WHAT ARE THE JAGUARS EXPECTING FROM TIM TEBOW?

BY ADAM GREENE

To absolutely no one’s surprise, the Jacksonville Jaguars will reportedly sign Tim Tebow to their preseason roster in what can only be considered already one of the greatest PR stunts of all time. It’s created enough of a public stink that Jake Paul has started catching passes from the nearest jug machine.

So, beyond that, more local fan interest and excitement, what do the Jaguars expect to get out of Tim Tebow?

Well, let’s talk about the perfect scenario as Tebow begins his quest to play NFL tight end, something most pundits thought he should have done coming out of the University of Florida in 2010.

Tebow was an elite athlete then, 11 years ago, and if he still has any of that in him, he could very well be fine as a reserve, No. 3 or 4, tight end. More than that. he’d open up some possible gadget plays and I would probably play him as an up back on the punt team, giving the constant threat for a fake. Since the Jags are paying Tebow NFL peanuts, getting an H-back that can work the red zone and sub as an emergency quarterback is some solid value if he makes the team. That is not a certainty.

While Urban Meyer might seemingly being doing this “for Tebow,” make no mistake. The primary beneficiary of this is Urban Meyer and there’s no way the former Florida and Ohio State head coach will waste a roster spot on Tebow if he doesn’t earn it. Meyer isn’t cutting a real player to make room for his favorite dog sitter. That’s not how the NFL works.

In fact, the NFL has chewed up and spit out successful college coaches before many times. Guys that won national titles and still do were garbage in the pros. You need look no further than Alabama head coach Nick Saban, a guy who went 15-17 as head coach of the Miami Dolphins and was fired for Cam Cameron.

Steve Spurrier, Dennis Erickson, Bobby Petrino, Lou Hotlz, Chip Kelly and Butch Davis were all trash on Sundays.  Meyer is far from a sure thing and he better know it.

Tebow was probably won of the 10 best college football players of my lifetime. He could have been the next Frank Wychek H-back or Mike Alstott fullback if he’d been open to it. Tebow’s flameout in the NFL wasn’t a surprise, but an example of his own hubris and magical thinking along with a fanbase that couldn’t accept that God wouldn’t help the man complete a pass. But I like him and I’m glad to see him get the shot, especially at a position he could have thrived in had he been drafted in the correct round by the appropriate team back in 2010.

PROP BETS

Tebow’s potential return comes with some solid props so you can be properly invested in his success or failures, depending on your hater meter. 

Will he make the team? I wouldn’t bet against it, so I say yes (-120). Will he take a snap in Week 1? If he’s on the team, absolutely (+550).

I’m guessing his first NFL touchdown will be a rush (+140), considering he scored 57 rushing TDs at Florida, still the SEC record for any position.

Tebow hit four homers in his final minor league baseball season in 2019. If he does make the Jags final roster, the under four touchdowns (-300) is probably the safer bet.

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