Even if it is a clear sign that winter can’t be far behind, I’m looking forward to the NFL season getting underway this week.
Again, I have no high expectations for my Minnesota Vikings because the Vikings hierarchy apparently has no high expectations for the team either.
While we have a semi-stellar defense and the greatest running back in the league, the most important position on the team will still be occupied by a lightweight in my opinion.
Instead of recruiting an experienced quality big name quarterback, we’re being Minnesota “nice” and sticking with Christian Ponder hoping that he’ll come around eventually maybe even throw a pass to a guy on the same team farther than 20 yards downfield . To back him up, we have Matt Cassel who enjoyed a stint of fame with the Patriots when Tom Brady went down and the Kansas City Chiefs when Brady got well where he eventually melted into a sea of interceptions and boos from fans before hightailing it to Minnesota where many has-beens have been known to go to die.
Still, I’d rather see Cassel take the first snap of the season than Mr. Ponder. But what do I know? I’m still puzzled and PO’d that NFL coaches couldn’t or wouldn’t find a place for Tim Tebow..a true Christian whom I’d like to see with the Vikings. Now just a minute, hear me out.
This young man, considered by many to be the greatest college football player of all time, allegedly just couldn’t be trained to make it in the pros. Oh really? This kid has already proven himself in the pros hasn’t he? During his brief career beginning with Denver, Tebow started the last three games of his rookie season and became the team’s full-time starting quarterback in the sixth game of 2011. The Broncos were 1–4 before he became the starter, but began winning with him on the field, often coming from behind late in the fourth quarter until they won their first AFC West title and first playoff game since 2005, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime.
And what was the Bronco’s reward for Tim Tebow’s performance? A trade..instigated by John Elway for Payton Manning..sending Tebow to the Jets where he was humiliatingly buried in the roster. Tebow’s reaction? “I’ll work hard and do the best I can for my team.” His reward from the foul mouthed Jets head coach, Rex Ryan? Embarrassing treatment and minimum play followed by a trade after the trade deadline. An evil move which virtually assured that Tim Tebow had little chance of being picked up by another team. Oh, the Patriots made a gesture but decided after an exhibition game that it didn’t matter what Tebow had done in the past, he was useless and had no business in professional football.
Amazing. All this is based on WHAT? Practice and exhibition play.
Where has Tim Tebow proved his metal?
In the actual Game. When the chips are down. He finds a way to overcome and find victory.
Yet no coach..no owner.. NOT ONE will take a chance on him even though they’ve seen the intangible gift he possesses for winning with their own eyes.
Hey Lund are you saying God is on Tim Tebow’s side?
Well, I can’t help but think of the Oscar winning movie from 1981, “Chariots of Fire”, in which Eric Liddell of Scotland, a devout Christian and outstanding athlete, was ostracized for refusing to run on Sunday during the 1924 Olympic games in Paris. He went on to compete as an underdog in the 400 meter race carrying a note handed to him with the scripture from 1st Samuel which said “those who honor me I will honor.” When he won, the theater audience cheered just as crowds at the Olympics did some fifty years earlier. Yet when Tebow takes a knee to give thanks to God in public for his strength and success, he’s scorned by many for wearing his Christianity on his sleeve. There’s one way to settle this once and for all, of course. And that’s for some team to bring Tebow aboard and START him at the position he was born to play…quarterback.
But even the Jacksonville Jaguars owner who is known for his outgoing personality, crazy promotions and losing franchise, seems blind to the possibilities of what Tim Tebow could mean to his struggling team both on the field and at the gate.
So, sadly, it’s unlikely that Tebow will wind up with my Vikings either. After all, how could a team like the Vikings ever find success with a quarterback that scrambles around in the backfield like a scared jackrabbit?
Oh, yeah. There was this guy.
11 Responses
Well said Doug!
Love this blog, Doug—-Oh, what I wouldn’t do to see Fran Tarkenton run around again—-The heavens know Christian Ponder will probably not do anything near that!!
Although I hadn’t gone so far as to think it should be the Vikings that give Tim the chance, I’ve long thought that he’s been ostracized because he openly displays his Christianity, which makes many people uncomfortable. I for one think he’s a very brave man to openly give credit where credit is due. He’s simply being tossed around like a ping pong ball, I suspect until he himself calls it quits. I hope he doesn’t do that. It’s pretty much gotten to the point with the Vikings that I’ll cheer for whatever team will give Tebow a fighting chance, but please, God, don’t let it be Dallas! 😎
Tim Tebow is an outstanding human being that if given a legitimate chance would most likely do some great things in the NFL.
Doug, and anyone else.
If Tebow was really such a great QB the owners and coaches would not care one hoot if he had 4 ears and 2 noses or whatever his religious beliefs are.
Viking fan
I agree with Viking fan. If Tebow was such a great QB I am sure the other 29 NFL teams would be beating a path to his agent to sign him up. Everyone has seen what Tebow has to offer in his QB skills. When you compare Tebow to Redskins RG3, 49er’s Kaepernick, and Seahawks Wilson you can see that he falls short in his capabilities as a QB. Tebow has been in the league for 3 years he should have gained some skills in that amount of time and he hasnt. He has been coached off season and he still reverts back to his college day antics which worked in college but it’s not working for him in the NFL. There are many other NFL players who are Christians who praise God openly. Reggie White was also known for his Christian ministry as an ordained Evangelical minister. No one was holding Mr White back from being a great player in the NFL because of his religious beliefs. What is holding Mr Tebow back is his QB abilities and nothing more.
Well said Doug. Tebow is being ostracized for being openly Christian. He deserves to be a starting QB!
My guess is Tim Tebow will go to the Canadian Football League where just like Tim Tebow a great college QB but underused former NFL QB (Doug Flutie) went and was praised for his skills and eventually led his team to the Canadian league’s version of the Super Bowl.
Tim Tebow is a great guy. That doesn’t make him a great–or even good–NFL quarterback. It takes a special set of skills to make it as an NFL quarterback. Just ask Eric Crouch, the former Nebraska quarterback (and 2001 Heisman Trophy winner) who is now playing for the UFL’s Omaha Nighthawks and selling medical supplies.
Tim Tebow has a 47% completion ratio in the NFL and a quarterback rating of 72. That’s just not a recipe for success in the NFL. If you want your Vikings to have a 4-12 record every year, by all means hire Tebow as your quarterback.
anybody would be better than Ponder, maybe even a high school player. I can not figure out why the owner and coaches can not see they need someone that can really throw a pass
Right, and Blaine Gabbert, Christian Ponder, Matt Cassel and Josh Freeman have the special skills needed to be an NFL QB….Tebow is much better than those fellas.