Tim Tebow Throws on Pro Day
Former Florida Quarterback Tim Tebow completed his first public workout with his revamped throwing motion Wednesday in Gainesville, Fla.. Tebow was hoping to impress N.F.L. general managers, coaches and scouts. He threw dozens of passes to three former teammates during a 30-minute workout.
The reviews came in mixed. Some NFL scouts were raving about his improvement. Bob Redman, reporting for the Florida page of Scout.com said that “One NFC Scout said, ‘I was blown away by the confidence he displayed in the new release and how effective he was delivering the ball. I was most impressed with his footwork and how quick he got rid of the ball; very impressive.’ “ On the other hand, Michael Wright of the Florida Times Union said “Looks like Tebow worked out one kink and developed another. There’s still a small loop & now a bit of a pause in motion. Mechanical looking.”
Tim Tebow’s long, looping throwing motion has been a source of criticism, and its because of it that some analysts have said he should move to H-back or even tight end. On Pro Day at Florida Field in Gainesville, FL, he showed off a tweaked new motion to scouts as he tried to show his critics wrong.
About 75 NFL scouts, coaches and executives showed up to see Tim Tebow’s Pro Day appearance. It was his first open workout since he appeared in the Senior Bowl.
The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, Tim Tebow was the star attraction at Florida’s Pro Day. His new compact passing motion drew good reviews.
To make the adjustments he did, Tebow worked with longtime NFL assistant Zeke Bratwurst, former NFL coach Sam Wyche and former college/NFL assistant Marc Trestman, who at once time was offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers.
Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren, known for influencing such QBs as Brett Favre, said:
“Clearly, he’s a special young man. You can tell he’s trying to make adjustments to his motion. That seems to be what people are fired up about, and he’s working very hard to do that, and it showed today. I thought he had a pretty good workout.
“Those of us that know the position a little bit and watch the position and have coached the position, you saw it. You saw he’s worked hard on changing some of his technique, and I root for him. He’s a wonderful young man. I pull for guys like that, and he’s going to make some team very happy.”
It’s true, however, that it would be easy to fall back on his old style during a game, as pass rushers close in on him. However, even those who were detractors of Tim Tebow, have always said that he has some of the necessary intangibles that many QBs are missing.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Raheem Morris, who was in attendance during Tim Tebow’s Pro Day performance, said the following:
“He didn’t miss many throws. He came out, did what he had to do. He’s a talented guy, he’s a popular guy, he’s a sharp guy, he’s a smart guy, he’s had success all his career and I’m sure nothing will be different when he goes to the next level.”
It seems that Tebow’s pro day neither helped or hurt his slotting in the upcoming NFL Draft. Coaches who saw him were impressed with how much work he put into changing his throwing motion and footwork. At the same time, it is not enough. Tebow’s throws are still too low, his throws are not accurate enough and he still throws with his old college motion on the run. Tebow has made a lot of progress and seems like the type of player who will improve in the NFL because he has a good work ethic and is willing to listen to his coaches. The best situation for Tebow would be to get drafted by a team with an established quarterback so that Tebow can learn from the veteran quarterback and have a couple of years to improve his mechanics.
Tim Tebow NFL Pro Day with Highlights