Philadelphia Eagles: Tebow Improving, Crucial Puzzle Piece for Kelly Offense
Despite all of his detractors, Tim Tebow is working hard to continue his dream of being an NFL quarterback. Coming into the NFL, Tebow’s mechanics were awful. His throwing motion was awkward, but his playmaking skills were undeniable. Is he the kind of guy who will win an NFL game by throwing 50 times for 250 yards? No. Not by any stretch of the imagination.
After getting his chance in Denver, being thrown into the fire with New York, and getting a miniscule chance in New England, Tim Tebow has finally found his NFL home. Chip Kelly knows how to handle the media attention with cunning one-liners and the ability to shut questions down by making the questioner question whether or not his question was even a valid one.
Tim Tebow isn’t in Philadelphia to win the starting quarterback job. He might not even be there to win the back-up job. He’s there to prove he has what it takes to run a very specific, critical aspect of the “Chip Kelly offense” that has been missing for two years. The mobile, short throwing quarterback he’s been looking for is finally in his house. Tebow is there to run the short-yardage, redzone offense in Philadelphia. It takes Sam Bradford off the field and out of the scramble redzone plays that lead to the injuries Kelly is trying to prevent. Chip even tried to change the two-point conversion rule, which would have made Tebow even more valuable to his offense.
Here is what Kelly proposed to the NFL Competition Committee and the NFL coaches
Eagles Proposal – On the extra-point attempt, the ball will be snapped at the 15-yard line, similar to the Patriots proposal. The Eagles take it an extra step though with the two-point conversion. The two-point conversion would be moved from the two yard line to the one yard line. Also, defenses would be able to score on a blocked kick or a turnover during a two point conversion. If a defense scores on a turnover, they will be awarded a safety (two points)
While his proposal didn’t pass, the league did adjust how the two-point conversion will be handled. Here is the official rule change approved for one season by the league
Competition Committee Proposal – As with the previous proposal, the extra-point attempt will be snapped from the 15-yard line. The two-point conversion will remain at the two yard line, but the defense can still score on a turnover. A safety will only be worth one point in the event of a score off a turnover.
To keep the job, heck, EARN the job, Tebow has to completely reinvent himself. Not the mobile, short throwing quarterback he was in college. The awkward arm mechanics. The former Heisman winner has spent the better part of 18 months working out at USC with former pitcher and “arm mechanic” Tom House. Take a look at Tebow from his rookie season and what he’s been doing recently.
The other factor that makes Tebow such an attractive puzzle piece for Chip Kelly is his demeanor. Chip always preaches about culture, and with so much turn around in the locker room, having a guy with that kind of attitude and spiritual presence as Tebow is incredibly valuable. Being able to rally the troops and keep everyone on track with their individual responsibilities is Tim’s specialty. Everyone on the Eagles has their own specific job. Making sure everyone understands and accepts that is key to the Philadelphia Eagles success in 2015 and beyond. That’s been their biggest issues the past two seasons and that’s why certain people are no longer in that locker room. Kelly tried to work with what he had and it resulted in back-to-back 10-6 seasons. While that’s a long way from Andy Reid’s 4-12 team, it’s not enough for a win or bust mentality owned by Kelly. To him, missing the playoffs at 10-6 is the same as going 4-12. That’s why having Tim there to help not just the offense but the locker room is the biggest, most important piece to the Kelly system. He creates a culture that keeps everyone in check and provides an offensive specialty that will not only provide exciting winters in Philadelphia, but keep the Eagles healthy and strong for a sustained playoff run. My prediction? Tim earns a job on the Eagles 53 man roster and scores a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football.
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