Tony Dungy: Tim Tebow will be a great NFL quarterback

[Alexander]

Tony Dungy: Tim Tebow will be a great NFL quarterback
Posted by Michael David Smith on October 30, 2009 9:54 AM ET
The biggest question mark in the 2010 NFL Draft is Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, who's viewed by some as a future franchise quarterback and by others as a guy who will need to move to another position if he'll ever make it as a pro.

Count Tony Dungy as emphatically believing that Tebow will be an NFL superstar.

Appearing Friday morning on The Dan Patrick Show, Dungy said he believes the combination of leadership and athletic ability that Tebow has will make him an elite NFL quarterback -- and more than make up for any questions about his throwing motion.

"As a coach, I always like winners," Dungy said. "Tim Tebow doesn't have the classic throwing motion, he doesn't have the accuracy, maybe, right now that some people are looking for, but I think when he gets into a pro system that really stresses throwing the ball accurately, the big thing is he makes the people around him better. And he's won. ... I think he's going to be a great player in the NFL."

Dungy said that if he were running a team with a Top 10 pick, he'd take Tebow. Patrick then asked Dungy who he'd pick for his team if he could have any of the top college quarterbacks, including Washington's Jake Locker, Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen, Oklahoma's Sam Bradford and Texas's Colt McCoy. Dungy didn't hesitate and said, "I'm taking Tebow."

One of the knocks on Tebow is that during his stellar career in Florida's spread offense, he's never been asked to make the kinds of throws that quarterbacks in prototypical NFL offenses have to make. But Dungy said a good coach can take advantage of Tebow's strengths.

"Is it ever going to be Peyton Manning-ish? Maybe not," Dungy said of Tebow's throwing motion. "But I just think what you can do with him, the problems he creates for a defense, the combination of leadership and what he's shown, if I have him, defenses have to prepare for a totally different offense. ... He's going to give teams the most headaches getting ready for him."

Dungy also said he thinks the Titans are making the right move by starting Vince Young over Kerry Collins, and that if he were the coach of the Chiefs he'd get rid of Larry Johnson.

 

[Doomsday101]

I like Tebow but have my doubts about him at the next level. I have no doubt he has great leadership qualities but the things he does at Florida I don't think translates very well in the NFL. I hope the best for him because I do think he is a good guy

 

[Alexander]

"In such a cynical, sarcastic society, often times looking for the negative on anybody or anything, if you're fortunate enough to spend five minutes or 20 minutes around Tim Tebow, your life is better for it." - Thom Brennaman

 

[speedkilz88]

When they start questioning his accuracy and throwing motion its a major red flag. Those are basic things an nfl qb needs to have.

 

[ArmyCowboy]

He like all spread QBs, will have a major learning curve in the NFL.

Most of these spread QBs have never thrown a pass after taking a snap under center.

I'd pass on Tebow myself.

 

[Doomsday101]

He like all spread QBs, will have a major learning curve in the NFL.

Most of these spread QBs have never thrown a pass after taking a snap under center.

I'd pass on Tebow myself.

I would pass on him in the 1st rd of the draft and clearly would not take him or Bradford or Colt with a high 1st rd pick. I think there are just too many question marks with these guys to risk a high 1st rd pick.

 

[Alexander]

I would pass on him in the 1st rd of the draft and clearly would not take him or Bradford or Colt with a high 1st rd pick. I think there are just too many question marks with these guys to risk a high 1st rd pick.

If I were a team looking for a developmental QB to eventually start in a few years and I were picking at the bottom of the first round, I'd look at Tebow for sure. Yes, he might not be nearly as good as Dungy is implying and all the fawning over him by the announcers is nauseating, but you cannot deny he appears to have the intangibles to be a great NFL QB. I hate to admit, his leadership reminds me very much of Roger Staubach.

A team like Indianapolis would be ideal. He'd get a few years to be groomed while Manning rides out his Hall of Fame career. Now if a team like Jacksonville took him high to just fill seats because of his Florida ties, that's a mistake.

 

[Doomsday101]

If I were a team looking for a developmental QB to eventually start in a few years and I were picking at the bottom of the first round, I'd look at Tebow for sure. Yes, he might not be nearly as good as Dungy is implying and all the fawning over him by the announcers is nauseating, but you cannot deny he appears to have the intangibles to be a great NFL QB. I hate to admit, his leadership reminds me very much of Roger Staubach.

A team like Indianapolis would be ideal. He'd get a few years to be groomed while Manning rides out his Hall of Fame career. Now if a team like Jacksonville took him high to just fill seats because of his Florida ties, that's a mistake.

I don't disagree. I think he has a better chance to develop if he goes to a top team and is allowed to sit and learn. Something he would not get much of a chance to do with a bad team. A place like Indy would be the perfect situation for him. I have no personal issue with Tebow I think he is a good hardnose player and a quality person.

 

[tyke1doe]

To Dallas?

 

[Alexander]

To Dallas?

Tebow > Stephen McGee? I think so.

But we have bigger fish to fry than backup QB in the immediate future.

 

[Doomsday101]

Tebow > Stephen McGee? I think so.

But we have bigger fish to fry than backup QB in the immediate future.

I agree. However if by some strange chance Dallas did take Tebow would you be upset with getting him? Like you I think we have other areas that we need to upgrade for the future but I can't say I would be overly disappointed getting a guy like Tebow.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Tebow should just go to Miami and then they could just run the Wildcat full-time.

 

[Yeagermeister]

When they start questioning his accuracy and throwing motion its a major red flag. Those are basic things an nfl qb needs to have.

Sounds like Drew Henson

 

[dbair1967]

Tony Dungy: Tim Tebow will be a great NFL quarterback
Posted by Michael David Smith on October 30, 2009 9:54 AM ET
The biggest question mark in the 2010 NFL Draft is Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, who's viewed by some as a future franchise quarterback and by others as a guy who will need to move to another position if he'll ever make it as a pro.

Count Tony Dungy as emphatically believing that Tebow will be an NFL superstar.

Appearing Friday morning on The Dan Patrick Show, Dungy said he believes the combination of leadership and athletic ability that Tebow has will make him an elite NFL quarterback -- and more than make up for any questions about his throwing motion.

"As a coach, I always like winners," Dungy said. "Tim Tebow doesn't have the classic throwing motion, he doesn't have the accuracy, maybe, right now that some people are looking for, but I think when he gets into a pro system that really stresses throwing the ball accurately, the big thing is he makes the people around him better. And he's won. ... I think he's going to be a great player in the NFL."

Dungy said that if he were running a team with a Top 10 pick, he'd take Tebow. Patrick then asked Dungy who he'd pick for his team if he could have any of the top college quarterbacks, including Washington's Jake Locker, Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen, Oklahoma's Sam Bradford and Texas's Colt McCoy. Dungy didn't hesitate and said, "I'm taking Tebow."

One of the knocks on Tebow is that during his stellar career in Florida's spread offense, he's never been asked to make the kinds of throws that quarterbacks in prototypical NFL offenses have to make. But Dungy said a good coach can take advantage of Tebow's strengths.

"Is it ever going to be Peyton Manning-ish? Maybe not," Dungy said of Tebow's throwing motion. "But I just think what you can do with him, the problems he creates for a defense, the combination of leadership and what he's shown, if I have him, defenses have to prepare for a totally different offense. ... He's going to give teams the most headaches getting ready for him."

Dungy also said he thinks the Titans are making the right move by starting Vince Young over Kerry Collins, and that if he were the coach of the Chiefs he'd get rid of Larry Johnson.

Yeah I heard him today on the DP show, it just reiterates why I would never want Dungy having anything to do with the Cowboys.

 

[dbair1967]

Tebow > Stephen McGee? I think so.

.

I dont. McGee has far better throwing ability and was a very prolific passer in high school.

I'd rather develop him than waste 15 minutes on Tebow.

 

[Hoofbite]

"In such a cynical, sarcastic society, often times looking for the negative on anybody or anything, if you're fortunate enough to spend five minutes or 20 minutes around Tim Tebow, your life is better for it." - Thom Brennaman

I remember hearing that and was just dumbfounded.

I mean, I'm sure he's a great person and all but get real. 5 minutes with Tebow will make someone's life better? The dude is 22 years old. What life experiences could he possibly draw from that would really put things in perspective for someone else?

Don't get me wrong, I don't have any dislike for him. He's a hell of a player, hell of a leader and sets the right example for the kids who look up to him by staying out of trouble. He's the kind of guy you like to see succeed because he plays the game right.

But he is not some heaven sent being here to change the world. He's just some guy.

A guy who looks a little like Brandon Fraser in Blast From The Past but still a guy.

 

[dbair1967]

If I were a team looking for a developmental QB to eventually start in a few years and I were picking at the bottom of the first round, I'd look at Tebow for sure. Yes, he might not be nearly as good as Dungy is implying and all the fawning over him by the announcers is nauseating, but you cannot deny he appears to have the intangibles to be a great NFL QB. I hate to admit, his leadership reminds me very much of Roger Staubach.

A team like Indianapolis would be ideal. He'd get a few years to be groomed while Manning rides out his Hall of Fame career. Now if a team like Jacksonville took him high to just fill seats because of his Florida ties, that's a mistake.

Dungy was dead wrong in his opinion on drafting and developing NFL QB's in college. If they dont have the minimum talent in their ability to throw the ball, read defenses and throw with any sort of consistent accuracy, all the college and high school wins in the world dont mean crap. The only way it carries any weight is if everything else is EQUAL in terms of the guys talent.

Winning in college doesnt mean crap when it comes to winning in the pros. If you cant pass, you cant pass.

 

[Hoofbite]

I dont. McGee has far better throwing abiluty and was a very prolific passer in high school.

I'd rather develop him than waste 15 minutes on Tebow.

If you just had your choice without having to draft, you'd take McGee?

 

[dbair1967]

If you just had your choice without having to draft, you'd take McGee?

I've seen more of Tebow than I saw of McGee in college, so I'm not sure I can answer that. I know I am 100% set on believing Tebow cant be a starting QB in the NFL. McGee I saw some things during TC and preseason to make me think in 2-3 yrs, he could at least be a quality backup.

I think there were a number of people who believed had McGee not gotten stuck in Dennis Franchione's stupid system and went to a pro style offensive team from day one, he would have been drafted significantly higher than he was. I dont know anyone who thinks that about Tebow.

 

[Chief]

Hey, I like intangibles ... probably more than anyone, especially at QB.

Like someone already posted, if there's a problem with accuracy, then that's a huge red flag.

Another Gator QB, Danny Wuerffel, had great intangibles and was drafted too high.

It will be real interesting to see how Tebow fits in the NFL.

I like Jake Locker out of these college QBs.