordinator and quarterbacks coach. 2009 will be your NFL prep season. We will line you up in the I and prove you can do the five and seven step drop, going through your progressions on your way back. We’ll have you throw screen passes. We’ll prove you can hand it off to your backs when the run read is there or go play-action when it’s not. We will put you in 5-WR sets taking the snap from under center. We will focus on your mechanics. We will keep you in the pocket. We will basically mold our offense around Tim Tebow 2.0: the NFL version. Come back, Timmy, and we will make you a first-rounder. You have earned that. And even while you’re learning, we will win!”

Timmy says: “Coach, there’s so much I can do as a professional player. I can start my ministries. I can take care of my family. I can do so much for so many people. Coach, I can’t say no to professional football.”

You say: “Tim, if you don’t get taken in the first or second round, you may just be shocked at how little staying power you have in the NFL. You’ll make a little money, sure. But if you think you’re guaranteed to retire from real life just because you have a bigtime college name and presence, guess again. The way you convert this opportunity into your dream is by coming back and working hard for another year. Not by going before you’re ready!”

Timmy says: “You dare doubt me, Coach? I’ve been proving people wrong my whole life. I can master this challenge.”

You say: “Son, I’ve never doubted you, and I’m not about to start now. What I’m telling you is that if you leave now, you do not hold all the cards in this deal. You will find yourself at the mercy of GMs who see you as nothing more than someone to take a flier on. There’s a good chance, Tim, that they won’t even want to talk to you about playing quarterback. Remember Matt Jones? And he was better suited for a position change.

Tim, what you need to do is take control of your own destiny. Come back and we’ll make it happen together. I promise you as your coach and friend that I am telling you what I think is best for you, not just this team. Come back and we’ll have fun, win lots of games and make you an NFL quarterback. Now, take my hand…”

See, Urb? It’s really that simple.

Normally we’d say it’s insane to even think of changing your offense just for the benefit of one player (and not necessarily for the overall benefit of the team.) But if there’s any one player in the history of the sport that deserves this, it’s Tim Tebow. And by the way, even if your modified offense isn’t as productive as the pure spread-option, it’ll still be better with Tim Tebow in it than any other would without him.

The key point here is as follows: this is what’s best for Tim Tebow. It also happens to be what’s best for the Florida Gators. There are some guys you have to send on their way with your best wishes — guys like Brandon Spikes, who is probably the best linebacker in this year’s draft, a year ahead of the salary cap. Or Percy Harvin, who is just too injury-prone to ask for another year.

Tim Tebow doesn’t enjoy their situation — but he can.

Make it happen, Urb.

Thank you,

-Gator Nation

24 Comments so far
Leave a comment

Tebow NEEDS to come back. I don’t doubt his abilities to mold and am in the minority in thinking he can actually make something of his career in the NFL. By the way, when was the last time ANY NFL draft analyst was right about a QB. The last I can recall was mini Manning and even then he was shaky his first few years. It always turns out that the QB from Western Mid South North Christian school of Wyoming becomes the stud in the NFL.

Back to my point, he needs another year and we have a cup-cake schedule next year. If he goes, then I wish him the best but all I ask from Santa is that he gives my Gators Tebow behind center in 2009.

Simply put, if he comes back and runs the same offense, they will be able to work with him on the next level.

They said he could not pass, he has one of the most accurate arms out there. He can read defenses and run. He is way better than Mike Vick or Vince Young will ever be.

Do not be surprised to see him come back, they run the same offense and he still goes high in the 2010 draft and a team works with his skill set. It has happened before.

Kordell Stewart, Tavarias Jackson, Vince Young, Mike Vick and blah blah blah. Tebow is a better man, athlete and quarterback. He also has character and is an amazing leader.

The only problem I see with TT is his slow release.

P.S.

A bit off topic, but I watched the UM-OSU 2002 championship game on espn classic today and OSU was really dirty. I saw the same OSU player stomp on the heel of Roscoe (sp) Parish (Buffalo Bills WR) and elbow Kellen Winslow after the play. Both were clearly intentional. An OSU player also seemed to try to twist Winslows legs/ankles after the play (just like Dockett) but somehow the Refs and the announcers missed these incidents. Winslow reacted by slapping and pointing at the defensive player to show the refs what he did.I dont care what you guys think of UM, OSU was much more “thug” than UM in that game. I was watching in live speed and spotted them all. OSU is now one of my most hated teams, that PI call was BS and they didnt deserve that championship. GO TEXAS

I’m pretty much over Ohio State’s fanbase from 2006… they have been humbled.

But yeah… go Horns. :)

Nice article, but it would be a bad idea to switch offenses for just 1 player for 1 year. We’ll be fine, whether Tim comes back or not. I think he will, but who knows? Why would Myer completely change an offense that will likely have won him 2 MNCs in 3 years, just to have 1 player come back for his senior season. I love Timmy as much as anyone, but that would be short-sighted–and *not* in the best interest of the team.

But still a fun read!

Great article but can’t wait till Tebow plays in the NFL, I think he’ll do better than most here expect. Gator Boys, hilarious, guess what comes around goes around. I remember Sean Young getting his pocket picked after the fumble, one of the greatest college plays of all time.

If Timmy leave, I’d be willing to be money that Urban will join him in the pros as soon as he gets an offer.

Pilot, Texas Cheering 101:

The chief slogan is

“Hook ‘em Horns”

Not “Go Horns”

And don’t forget to make the punk rock hand gesture while you’re at it.

Those Texas fans will think it’s a cow head.

No NFL for Meyer - OR any other college coach for that matter. At least for the time being, the college coach to NFL coach has been a failed experiment. You will see NFL teams go for NFL assistants now….i.e. Falcons, Ravens, Redskins, etc.

Right. “Hook ‘Em Horns.” I’m a little slow on the uptake. Thanks, VG.

No worries, Pilot.

Added bonus to UT fandom:

Oklahoma hatred is par for the course.

I can’t work up any hatred for Oklahoma.

They’re a good team, a good program, with great tradition and history. Their fans have been respectful and civil so far. They are a worthy opponent. I just can’t hate them. But I do want to beat them — badly.

Oh well, I tried.

In the meantime, try and picture Bob Stoops as a mini-Steve Spurrier who left a Florida program doing well for itself and refused to come back after Spurrier left.

That’s about the best I can conjure up. But you’re entitled to your opinion.

Here is the deal…

I love Tim Tebow as our QB. He’s one of the best in Gator history. If he decides to stay… I’ll take him with open arms.

That said… If we win the National Title. Tim Tebow deserves to go to the NFL. In fact, If we win. I hope he DOES go to the NFL. I’m tired of people saying Tim Tebow won’t be an NFL QB. Do we not understand who Tim Tebow is by now? He was doubted from the very start of his college career, and kept proving people wrong. Tebow has a work ethic like I’ve never seen in an athlete. He knows very well that no one thinks he has a shot. That will motivate Tebow to work hard, and play the game even harder.

Some NFL coaches have already stated he could be a great QB. So, why would I take some ESPN analys (who never has played or scouted in the NFL) over a coach who has experience?

Tim Tebow will be an NFL QB. He will survive more than one season. I expect at the very least…a few NFL seasons out of ol’ Timmy.

People can doubt, but our boy WILL be a starter or a long term second stringer.

The Hiesman is a joke, and has been for many years now.
The only reason Tim Tebow didn’t win it again this season, is because of the system of things surrounding it.

I’m really not sure if you could put your fingure on who is the absolute best college football player in the country. Who really knows that for certain?
The media is only going to promote certain players on certain BCS teams to begin with, so how is that going to identify the best player in college football?

To break it down just a little, lets just say for instance that OU, Texas and Florida do actually have the 3 best players.
If true, that only makes the trophy that much more of a joke.

This is about stats guys, nothing more.
If the “biased as hell” media in the mid-west and western states want to Hate the SEC for being the best, year in and year out, then screw ‘em.
It doesn’t change the fact that Tebow utilizes the talent around him better than any other QB in the country. Not to mention that he does it against far better D-lines that currently exist in the Big 12.
Did anyone watch the Big 12 championship game? Did anyone else notice how weak the Missouri D-line was?
OU fans like to say that their O-line is the most dominant in college football. Wrong.
‘Bamas O-line matches OUs player for player, and we seen who the aggressor was in the 4th qr. of the SEC championship game, didn’t we?

The reason Tebow is so under-rated, compared to other QBs, is nothing more than pure media propaganda.
Tebow has the tools to be just as good as McCoy or Bradford on the next level, and it wouldn’t suprise me if he turns out better than both.

I sincerely hope that Oklahoma’s line does not match Alabama’s line man for man. Alabama’s line is extremely strong and Bradford is about 36 levels better than Wilson. Remember Alabama pushing us around for most of the 3rd quarter? Now imagine that happening with a QB who can seriously shred you downfield.

I think you are wrong, but seriously hope that I am right this time.

Gonzo
Who rattled your chain? Hilarious, I wouldn’t take all this too serious it’s just kids in college and the Heismen is just about recognition, a tradition, isn’t one enough? Tebow will do just fine in the NFL, the kids got the drive. Just be happy our Gators got home field advantage with 13 players from the greater Miami area alone and as many that played state championships at Dolphin Stadium in high school. Like LSU last year, advantage SEC. Thank God we don’t have to send these kids up north to get spanked, that will happen soon enough when a playoff system is in place. Another goofy comment, the mid-west sure doesn’t “hate the SEC”, hell their coaching the SEC and happy as hell to watch two Ohio coaches go at each other, Stoops & Meyer’s hometowns are about an hour apart.

I like it, GP…

Gives TT a chance to polish and display his passing skills while beginnin to make the shift in the playbook to take advantage of Brantley’s strengths for the following season…

Good idea…

Tebow will do fine in the NFL… he`ll try to run it just like college and after a concussion or 2 later, he`ll realize that the linebackers are bigger, as fast or faster than him, and hit harder than he does. Welcome to the NFL Timmy. P.S. there’s no crying here either.

Can’t believe it hadn’t occurred to me, but playing the game in Miami is a huge recruiting opportunity.
I guess that goes without saying, but I never said I was smart. Just pretty.

Gatordone,

I hate to have to point this out to you, but in my so-called “goofy’ comment, I believe what I was refering to the people in the West and Mid-West regions that actually cast a vote for the Hiesman trophy winner.

To say that those regions (PAC 10 and the Big 12) aren’t biased towards their own teams, (USC, Oregon, Oregon St., OU, Texas, TT, Etc…) is like saying playing in Miami isn’t going to be a slight atvantage for the Gators, and which has absolutely nothing to do with Meyer and Stoops living 1 hr apart from one another.

No one rattled my chain my friend. Just stating the facts.
I assume what you interpreted that I said was of some other nature.

Merry Christmas to all.

Gatordone,

I hate to have to point this out to you, but in my so-called “goofy’ comment, I believe what I was refering to was the media members in the West and Mid-West regions that actually cast a vote for the Hiesman trophy winner.

No one rattled my chain my friend. Just stating the facts.
I assume what you interpreted that I said was of some other nature.

Merry Christmas to all.

Gonzo
Thanks for clarifying that. Guess I overreacted to your statement about certain states that “Hate the SEC for being the best, year in year out”. To me that’s a bit of a stretch but I agree with most of your comment. Tebow certainly could gain motivation from any perceived talk of bias and winning the Heisman is a curse anyway right?

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI

Leave a comment
Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>

That's right folks! It's football betting time at BetUS.com and we're back with the biggest bonuses in the industry! BetUS.com is Amerca's leading sportsbook providing latest football lines on all games. Come on down to BetUS.com and start betting on your favorite sport!