Tebow to the Browns?

At this point trying to pick a spot for Tebow to play seems like a fools errand.  I wrote thousands of words last season analyzing various scenarios where he might get picked up.  None of them happened, and in retrospect it all seems like such wishful thinking.  But I am a diehard fan of Tim Tebow, and diehard fans don't give up.  Ever. In that respect we are no different than diehard fans of any of the 32 NFL teams.  We have just chosen to assign our loyalty based on character rather than geography.  Our loyalty is freely given and fiercely held, and anyone who chooses to mock it can kiss my 4th point of contact.  (Bonus points if you know where that reference came from without Googling it)


So with that said, I do think conditions might be lining up for an opportunity with the Browns.  The following key elements are in place:

1. A new head coach, Mike Pettine, who knows Tim and is on the record saying good things about him.
2. A new offensive coordinator, Kyle Shanahan, who loves the read option and mobile quarterbacks.
3. A new Owner, Jimmy Haslam, who claims to feel a strong sense of duty to his fan base.
4. A fan base that calls their team the "Factory of Sadness" and desperately needs a dose of hope.

Everyone knows the Browns need a new quarterback.  Between now and the draft, volumes will be written trying to predict what they will do.  Early speculation centers on Johnny Manziel, which some people see as an either/or proposition for Tim Tebow.

I see a Manziel pick as increasing the appeal of Tebow for the Browns.  They both play the same style of football ... designed runs, improvisation, scrambling.  If the Browns pick Manziel, they will need a backup QB that fits in the same system, and Tim does that.  That was the whole argument that Denver gave for getting rid of Tim ... you can't have two different offensive systems, one for the starter and one for the backup.

There are two other reasons that Tebow would be a good compliment for Manziel.  First, Manziel is rather small, and smallish QBs get hurt in the NFL, especially when they run alot.  Tebow is big, strong, and durable, and would be a good hedge.  You can bet that Kyle Shanahan learned from his experience losing RGIII to injury and then watching him become run-shy.

Second, Johnny Football needs a big brother to mentor him on life and professional conduct.  There are a lot of character red flags waving there.  Who has more character and sets a better example than Tim Tebow?

Of course the Browns could also go in another direction.  They could trade for Cousins, who Shanahan is reportedly a big booster of.  They could draft another QB, like Bridgewater or Bortles.  They could cast their lot with Hoyer, who won games last year until he blew his knee out. However, if you are Pettine you have to wonder if Hoyer will be the same player after his injury. 

For what it's worth, I still have not given up hope on the Patriots.  Malllet is already the subject of intensive trade rumors, with the Texans reportedly strongly interested.  If he does get traded, opening up a need at backup for Tom Brady, I would hope Tim at least gets a shot to demonstrate his new throwing motion and improved accuracy.

It's going to be a crappy and nerve wracking few months leading up to the draft and training camp.  But I'm I die hard fan, and I won't give up if Tim won't.

edit: the Browns releasing both Campbell and Weeden would be consistent with this outcome.