Tebow being blackballed by NFL teams due to cult-like following...

[Ilsa]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--tim-tebow-blackballed-by-nfl-teams-because-of-cult-like-following--media-frenzy-054940389.html

Snip
Right now, pro-football powerbrokers don't seem to be listening, and that's their prerogative. No man, even one as revered in some quarters as Tebow, has a divine right to wear an NFL uniform. This is a highly competitive sport, performed at its highest level, and players with strong credentials and promising starts to their careers get bounced out of the league with regularity.

This time, however, there's a glaring difference. In virtually every other case, the once-prominent player who washes out does so after flailing on the field, and/or getting into trouble off the field.
Since playing in a pair of playoff games 16 months ago, Tebow, whose only off-the-field baggage comes in the form of his cult-like following and the media frenzy it provokes, hasn't been afforded the opportunity to show that he sucks.

It's certainly possible that he's simply not up to NFL standards, and never will be, but wouldn't it be nice to get some conclusive proof before this story comes to a meek and unfulfilling close?
snip

I thought this was interesting in how owners don't want to mess with the paranoid, cultist behavior of Tebow's followers, their rationalizations about God's interventions, etc, even though there is talent and leadership skills in this player.

[Puzzledtraveller]

1. He hasn't showcased that well either

Even in Denver he was hot and cold and practically a ghost in New York. I think that has more to do with it than any controversy or other issues that are connected to or follow him. If he was a better player, he'd be playing. IMO

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

55. or if he would give up

his desire to be a QB and convert to TE or HBack or something. He's big, strong and can run a bit. But an NFL QB? No way.........

[CincyDem]

2. If you're going to imply that you walk on water...

...you better walk on water. As a QB, Tebow is at best a middling pro with a lot to learn. In the end, that's what the NFL pays you for. Just like any other business, the owners are say to Tim - "just do your f'ing job". He seems to be missing that input.

[SidDithers]

3. I thought he was being blackballed because he can't throw...

Which, some people say, is kind of an important skill for an NFL quarterback.

Sid

[Scuba]

5. Bingo.

[NightWatcher]

27. He went to multiple camps after college to "relearn a throwing motion"

Most qbs already know that

[Mr. David]

71. His motion was ruined in Florida.

When he just handed off to people like Percy Harvin and Aaron Hernandez.

Not much throwing required.

[backscatter712]

29. That's it right there.

It's not his warm personality, and it's not his religion. He just sucks.

[HappyMe]

33. Yeah, that's it.

He just can't throw and doesn't seem to have much in the way of leadership on the field.

I don't think it has anything to do with religion.

[mnmoderatedem]

38. in all my years of watching football

I've never seen the media so far in the tank for a player, based on such scant accomplishments.

Case in point: ESPN has a show called Numbers Never Lie. One one particular episode, when Tebow was still with the Broncos, they gave out the number 4. The meaning behind the number 4 was that it marked 4 consecutive games where Tebow had a completion percentage of at least 50%. For those who don't follow football, rest assured that's a remarkably pedestrian stat. Not impressive whatsoever. But because it was Tebow, they built it up as if it were some sort of grand accomplishment. To make matters worse, 2 of those 4 games his percentage was exactly 50%, and another it was barely over 50%. Talk about data mining.

Incidentally, a quarterback named TJ Yates filled in for the injured starter for the Houston Texans last season, and the unheralded guy led his team to a playoff victory just like Tebow did in Denver. I must have missed the media fanfare. Maybe if he got on one knee and "Tebowed"?

[madinmaryland]

39. He throws an excellent knuckleball. Unfortunately he is not trying out in baseball.

[Brother Buzz]

48. He can't catch for shit, either

[Egalitarian Thug]

4. So, for how long does he have to keep sucking before it's OK to continue ignoring

this entirely manufactured "phenom"? Being white and a religious fanatic are not sufficient qualifications to play in the Big Time.

[RagAss]

6. Wrong ! ....Doug Flutie was "blackballed"....

...and Doug Flutie could hit a rat in the ass with a football at 50 yards. Enough of this Tebow bullshit.

[Buzz Clik]

22. +1

This is rightwing, "Christian persecution" bs.

Give it a rest. He doesn't have the skill set to be an NFL qb. Period.

[mnmoderatedem]

40. +2

If NFL general managers thought he could play, they would snatch him up in a heartbeat.

[ThomThom]

51. let him go play Canadian Football

if they want him

[SidDithers]

53. CFL is even more of a throwing game than NFL...

We don't run the ball up the middle, over and over and over and over and over and over again up here.

Bigger field + fewer downs = way more throwing.

Tebow would be a very bad fit for the CFL.

Sid

[ThomThom]

70. thanks, I know nothing about Canadian football

except a lot of players go there and play when they don't get a contract in the NFL (W. Moon)
I am not a fan of this guy or really care what happens to him.

[Mr. David]

73. Your comment echoes what Warren Moon said about Tebow and CFL.

Exactly.

[liberalhistorian]

60. I'm just curious because I never did

hear a real reason; one moment he seemed to be in the spotlight, and the next he wasn't. Why WAS Flutie blackballed? I'm not really a sports person (even though I'm originally from Cleveland, where it's practically required that you bow down and worship their usually pathetic, sorry teams), but I was interested in Flutie somewhat because he son has autism and I raised an aspie son.

[Marrah_G]

62. I hear he is a pretty nice guy

Back when he was coaching his nephew in HS, my significant other had met him and spent some time with him at some coaching meetings/breakfasts and was really impressed with what a nice guy he was. His nephew went on to play for BC I think.

[KamaAina]

69. He was considered too short to play in the NFL

Srsly.

[Arkana]

7. It's Tebow's own fault--if he hadn't gone so hard-right God Warrior,

maybe then teams wouldn't be so afraid of him.

[Ilsa]

10. Yep. He needs to choose between being a preacher or quarterback. nt

[MADem]

31. I wouldn't say "afraid" is the way they feel. I think they think he sucks, first, and that, Big

Picture, he's the football equivalent of "Box Office Poison." For every holy roller he might bring in with his "Jesus is my coach" schtick, he'd drive three away--and that's assuming he could throw the ball, which, I understand, is a tricky proposition for him.

I do tend to equate his name with the term "insufferable."

[geek tragedy]

8. Dude couldn't get playing time behind MARK SANCHEZ.

He just sucks.

[NCTraveler]

14. I kind of felt bad for Ryan.

Two of the biggest hyped quarterbacks, and neither one would start for most NFL teams. I thought Sanchez was going to be a good qb, but the last two years have proven otherwise. Some of the things he has done have left me scratching my head. Then he gets the deer in the headlights look.

There were times when I just wanted to pet him like a little dog and say "it will be all right".

[joeunderdog]

20. Yeah. Nice guy. Horrible nfl qb.

Fortunate to have already made millions on the talent level of a star collegiate player. And he's grateful fo it. He should be.

Lots of God-Squauders in the nfl. But they need talent to stay on.

[Puzzledtraveller]

34. You nailed it

and yes, plently of the cross-signing-fingers-to-the skywaving-kneeling-after-a-tocuhdown players in the NFL, but, THEY can play.

[Bake]

68. And THAT speaks volumes.

Because Sanchez sucks pretty badly himself.

Bake

[ChairmanAgnostic]

19. he can throw a ball

just not where it is supposed to go.

[liberal N proud]

28. LOL

:rolf:

[NCTraveler]

11. Tebow does have great leadership skills on the field.

He is even a good leader as a back-up. He just doesn't have the arm to run a west-coast offense. Look at the stats in the NFL over the last couple of years. The winners are all throwing the ball and racking up historically absurd yards doing so. He has every right to make an attempt at becoming an NFL quarterback. I think he can spend another year or two working on that. If it doesn't work out, which it looks like it won't, I see him going back to UF as an offensive coordinator or offensive line coach. This would be his foot in the door. He is loved there. With his energy and enthusiasm he would make a great recruiter. And Whatever the hate for him, he is a student of the game and I believe he would make an excellent coach. In ten years he could become one of the youngest and highest paid coaches in college ball.

[GoneOffShore]

87. If he doesn't decide that there's more money to be made as a god botherer.

Of course he'd probably think that teaching college ball was a fertile field full of prospects to convert.

[Frank Cannon]

96. He'll make a fortune as an uberchristian Anthony Robbins.

Wearing a headset mic, riding the circuit where the fools and their money are soon parted.

[marmar]

12. I'll say this for TT, I don't know of any pro athlete who's accomplished less in his career......

...... who's generated this much press coverage.

[geek tragedy]

15. Brian Bosworth and Tony Mandarich did. nt

[Puzzledtraveller]

35. Tim Couch maybe.

[geek tragedy]

37. Ryan Leaf, Matt Leinart. nt

[SidDithers]

79. Maybe Tebow can follow The Boz into a stellar acting career...

Sid

[geek tragedy]

80. Man you are just Stone Cold sometimes. nt

[Botany]

99. Or the time "the bos" went head on head against Bo Jackson

?1276378437

[theHandpuppet]

49. Ain't that the truth!

Truer words were never spoken, my friend.

[TlalocW]

54. Ray Finkle

Had the makings of a fine punter but choked.

TlalocW

[Mr. David]

74. Finkle was a kicker.

Not a punter.

'84 Dolphins, right?

[TlalocW]

95. Punter, kicker...

If my only contribution to a sports discussion is from a 1994 Jim Carrey movie, I obviously don't know my terminology.

TlalocW

[GeorgeGist]

66. Heath Shuler

[tularetom]

13. There isn't much talent and leadership skills in Tebow

And it isn't so much that the owners are bothered by his cult like following as much as the fact that the fool himself seems to encourage his followers by his on field antics and statements to the press.

If he would just chill with all that hayzoos crap his nuttier fans would disappear pretty damn quick, so it's in his power to show potential employers he's serious about playing football and not just a religious whackadoodle.

[southernyankeebelle]

16. He should go into politics. He fits right into the fake family value republicans.

[southernyankeebelle]

30. You may not get that wish. However, he fits right in with that wacko bunch of religious zealots.

It's not that I mind him being religious. I just think you should practice it in your home and in your church. I have a feeling they really don't want him on a team because some see him as cult like. You don't need that on the ball field.

[Champion Jack]

17. Cult like following? And the fact that he sucks

[Chan790]

21. He'd probably have a job tomorrow if he'd change positions.

With his size, speed and what we'll call "football vision" (the ability to see the play unfold and where the hole is or will be or identify the weak point in the defense) he'd be one of the top RBs or TEs in the league on offense or potentially an even better DB (The most common position for QBs changing position at the NFL level is actually FS) after a season or so to adjust to being on the other side of the ball.

As a QB...he's not good enough for any team to deal with the headaches he brings in terms of his "fans".

[orwell]

26. I see him as a possible fullback...n/t

[theHandpuppet]

50. Me too

But we all know he wouldn't accept being a FB.

[get the red out]

41. I always expected he would do that

I don't know why he hasn't.

I also think he got way too used to being loved for his fanaticism in the SEC. Culture shock.

[Buzz Clik]

23. "even though there is talent and leadership skills in this player." Yikes!

Tebow demonstrated that he has undying enthusiasm, a great work ethic, and a lack of the skills needed to be a premier, NFL quarterback.

If you are going to be an intentional distraction, you'd better be a hugely talented one. Tebow is the former but not the latter.

[Yavin4]

24. A team would need 18ft Tall Receivers

For Tebow to be effective.

[JayhawkSD]

25. "Since playing in a pair of playoff games 16 months ago,"

Oh, hahahahaha. Only because he played in a division which, other than Denver, included San Diego, Oakland and Kansas City; three teams that needed special assistance to tie their collective shoe laces.

[leftynyc]

32. It's his own fault

for insisting on the quarterback position. He should have gone with tight end or something that didn't require throwing (as he sucks at that).

[Puzzledtraveller]

36. TE would work for him

It would seem from what he preaches he should have the humility to play another position and just be grateful for the chance.

[leftynyc]

42. I blame his religious supporters

who led him to believe it was G-d's will for him to play quarterback in the NFL - as no other position matters.

[Ganja Ninja]

43. If he had the talent he'd be under contract right now.

The media circus and the cult following wouldn't make any difference.

[denverbill]

44. He isn't being blackballed. That implies a concerted decision to not allow him in.

The powerbrokers are all coming to this decision on their own accord. They saw how his cult pushed Josh McDaniels to play him. Then how they forced Fox to play him. Elway knew the only way to get rid of him was to grab a first-ballot Hall of Famer. The Jets grabbed Tebow to boost their ratings and they now know the power of the Tebow cult.

I do kind of wish some team would let him play though. Of course, if he was a miserable failure, the cult would just blame his teammates (who hate Christians) or officials (who hate Christians). They just have to keep the myth of the persecuted Christian football star alive.

I feel kind of sorry for Tebow. I don't think he's done much that an awful lot of football, baseball, and other players don't do as far as wearing religion on their sleeve. And I think he's sincere in his beliefs. It is not his fault that he's become a cult figure.

[mnmoderatedem]

45. if you think that's bad

check this out. Talk about coukoo for cocoa puffs.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-tim-tebow-plea-20130506,0,6931958.story

[Sissyk]

46. No. It's because he is a quarterback

that can not consistently throw a football!

[msongs]

47. his situation is god's will. he needs to accept that and get over it nt

[Arugula Latte]

61. He didn't pray hard enough.

[Zorra]

52. If Tebow had RG III's skills, he could have a cult following of satan worshippers

and every team in the NFL would be begging him to play for them.

Tebow's skills were great for a run offense in college football. His release is simply too slow for a pro QB.

[LeftyMom]

56. You know who's super religious? Kaepernick. He's got job security

even though he's got bible verses tattooed all over him, because he's a talented quarterback.

Harbs is also super religious, he missed the first few days of camp last year because he was on a mission.

[Mr. David]

75. What, no Kapernakmania?

That'll kick in soon.

And once Kapernick fails, they'll be pining for Alex Smith again.

[n2doc]

84. Mike Singletary was ultra religious

Didn't make him a good head coach. But he is doing ok at Minnesota, apparently, as an assistant. The NFL is full of religious people. Tebow just blows, that's all.

[bluedigger]

57. If Bill Belichick doesn't give him a chance, he can't play.

BB will try anything if he thinks it gives him an edge.

[Marrah_G]

63. I think to play in Foxboro he would have to significantly tone down the god stuff

Preachiness and in your face type religion doesn't play well here.

[bluedigger]

64. Very true.

But BB is on record as being very complimentary of Tebow's skills in the past. Of course, he could have just been setting up the opposition. He is an evil genius, after all.

[Marrah_G]

65. Evil genius in a hoodie!

[Blue_Tires]

58. I don't think that writer even knows the meaning of "blackball"

btw, that is a serious accusation to throw around without solid proof (even in hyperbole)...

If Tebow ever considered being more open to a position change, he'd be on a roster right now...Nevermind the fact that he had a chance to go to Jacksonville last offseason with the opportunity to play right away...

[madville]

59. As a QB yes, he needs to switch positions

If he made the move to fullback or tight end he would have no problem getting a NFL job and playing time. They would also probably let him sit third or fourth on the QB depth chart as well for an emergency situation.

[JRLeft]

67. He is not an NFL QB. His footwork is shit, his throwing mechanics are even worse. His release is

snail slow.

[Botany]

81. that is it .... he can not pass @ the NFL level

Last edited Sat May 11, 2013, 10:51 AM - Edit history (1)

in the NFL a QB needs to have a 3 to 7 step drop back and be able to read the
"D" and throw the ball into a tight window in under 5 seconds. Tim was a hell of
a college player but he might not have what the NFL needs as per a QB..

[TeamPooka]

72. Will either Tim Tebow or Jason Collins have a job in the NFL next year?

[Mr. David]

76. Neither.

Chris Kluwe will get another job.

Jason Collins has a job, playing for Washington Wizards, although I hear he is a FA now, and will find another team to play for.

[SidDithers]

78. Considering Collins is a basketball player...

I don't think he'll have an NFL job next year.

Sid

[TeamPooka]

86. oops I meant to say "or the NBA" but the phone rang and distracted me... my bad....

[HockeyMom]

77. Hired to play FOOTBALL

not to be a Minister and proselytize his RELIGION. End of story. Contract Law 101.

[hrmjustin]

82. He is not being sought after because he is not a good Quarterback.

If he spent less time on his image and more on his game he would not be in this situation. No tears from me for him.

[Bennyboy]

83. Tebow sucks. everyone saw it on the field.

Tebow sucks. everyone saw it on the field. He is horrible. He is a bad football player and everyone, except the devout Tebow'rs, knows it. this has NOTHING to do with his religious beliefs anymore than Kareem Abdul Jabbar's religion had anything to do with his career.(remember when we wuz afraid of dem Muslims?) One was a great player however, and one sucks. (You can guess which one) Shame on you all for trying to play the victim card here. "Damn non-believers are persecuting us Christians" yeah, tell me more. this is the kind of thing that just makes the entire Christian religion so distasteful. (well that and screwing little kids and stealing money).

[otohara]

85. The NFL Is Basically GOP

they threw Timmy under the bus because money and winning beats prayer.
Proving once again they are faux Christians, like John Elway who was the first to toss Tim.

[nachosgrande]

88. I sort of agree with the article...

Tebow isn't as horrible of a player as some in this thread make him out to be. Truth is he is a long-term project at the position. Ideally, he'd serve as a third string QB and continue to work on his mechanics until his next opportunity to start came along. Problem is, his "cult like following" does bring bad publicity and a media frenzy to any team that signs him.

[jmowreader]

89. Florida had to build an offense around Tebow's skill set

I think the Broncos proved Tebow's worth.

There's an old book on infantry combat titled Defense Does Not Win Wars! Unfortunately, when Tebow is your QB it wins football games because Tebow isn't able to.

Tebow's best bet right now would be to go back to Florida as an assistant coach, then try for a head coach slot at a fundy school like Air Force.

[kentuck]

90. I like Tim Tebow...

I wish he could get a chance to prove himself. He was in Denver for one year before he was traded to the NY Jets. In Denver, he took a team that was 1-4 and led them to the playoffs where they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in their first playoff game. Then he was traded to the NY Jets when the Broncos picked up the contract of Peyton Manning...

[Mr. David]

91. And Manning was far better player than Tebow by miles..

No more heart attack games.... I hate those... and Tebow induced each one. Seriously.

I've always *said* that Tebow is a fifth-rate player that doesn't even deserve a first round money and Josh McDumbass *STILL* needs to cough up the dough for that disaster. Tebow was the main reason that McDumbass got fired. That, and Spygate 2.

[kentuck]

93. Manning is far better than a lot of quarterbacks.

It's only a game. Tebow was not treated well by Denver or New York, but especially bad by New York.

[LostOne4Ever]

98. I agree

I don't think hes getting a fair chance to prove himself.

[DiverDave]

92. He is just BAD. no blackballing.

It's all about the benjamins, if he cant make them any, he doesnt play...simple

[kentuck]

94. He can get more fans into the seats than just about any other quarterback.

So, if its about the Benjamins, no problem.

[edbermac]

97. Tebow makes Sanchez and Romo look like Hall of Famers.

Good running QB but his passing skills are for shit, there are high school QB's that pass better than him.