Below is a list of free agent QB's on the market. A few QB's have already been signed from the list. Those names are in blue strikethrough font.
Every time a starting QB or backup goes down to injury, one of the players on this list will be signed. It is attrition warfare, a numbers game.
EDIT: I cleaned up the table. No team is going to sign someone without some recent tape to evaluate, so I removed anyone who did not play in the preseason.
The remaining free agents are sorted by QBR. That's an eye opener.
If you are wondering what is different this year from last year, it's simple. Last year Tim did not play in the preseason. He was not even on the list. This year he is. And he is pretty high up, if you go by objective standards.
| Name | Last | Current | Camp | NFL Exp | Preseason QBR |
| Michael Vick | NYJ | PIT | 1 week | Yes | 113.5 |
| Thaddeus Lewis | CLE | PHI | full | Yes | 56.8 |
| Josh Johnson | NYJ | IND | full | Yes | 80.5 |
| T.J. Yates | ATL | HOU | full | Yes | 64.6 |
| Matt Flynn | NYG | NO | full | Yes | 111.9 |
| Kellen Moore | DET | DAL | full | Yes | ? |
| Ryan Mallett | HOU | BAL | full | Yes | |
| Keith Wenning | CIN | CIN | full | No | 22.6 |
| Stephen Morris | JAX | IND | full | No | 79.7 |
| BJ Daniels | SEA | HOU | as WR | No | 6/14 |
| Alex Tanney | TEN | TEN | full | No | 125.6 |
| Josh Freeman | MIA | IND | full | Yes | 43.1 |
| Ryan Lindley | NE | IND | partial | Yes | 57.0 |
| Stephen Morris | JAX | IND | full | No | |
| Christian Ponder | DEN | full | Yes | 81.3 | |
| Tim Tebow | PHI | full | Yes | 90.7 | |
| Phillip Sims | ARI | full | 88.8 | ||
| Jeff Tuel | JAC | JAC ps | full | Yes | 71.4 |
| McLeod Bethel-Thompson | MIA | SF ps | full | Yes | 43.9 |
| Mike Kafka | MIN | full | limited | 109.5 (9/13) | |
| Bryn Renner | BAL | TEN ps | full | 91.1 | |
| Jake Heaps | NYJ | partial | 39.6 | ||
| Bryan Bennett | IND | full | 15.4 | ||
| Cody Fajardo | OAK | full | 4.2 |
Up for discussion: what order they get picked in. I'd say Ponder and Flynn are the clear first choices; Ponder because he has a reasonable body of work as a starter and no major issues, Flynn because he had one good game years ago and the establishment continues to love him for some reason.
ReplyDeleteAfter that it's a crap shoot, and will depend on the circumstances of each situation. Familiarity wit the play book will be a major factor, as will be personal familiarity between the player and coaches. I can't really see anyone bringing a malcontent like Mallett in, but other than that they are on roughly equal footing.
Flynn went thru TC with the Jets so if they don't make a trade he's the most logical choice. Ponder has already turned down Dallas I believe, so he's either being picky about personnel or money. Either way I suspect he'll land somewhere soon.
DeleteIf they want to do something bold, truly memorable, & take a chance on winning the only choice is Tebow. Anything else would be the usual window dressing we are so accustomed to seeing.
DeleteFlynn to the Jets is a no brainer.
DeleteI didn't know Ponder turned down Dallas. My guess is he was looking for a season-long opening, not a 6 week rental.
Gabbert over Kap. Just wow. Gabbert over anyone is shocking, but 3 years ago Kap was nearly unstoppable, and the guy can still run as well as any QB in the game. This smells more like a warning shot than a permanent benching.
Looks like this week is shaping up to be the start of the "do something" period. Whisenhunt fired, Lions OC fired, Kap benched. Those teams reached the point where it was no longer possible to pretend a turnaround was possible. All those teams had 2 or less wins. Remaining members of the 2 win club are the Browns, Bears, Jaguars, Ravens, Chargers, and Skins. Gotta think a couple of those teams will take drastic action next weekend if they lose again. Caldwell, Pettine, and Gruden could be on the hot seat for mid-season firings.
ReplyDeleteI've been out of pocket all day. Just took a cursory look and didn't notice any QB transactions - is that correct? If so I'm a little surprised.
DeleteBTW forget blown knees and boneheaded coaches. The day Caldwell gets sacked is the day you experience the ultimate Schadenfreude.
Sorry, I meant Jim Caldwell, head coach of the Lions. Would love to see David Caldwell get fired, but I doubt Shad is inclined to do that just yet. He strikes me as deferential to conventional wisdom, which says it takes 3 seasons to rebuild a broken franchise. I think he gives them until the end of the season and then makes a decision based on the trajectory of the club.
DeleteColts just fired their OC.
DeleteColts just fired their OC.
DeleteMight see a few more firings this week. Pettine and staff at Cleveland have to be shaky. I'm guessing Shad gives Bradley til the end of the season to show signs of life with Jaguars. To be fair, they are not as crushingly bad as in previous years.
ReplyDeleteNone of that impacts Tim's prospects. We'll have to see a rash of ACL tears for him to even get looked at. His public profile suggests he knows that.
That leaves the CFL and AFL next season. Hopefully he does one. AFL intrigues me a bit more, for two reasons. First, it offers Tim a chance to focus on his greatest weaknesses: quick decisions and short, accurate passes. Second, I don't think the AFL season precludes an NFL contract in the same season like the CFL does.
Bradford had a decent game last night. But I still wish the Eagles ill. Still a gut punch to realize how comprehensively Chip screwed Tim over.
We will know more about the Eagles when they go to New England Dec. 6th. The only top notch team on their schedule. They did just enough to win but I still do not consider them a good team.
DeleteI heard from someone who has a source in the NFL that both the Cowboys & the Steelers contacted Tim after Big Ben & Romo were injured. What the extent of the contact was I do not know. The good news is at least there is some interest tepid as it may be. The bad news is whatever was offered was not enough to lure Tim away from what he is doing now. It was probably a situation where he would be given an opportunity to compete with some others as opposed to an avenue from backup to starter.
He is probably not in too much of a hurry to repeat his previous experiences. I hope he still wants to play & gets an opportunity with someone who's word means something.
Where on earth did you hear that? I'm not questioning you, it's just surprising. As an aside, interesting that Matt Flynn just signed with the Saints. I'd thought the Jets would've had some interest in him.
DeleteI'd personally rather see Tim go to the CFL over the AFL, mainly because I'm in no rush to see him return to the NFL. But whatever, I guess I'd be delighted if he played anywhere at this point.
Scratch that, you already explained where you heard it. Still surprising. Re the Eagles: they had a two-week break to prepare for this game and barely won against the Cowboys' back-up's, brand new back-up. New England is going to murder them.
DeleteHadn't heard about Flynn and the Saints. Apparently McCown is out for the season. That's an illustration of how quickly spots can open up. The season is only half over; the body count will grow.
DeleteRemember, no more trades. As of last week, all replacements come from the free agent pool.
Flynn was one of the last two safe picks on the list. After Ponder, everyone else is either a complete unknown or comes with significant baggage.
Tim, let's face it, comes with baggage. But he also comes with a winning record. I believe he still has a chance. The slimmest of slim chances, yes, but at some point in the next 8 games, the math is going to force someone to look at him on the merits.
Ok, I updated the list. I ranked all remaining QB's by their preseason QBR. Look closely, because it is an eye opener.
ReplyDeleteTim has a shot, folks. I genuinely believe it. This is different than last year. He has solid game film and a respectable QBR.
Andrew Luck just went down for 2-6 games. Indy will most likely sign a nobody to add depth just in case, but the top candidates like Ponder won't touch it. Zero chance of seeing the field in that gig.
More QB's will go down every week. And every time that happens, someone is going to come off this list.
Kellen Moore signed with Indy. Somehow I missed him on my list, and also missed that Josh Johnson had previously been released by Indy and signed by Buffalo.
DeleteSome consternation on Twitter that Indy didn't go for Tim. I don't see it. Would have been a bad deal for Tim or whoever else took the job. Hasselbeck is one of the best backups in the NFL, and Luck could be back in a few games. This is a 3 game rental of a clipboard holder.
My operating theory is that the FA list can be divided into 2 groups. The first group are those who have never played in the NFL, need the money, and will take any job offered for any length of time. The second group are established QB's looking to resurrect their careers. They want either a legit chance to play, or a long term backup spot. Ponder, Tebow, Kafka, and Freeman are in the latter group. They are going to be more choosy and will probably turn down situations like Indy, short term gigs with low prospects to see the field.
Tim's been working w/House again:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.gramfeed.com/theartofamightymidget503
It's the first 2 pics on her feed.
Here are the direct IG links to these pics & her captions:
Deletehttps://instagram.com/p/99Eqv5pp5f/
https://instagram.com/p/99RVvWppyk/
It just dawned on me that this development might get some on here hopeful that Tim's gotten a call from a team. That's possible, but I lean towards believing that he's been working w/TH for months, but doing it at a time when other people weren't around to take pics. The reason I think this is b/c Tim's made several mystery trips to L.A. this football season & only had a business-related reason to be there for 1 of those trips (appearing on a tv show that's going to air in 1/16). It's possible that he *has* been dating the L.A.-based woman he's been linked to & going to L.A. to visit her, but I have serious doubts about that for reasons I won't bore you w/.
DeleteGreat find, Brooke! At last some good news!
DeleteYes, even if he hasn't gotten a call from a team, it is good news that he hasn't given up. And, tbh, I didn't find this. Someone on that site we both hate found it...which is exactly why I keep going back to that horrible place every day. :)
DeleteVERY welcome news.
DeleteThis could be a big ol' sack of wishful thinking, but I think Tim has a real shot.
I'll bet Jimmy Sexton has a list very similar to mine, and I'll bet he is crossing off names too. He knows where Tim ranks on that list in the eyes of teams. He knows that when the next QB goes down, there are only 3 or 4 credible choices left, and Tim is one of them. He knows that, on average, one starting QB will be hurt during each week of the season, which means that 3 or 4 teams will need a quarterback in November.
It's interesting to consider Tim's media profile in that light. Last year he was all over the TV. This year he has limited his appearances to his contracturally obligated SEC Network gig. As Kathryn pointed out, he has avoided any kind of football-related appearances such as throwing with teams. He has given no interviews about his future, and nobody noteworthy from the league has commented on his future.
What's different? Well, last year Tim was not in a camp and had no preseason film. He did not have a snowball's chance in hell of getting on a roster, and he knew it. So he had nothing to lose from doing GMA, commercials, and whatever else paid the rent.
This year he has a full camp under his belt, some solid film, the 2nd highest QBR among available free agents, and a track record of performing under pressure. He also has a very well connected agent, and the wise counsel of many experienced mentors.
At this point we just have to trust that Tim and his team know his chances, and are behaving prudently to maximize those chances.
To address the direct topic of discussion, I do not think Tim has gotten a serious call. But that's not how it usually works at this stage in the season.
DeleteOdds are that at least one starting QB will get carted off the field on Sunday. By Monday morning the doctor will deliver bad news to the team. They will start frantically working the phones with free agents to get someone on the roster by Tuesday morning practice, just like Indy did this week and just like New Orleans did last week.
Tim knows he has a 25-50% chance of getting that call, and he better be ready when it comes.
I'm not as optimistic about Tim getting a call this season, and I'm not even sure 'optimism' is the right way to frame it. Is it optimistic to hope that other guys get nailed with season-ending or worse injuries just for some team to reluctantly open the door for Tim? In such a context what kind of opportunity would that amount to anyway? We need to be honest about this. Tim can't just roll in to some team's training facility and start a week later. We've seen it time and again, and saw it in Technicolor this preseason: he needs the time and reps to learn a playbook kinesthetically. Starting him, or even playing him at all, before he's ready would be more likely than not to lead to disaster - think the notorious New England debut. A coach isn't going to tolerate something like that for more than a few drives, let alone the rest of the season. Such an outcome would set his professional prospects back more than if he didn't play at all, and might kill them altogether.
DeleteI'm encouraged to see him training because it suggests he's been considering his next steps and has decided to get back on the horse. I hope that he is thinking long-term and has decided to take Chip Kelly's advice, and that next season we'll see him starting for a team in the CFL. Nothing wrong at all with going up there for a few seasons, and with some patience and the right attitude it could turn into an enormously profitable success, professionally, commercially and financially.
I certainly wouldn't mind being wrong about this, but it just seems far more realistic and sensible than the whole nuclear scenario. My two cents.
The Tebow/Lewis QBR comparison was eye opening to me. It's laughable to think he wasn't good enough. The reality is he wasn't bad enough & everyone knows it.
DeleteI hope if Tim does play again it's in the NFL. That's what he wants, that's what he deserve's.
Tim in a limited offense with 10 to 15 plays to start while learning the playbook as he goes would be a far better bet to take a team on a playoff run than many of the QB's in the league running sophisticated offenses.
The question is who will let him do it?!
All that being said I think Ed might be onto something. My instinct keeps telling me he will get an opportunity! The opening just has to be the right fit.
>>The question is who will let him do it?!<<
DeleteNo one, because they don't agree. And since they're the gatekeepers it's decidedly irrelevant what Tim wants or what we think he deserves, isn't it? Let's look at this from a more logical perspective and ask instead what do they want? The answer is now and always has been the same: go learn the game in the CFL. How many times across how many seasons and by how many people must it be said? Until then no amount of calculus involving QBR charts, freak injuries and Jimmy Sexton's Rolodex is going to make a bit of difference.
What could he possibly prove in Canada that he has not already proven here. He looked like a legitimate starting Quarterback in that last preseason game in Philly & he has already proven as a flawed raw player coming out of college he could win games. Which is much more than can be said for most other quarterbacks.
ReplyDeleteSince yes they are the gatekeepers the question must be asked. How many losing seasons & firings does it take to recognize they might be wrong about this.
Schadenfreude.
Looking good in a preseason finale against backups and third stringers, and in comparison to Matt Barkley, is one thing. Making pro scheme reads and throws consistently throughout training camp is another. As tempting as it is to accuse four coaching staffs of conspiracy, how about instead swallowing the bitter pill and accepting that they are earnest? They're the ones with something to lose. If they believed he could jump in and drive them to the playoffs with a dozen plays he'd have been signed long ago. What happened to taking things at face value, and why must we view a stint in the CFL as some sort of punishment?
DeleteIt's not an either-or situation. Pursuing an NFL opening for the rest of this season and going to the CFL next spring are not mutually exclusive. He can do both.
DeleteI feel the face value conclusion is that he anticipated having a potential roster opportunity at this stage of the season. Everything he has done since being cut can be reasonably explained by that possibility. It doesn't take a lot of wild assumptions, just observation of the history of the league. Every year QBs get injured in the middle of the season and free agents who were cut at the end of camp get signed.
I do not think Tim has clearly established he can consistently win as a starter in the NFL yet. However, I do think he has established that he can consistently play better than many of the backups currently on NFL rosters. His QBR during this preseason objectively proves that. The wild card, as always in his career, has been whether a team is willing to accept the media and fan attention that accompanies him. This is nothing new.
Tom apparently thinks he has a chance. He has an agent who can call all 32 teams, so I'm going to trust that he knows his prospects better than we do.
I'm not arguing that the pursuits are mutually exclusive. I'm making the case for why I think that it's unlikely that he's going to get a call from the NFL this season. No one is right or wrong, here, because there's not enough information at our disposal to do anything but speculate. I would point out, however, that we've been down this same road numerous times in the last three years, certain that it was only a matter of time and midseason circumstance before he'd get his shot, and every time we've been wrong.
DeleteThink back to a year ago when Arizona, on a certain run to the playoffs, lost their starter and backup in a matter of three weeks. A playoff run was on the line and it was so late in the season that teams were scraping the bottom of the barrel for relief quarterbacks. We were certain that the table was set for Bruce Arians to pick up the phone and give Tim a call; and when Tim that weekend was spotted on a flight to Phoenix we were certain he was en route to a workout. Denying what we thought then would be dishonest to a point that renders any further discussion pointless.
What happened? Arians picked up the phone and called Ryan Lindley instead, and we came back here and wrote a post mortem on our busted prediction. Lindley had been on the Cards' practice squad earlier that season was the explanation; but you can pick out any number of such explanations: system fit, the "circus", this coach and that player share the same agent, this general manager knew that player from a prior team, Tim doesn't look good in our jerseys, or the most obvious at this point, Chip Kelly just gave Tim an extended tryout and doesn't think he's good enough. And the fact that Chip replaced him with a guy whose preseason QBR was 30% lower than Tim's should tell you how much weight these coaches place in QBR's.
Bottom Line: the NFL doesn't think he's good enough. We can argue QBR and playoff wins all day long; the fact of the matter is that a coach with a playoff run on the line would rather pick up the phone and call the Ryan Lindley's of the league. Because there's always a reason that someone else is a better choice than Tim.
As far as the sighting at USC is concerned, we could all be jumping the gun. This is the first he's been spotted there since he was cut. I don't buy this notion that he's been training in secret - what on earth for? For all we know he was just killing time between meetings with his agents. I'm encouraged that he's there at all because of what it suggests in my mind, but even I know that the CFL scenario is a stretch. The point I'm making is that the NFL option is an even bigger stretch, one that given history and the present set of circumstances is in my opinion unattainable.
You're absolutely right that we were wrong on Arizona last year, especially me. However, I think you are drawing the wrong conclusion from that event.
DeleteTim was NEVER going to get called last year, not by AZ or anyone else, for one simple reason: he did not play in the preseason. No coach is going to sign a QB without evaluating him, and recent game tape is the only way to do that.
The difference this year is obvious: Tim has tape, and decent tape at that.
AZ signing Lindley was no great mystery. He was in the AZ camp and knew their offense. No QB can learn an offense in a week or two, so Lindley was always the obvious choice, no matter how bad he was.
Look, every QB on this list is "not good enough." Every single remaining free agent was either cut or not signed. Matt Flynn was cut. He's on a team. Thad Lewis was cut. Josh Johnson was cut. They are on teams.
Some of those "not good enough" QB's will become good enough over the next few weeks. That is a fact. Will Tim be among them? Who knows? But honestly, hope is more satisfying than Shadenfreude, so that's where I'm staying until December.
You're absolutely right that we were wrong on Arizona last year, especially me. However, I think you are drawing the wrong conclusion from that event.
DeleteTim was NEVER going to get called last year, not by AZ or anyone else, for one simple reason: he did not play in the preseason. No coach is going to sign a QB without evaluating him, and recent game tape is the only way to do that.
The difference this year is obvious: Tim has tape, and decent tape at that.
AZ signing Lindley was no great mystery. He was in the AZ camp and knew their offense. No QB can learn an offense in a week or two, so Lindley was always the obvious choice, no matter how bad he was.
Look, every QB on this list is "not good enough." Every single remaining free agent was either cut or not signed. Matt Flynn was cut. He's on a team. Thad Lewis was cut. Josh Johnson was cut. They are on teams.
Some of those "not good enough" QB's will become good enough over the next few weeks. That is a fact. Will Tim be among them? Who knows? But honestly, hope is more satisfying than Shadenfreude, so that's where I'm staying until December.
Deleted response to repost inline:
Delete>>Tim was NEVER going to get called last year, not by AZ or anyone else...<<
My point is that we didn't believe that without 20/20 hindsight, and that we're suffering the same cataracts now.
>>for one simple reason: he did not play in the preseason. No coach is going to sign a QB without evaluating him, and recent game tape is the only way to do that.<<
So we add that to the multiple list of reasons he wasn't picked up last season, reasons that we ultimately ignored so that we could indulge wishful thinking time and again as teams lost their quarterbacks. It was only after the fact that we acknowledged these reasons and we're falling into the same pattern this season.
>>The difference this year is obvious: Tim has tape, and decent tape at that. <<
Other than the preseason finale it didn't set him apart; and if he can't set himself apart then the "circus" factor is fatal. Not his fault but it is what it is; and it's why the guy he creamed in that game has a job.
Another difference this year? Instead of letting actions imply it we've got a head coach flat out telling the rest of the league and the world "he's not good enough." A dubious distinction that *does* set him apart, no?
I don't begrudge or resent your hope and enthusiasm for what might be possible, and I'm not rooting against Tim, but I just can't ride along this time. I'm tired of being disappointed.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone is watching the Eagles - Dolphins game hoping to catch some shadenfreude, don't bother. That Miami kickoff return was maybe the worst play in the history of the NFL. Butt fumble bad.
ReplyDeleteI figure wait and let New England in one swoop crush them into oblivion and give them a preview of what their playoff prospects look like should they make it that far.
DeleteWow, just wow.
DeleteBradford hurt. Sanchez comes in. Eagles down by 1, ball inside the 10, 2nd and goal. All they have to do is not turn it over for 2 plays, kick a field goal, and run down the clock. Instead, Chip calls a pass, and Sanchez being Sanchez, throws an interception. Eagles give away a game to a terrible team at home, and do mega damage to their playoff hopes. This is about as brutal as it gets.
Is there anyone, ANYONE, who thinks that Tim Tebow would have thrown that interception? Gonna be watching the news closely for reports on Bradford. Initial report says x-rays negative, but he obviously hurt something and soft tissue injuries don't show up in x-rays.
The Shadenfreude is strong today, my friends.
Oh Wow! What a day of football it's been. I haven't had that much fun since the Seahawks trounced the Broncos in the Super Bowl a few years ago. :)
DeleteSpeaking of the Broncos they were almost shutout today. I would love it if the fans of Denver started a bring Tebow back to Denver campaign.
What a tough way for the Eagles to lose. Today's outcome was bound to happen sooner or later. I wish they would do the right thing & bring Tebow back. If he were leading this team I doubt they would be struggling the way they have all season.
Let's give a shoutout to the Patriots & their thrilling victory over their nemesis. The undefeated season is still intact & I hope they get it.
Tebow has not yet proven he can win games consistently in the league but he has more than earned the right to get the chance to prove it.
Here is to hope!
Hey all. Fun day of NFL football. Lot's of rumors flying about Tebow back in an Eagles' uniform. I'd love it.
ReplyDeleteIf there was ever proof that Sanchez is a complete liability at QB, I'm not sure what today was. How do you throw into double coverage when all you need is 3 points? But, that's Sanchez under center.
My problem is that I just don't have a read on how Chip Kelly will deal with this situation.
But, plenty of conjecture out there; and, certainly from the typical suspects: http://www.inquisitr.com/2568454/philadelphia-eagles-rumors-tim-tebow-could-return-to-the-team-after-sam-bradfords-injury
I don't put any faith in the Inquisitr's sources or insight; but, is it fun to read. :-)
I'm expecting to be disappointed this week; but, prepared to be elated.
RonDog.
When I watched the highlight video, I could not believe MS made that throw. What a stupid decision. Just awful. Vintage Sanchez.
DeleteBradford has a type 2 AC sprain and a concussion. That means the AC ligament is completely torn. Usually treated without surgery, but also usually takes at least 6 weeks to recover, according to the Internet. Bradford's season may be over.
I think the Eagles will bring in another QB for depth. They are stuck with Sanchez as their starter. If they are confident in Thad Lewis, they may just bring in whatever shlub is available as a #3. If they are at all concerned about playing Lewis, they have to bring Tim back. My previous observations about AZ signing Lindley apply directly to Tim in this instance. He was in camp, and he knows the system. To bring someone else in right now would be a devastating insult to Tim.
Ed. I completely agree with your analysis. Sanchez is a known commodity and we've seen Thad Lewis in action. This Eagles' offense could 'roll' with Tebow at the helm; and, I'm not just being a homer here. I've seen 'every' NFL snap taken by Tebow:
Delete- The Eagles running game would excel with Tebow at QB.
- The Eagles Red Zone % would improve
- The Eagles INT concerns would decrease
- The Eagles big play opportunities would increase
- The Eagles Zone Read Scheme would actually work with a running QB at the helm.
Hope it actually comes to fruition. RonDog
Attrition has been slow this year, but it picked up yesterday. 2 QB'S injured, 1 benched, and 1 "status unknown."
ReplyDeleteOf the 4, only Bradford might produce a signing, and that depends on the severity of his shoulder. If they are going to make a roster move, it will likely be tonight, so the new guy can be at practice on Tues.
Make that 3 injured. 4 if you count PM.
DeleteCowboys have Tony Romo coming back who says "Guess there is only one thing left to do. Win the whole thing".
ReplyDeleteEagles have Thad Lewis & his 56.8 QBR waiting in the wings, whose coordinator says he gets it & they don't have to tell their quarterbacks not to throw an interception before every throw.
Am I missing something or does this sound like a competitive imbalance. :)
That was a really stupid thing for Shurmur to say.
DeleteDave Weinberg: Press of Atlanctic City article; Don't give up on Mark Sanchez yet:
ReplyDeleteThis guy is GREAT! I wish some of the other beat writers would write the same way about Tim that he does.
Welp ... got all excited for nothing .... not like THAT ever happened before. Lots of injuries, but nothing long duration. Notice the pace of QB injuries is picking up. Same thing happened last year around this time.
ReplyDeleteLast year Thad Lewis was released by the Bills at the end of training camp, sat out the season for 3 months, and then was signed by Houston on Nov 24 when Ryan Mallett was hurt. Ryan Lindley was released by AZ at the end of camp, was resigned on Nov 11 when Palmer blew his knee out, and became the starter when Stanton hurt his knee on Dec 11.
Not holding my breath, but not giving up yet.
So it does happen.
It's so obvious Philly needs a quarterback to provide a spark in addition to raising the level of their overall play. The team looks lethargic to me. Sanchez may provide a bit of a spark simply because he plays faster & with more energy than Bradford does. He may come out on Sun. & look great but we know his limitations. This situation is tailor made for Tim.
DeleteYet for all the talk about how Philly needs a mobile QB who is a threat to run there is hardly a mention of bringing Tim back or how it was a mistake to cut him. Its amazing that there is more talk about getting RG III or Kaepernick for next season than there is for saving this season. When they still have a chance to win their division.
It will be really interesting to see what happens on Sun. & on Thanksgiving.
Another one bites the dust. Kap placed on season-ending IR for elective shoulder surgery. 49ers only have 2 QBs on roster, one of them an undrafted rookie from their practice squad and the other Blaine Gabbert. Pretty high odds this situation will generate a free agent signing early next week.
ReplyDeleteAnother one bites the dust. Kap placed on season-ending IR for elective shoulder surgery. 49ers only have 2 QBs on roster, one of them an undrafted rookie from their practice squad and the other Blaine Gabbert. Pretty high odds this situation will generate a free agent signing early next week.
ReplyDeleteThis has really become a depressing matter lately. I went as far as dreaming about this issue, and I rarely dream the last 5 years. I dreamt him playing on field in a strange non NFL uniform, I can't remember which team or city it was. So, yeah. It went that far with me. I decided I would not go that far again.
ReplyDeleteI think that the conclusion of this story is known for a couple of years now, with only glimpse of hope looking now more as a favor Chip was paying to someone that a real shot for making a team. GMs and Coaches for what is worth, and it's the only thing that's worth, think that Tim's 2011 was a fluke and they're so convinced it was they're not even a slightly bit inclined to check that out for themselves. He never was in a competition for a roster spot in Philly, he was being treated nice because that's how he treats everyone around himself, and although we think he might be a valuable backup on a team like let's say Dallas (where it seems like Romo goes down every year for half a season), those teams will always look for washed up, noodle arm, 400 yards 6 points put up QBs that kinda look good and throw game clinching/changing INTs in the end. Those are the safe bets, if we have to lose at least he'll look decent for a half a game QBs that have the fundamentals of at least Alex Smith but the winning drive of, well, at least Alex Smith. Those are your horizontal passing, screen throwing QBs that have the ability of downfield attacking as much as I or you do. Maybe slightly more, but just that.
And that's why I'm out. Sadly, but I'm tapping out. I come here to read what nice and thoughtful things Kathryn and Ed have to write, I come here to enjoy how optimistic and pumped up about Tim RonDog and Bob are. But I can't do it anymore. I'm deeply sadden by how all of this has gone down. I still can't believe that a player of Tim's caliber, an athlete of Tim's willpower can't get one of lets say 50 jobs that QB's in this league have. I just can't believe that. And I have played professional sports in my country and I can spot a talent where I see one. It might not look like everyone around him, but when you see talent, you know what you saw.
So, that's why I'm out. And I'm not putting the blame only on those doing "wrong to Tim". He shares a blunt load of blame too. Going to New York that year. All on him and his agents. He should have gone to Jax and be a home town hero. I know it's with hindsight now, but there's a saying in my country that goes something like this: "better to be a hero in your village than just an another guy in the big city."
So yeah. Take care ya'll and Godspeed to Tim whatever he decides to do with his life going forward.
Best
Josip
"If you can look into the seeds of time and tell me which grain will grow and which will not, speak then to me."
DeleteA little Shakespeare to get Sunday morning going.
I don't think Tim can be blamed for his football decisions. I think he earnestly chose to go to the Jets because he believed there he had the greater chance to succeed. That seems impossible knowing what we know now, but again we rely on hindsight to judge the decision. We weren't there in the room with all of the relevant facts and considerations at our disposal when the decision was made, and that's all that we as outsiders need to know to be at peace with it.
I do take issue, on the other hand, with his decision to cultivate a television career while still in pursuit of football. It's hard to think of a more counterproductive message to telegraph to teams, to the press and to your fans. If he felt it was a serviceable way to make income while training on the sly and trying to get back into the League his way, fine, but he ought to know by now that his way isn't going to cut it.
Josip your frustration with these teams is eloquent and I share it. I recognize calcified attitudes when I see them, and do not envision a scenario in which Tim gets another call - including from the Eagles. I don't agree with it, but it is what it is.
Waiting around for some NFL coach to grow a sack is a fool's endeavor. Tim knows what he needs to do if he wants to keep his football dream alive. The only question that remains is whether or not he's willing to do it. There's another handful of seeds in his palm and no telling which one he believes will grow.
Don't hang it up yet. Give it 2 more weeks. Seriously.
DeleteThis is the last bye week. In the next 15 days there will be 46 games. Linemen are getting tired, players are getting sloppy, and chronic injuries are piling up. One team just lost their franchise QB yesterday, and there will be more.
Ed, we've been doing this together for what, three years now!? I come here with a glimpse of hope something's gonna change for Tim and he's at least gonna be a backup so I can stalk his practice footage and get my Tebow fix there.
DeleteI get no happiness in how Eagles lost today, although it has to be sobering for them on who they hedged their season on. A TO machine and a limping health insurance poster child. Fuck Chip Kelly with both of them right in this sentence:
"Tim's really progressed but we didn't feel like he was good enough to be the three right now," Kelly said.
FUCK HIM! AND FUCK THEM ALL!
I apologize.
Josip/Lu
No reason to apologize. I think we all share your sentiments.
DeleteBut lookit, the shadenfruede that has been building up all season blew up right in Chip's face today. Routed by a poor team, Sanchez at his most Sanchizey, and playoff hopes all but dashed.
Oh yeah, and another starting QB is out for the season, with the day not yet half over.
I have to believe the Ravens and 49ers situations are going to generate roster moves. Ponder and Kafka? That list is getting awfully short.
It's one thing to say "F#@& you, Chip Kelly" on the internet.
DeleteIt's quite another thing to watch the NFL say "F#@&* you" to Chip Kelly on the field. Oh, and the media is just getting started. :)
>>A TO machine and a limping health insurance poster child<<
Delete::snort::
Will either of those fit on the backs of their jerseys?
MY OH MY! This Schadenfreude was even better than last week's & I really didn't think that would be possible. Sorry Josip I get alot of satisfaction on how the Eagles lost today. They had a playoff winning quaterback on the roster & they cut him for no reason. "Not good enough" is sounding better every week.
ReplyDeleteI am still of the opinion that in hindsight it was better for Tim that he did not make the final roster for this team. They have no one to blame this season's meltdown on but themselves.
The question needs to be asked for alot of these teams that refuse to sign Tim Tebow. What's better, losing doing things the way you want to do them or taking a chance on some mile high magic from 2011. To date the answer sadly has been the former.
DeleteIf they were afraid of Tebow chants from fans how is what is happening now any worse.
All the talk about culture & all the nonsense about how the Eagles practice better have better nutrition habits,sleep habits etc..all came to a head today. The only thing Chip has succeded in so far in building this culture is jettisoning the strong personalities from the team so now he is left with a team devoid of leadership.
Chip had an opportunity to stand out from his peers & go unconventional with Tim for a chance at greatness. Instead he chose convention & that is exactly what he has gotten.
"Where have you gone Tim Tebow our team turns it's lonely eyes to you. woo woo woo.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSo. I've listened to enough talking heads calling Cam Newton's 2015 Season an MVP effort. I agree, by the way, that it should be considered as such. In addition to characterizing Cam's season as an MVP season, I've heard or read ...
ReplyDeleteHere's an example, Warren Moon and Rich on The Rich Eisen Show (at 2:18) say:
- http://www.richeisenshow.com/2015/11/19/hofer-warren-moon-talks-qbs-russell-wilson-rg3-colin-kaepernick-more-in-studio-111915/
- "Cam Newton ... do you think he's putting together an MVP Season?"
- "He's got to be in consideration. There's no question about it. Everybody looks at the numbers, like, is he throwing for 4,000 or 5,000 yards like some of these QB's out there. But, they're not asking him to do that. They're asking him to do a lot of different things. He runs the football. He's there short yardage back in a lot of instances. He scores a lot of TD's on the ground as well as in the air. And the way he throws the ball down the field, he's more of a downfield thrower, which is a lower percentage passer, so his percentages aren't going to be as high as some other guys because of the kind of throws he makes. He's effective and he's productive and they are winning. So, all those things combined say you're an MVP Candidate."
I suspected; but wanted to assemble the actual data from (www.pro-football-reference.com), that Cam Newton's (MVP-worthy season) was probably very similar to Tebow's 2011 9-game run. Cam's 9-game run starting with a healthy, capable team; Tebow's 9-game run starting in GAME 6 with a team that started the season with 1 WIN & 4 LOSSES.
*** See my TWEET at: https://twitter.com/RonDogCO/status/668660431947345920
*** See GRAPHIC at: https://www.dropbox.com/s/q2so9l8lsdfggw2/Tebow2011vsNewton2015b.jpg
Newton has put together a great 1st half of a season in a way that is contrary to conventional NFL wisdom. The Panthers have NOT won games the way the NFL pundits and ex-coaches say you need to win games.
Guess what: Tebow did something very similar in 2011.
Tebow's 1st year starting in the league: Newton's 5th year in the league.
What a wasted opportunity by the Broncos, Jets and the Eagles. Ron.
49ers to sign McLeod Bethel-Thompson:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/source-bethel-thompson-sign-49ers-practice-squad
Of course they are. Why bring in someone who can actually impact your season. The 49ers are in the bag for a down year, a very down year. Sad to see my childhood team pulling a Jacksonville Jaguars' move. But, they do have Gabbert under center, so why not go full-Jaguars.
Ed has a better perspective on the Jags tendencies than I do out here west of the Mississippi. ron
Just a practice squad signing, so he's a freebee. Depth in case of injury. He has worked with the OC before, so no big surprise there.
DeleteSimilarly, I would expect the Ravens to sign Bryn Renner. Not sure how I left him off my list, but he played the full preseason with the Ravens. His stats aren't bad, just a few notches below Tim for the preseason. Not someone to save the season, but probably a no-brainer for Baltimore.
This is actually his 3rd trip to the 'Niners.
DeleteAnd at any rate they've been talking themselves into believing that Gabbert is the answer for the rest of the season--what with the tough and gritty way in which he led the team to an embarrassing loss--so do yourself a favor and don't harbor delusions that Sexton's line is about to ring from a Santa Clara County area code. Easier on morale to just sit back and watch them circle the drain.
DeleteFeel free to copy/paste that last sentence every time you think a door has cracked open.
>> "Easier on morale to just sit back and watch them circle the drain."
Delete- very funny line. Will keep this line handy going forward.
>> "so do yourself a favor and don't harbor delusions that Sexton's line is about to ring from a Santa Clara County area code."
- no delusions here. Just reading local news quoting Tomsula:
... http://sfo.247sports.com/Bolt/San-Francisco-49ers-to-work-out-at-least-one-quarterback-Monday-41335929
... http://www.ninersnation.com/2015/11/23/9786052/49ers-bringing-in-2-quarterbacks-for-workouts-on-monday
... Then seeing local beat reporter, Matt Maiocco, report the workout was for Bethel-Thompson: http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/source-bethel-thompson-sign-49ers-practice-squad
I do agree that the Niners are talking themselves into believing Gabbert is their guy. Whatever happened to judging a team and a QB by the Win or the Loss?
I am so sick and tired of teams, coaches, talking heads, analysts saying, "Their QB really played well in that loss today."
What I do know is that Gabbert isn't a difference-maker. He is not the guy for the Niners.
Ron.
Ravens signed Jimmy Clausen. He was released by the Bears yesterday, after they signed David Fales from their practice squad. Apparently other teams had been sniffing around Fales, so the Bears signed him rather than lose him, choosing to lose Clausen instead. Clausen worked for Ravens OC Marc Trestman last year in Chicago. So yeah, the merry-go-round of mediocrity continues. Seems like at this stage of the season, knowing the coach carries a lot of weight.
DeleteWow, is Manziel the anti-Tebow or what?
ReplyDeleteITA on Manziel. Shameful to see someone with so much talent just piss it away like that. And born with a silver spoon in his mouth so he doesn't even need it.
DeleteFunny enough, several sources said last week that Pettine did not want to start JF but was under heavy pressure from the GM and owner to do so. In which case, this event was a gift-wrapped opportunity for him to wriggle out of the situation.
Heh. Fate's way of telling the owner and GM to stay out of it.
DeleteIDK, this seems like a Brett Favre Falcons days to me. I hope he turns it around, because there's a ton of talent in that kid. He's just a special special player with a huge amounts of instinct and swagger. He's the spoiled do what ever I want Tebow type of player. With a slightly better arm and more quicks. But less durability. Not saying that's good, but it's also what makes him the player he is.
DeleteIf only he can channel that into something more positive. And he's also, what, 22? 23? Oh man, I used to go out on Friday, party, get drunk, go for a sobering run in the morning, lift weights in the afternoon and play a game in the evening. Then I grew up. I hope he gets it sooner than later.
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
ReplyDeleteI was going to write a long examination about why I think watching Tim waiting around for a call from the NFL is the emotional equivalent of watching a dog get repeatedly kicked in the balls by its owner and then returning for more abuse in the hopes of getting some table scraps...but then I thought better of it because why oh why bring everybody down at the holidays? :-D
At any rate you all know where I stand at this point and there's no reason to belabor. While I believe that Tim and the NFL are officially dead to each other, I've nevertheless moved on to my own vehicle of delusional wishful thinking and am no less guilty of torturing circumstance and reason in order to believe in what might be possible. Speaking of which, Joyeux Jour de l'action de grâce, everybody! (That's Happy Thanksgiving in Canada...at least according to Wikipedia).
Happy Thanksgiving to you Kathryn & everyone.
DeleteI am deriving my pleasure (at least my football pleasure) from looking at the Eagles quarterback situation.
As of now they haven't named a starter for their Thanksgiving game. I guess you could say they are running a version of the read option. Read the pregame reports & then look at the options.
Sam Bradford: Questionable.
Mark Sanchez: Oh really, please not again.
Thad Lewis: Your kidding right.
Tim Tebow: Unable to perform because the coaching decisions were "not good enough".
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. :)
Happy Thanksgiving all.
ReplyDeleteChristian Ponder signed with Denver today. The list is getting short.
ReplyDeleteGood ol Woody Paige came out and said Eagles need to bring Tim back.
Really shocked that SB might play tomorrow. Shoulder separation must not have been as bad as reported. I think their confidence in Sanchez must have taken a hit after him throwing 4 interceptions in 3 halves of football.
Will ehjoy rooting for resurgent Lions tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving!
Things are getting ugly.
Deletehttp://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2015/11/eagles_head_coach_chip_kelly_has_lost_the_team_sou.html
A side comment on the Sanchez - Sproles shouting match. I had dinner with a guy who wirked as sideline security for the Broncos. They stand between the team and the stands, so they see the players at very close range. He worked the Broncos-Jets game the year that Tim won it. He said Sanchez was a huge jerk to his teammates and it was clear that nobody respected him.
Things are getting ugly.
Deletehttp://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2015/11/eagles_head_coach_chip_kelly_has_lost_the_team_sou.html
A side comment on the Sanchez - Sproles shouting match. I had dinner with a guy who wirked as sideline security for the Broncos. They stand between the team and the stands, so they see the players at very close range. He worked the Broncos-Jets game the year that Tim won it. He said Sanchez was a huge jerk to his teammates and it was clear that nobody respected him.
So you wanna know why Tim is not on an NFL team? This is a beat guy I thought was somehow level headed:
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/EliotShorrParks/status/656927690298105856
And be mistaken for a second this is not something he made up himself, this is the coaching mantra that follows Tim from the Broncos/Jets. So there you have it.
Happy Thanksgiving!
*And be mistaken for a second this is something he made up himself*
DeleteDetroit is totally outclassing the Eagles so far. We are approaching peak schadenfreude.
ReplyDeleteLOL peak schadenfreude. It comes in degrees of intensity now.
DeleteIt might not be a bad idea to see what Lewis could do. It can't get any worse.
DeleteDistraction or not, I know that no team that Tim is leading would be passively accepting defeat sulking listlessly like this team is.
DeleteThey could use a distraction. It's called TEBOW TIME!!!
Wow, I was looking forward to a loss, but that was total humiliation.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they should take some counsel from the Lions who turned the corner when 90 year old Mrs. Ford had seen enough & made some drastic changes mid-season that ignited a spark on the team.
DeleteFor me that would include giving Tim a call & letting him finish the rest of the season.
New England is up next.
Attrition continues. Romo out for the season. Dunno if this will generate a roster signing or not. They released Weedon last week, so they just have Cassell on roster, plus Kellen Moore on the practice squad. Their season is effectively over, so they might just shrug and go with what they've got. OTOH they have 10 days before their next game, which would be enough time to bring someone in to back up Cassell if they aren't confident in Moore.
ReplyDeleteAttrition continues. Romo out for the season. Dunno if this will generate a roster signing or not. They released Weedon last week, so they just have Cassell on roster, plus Kellen Moore on the practice squad. Their season is effectively over, so they might just shrug and go with what they've got. OTOH they have 10 days before their next game, which would be enough time to bring someone in to back up Cassell if they aren't confident in Moore.
ReplyDeleteI updated the list. The only "at large" candidate (eg not specific to any team) competitive with Tim would be Kafka. Just based on QBR, Kafka would appear to get the nod.
DeletePonder's decision to sign with Denver was interesting. At first glance it would appear to conflict with my hypothesis that the top few guys on the list are going to wait on a direct path back to a starting job. However, I'm sure Ponder was getting nervous as the season ticked down. Also, with Peyton in a cast and Osweiler still unproven, it's entirely possible Ponder finds himself starting for a playoff-bound team.
Curious that Dallas has not signed Kellen Moore yet. He was on their roster for 6 weeks and is currently on their practice squad, so he knows the playbook. That seems like a no brainer. Dallas could easily have signed him 5 minutes after they got the news about Romo yesterday; just use the same contract he had before. Probably they are just taking their time. But it's possible Jerry Jones is not ready to throw in the towel on the season yet, and wants to see what other options there are.
The list has shrunk awfully small. If 2 more starting QB's go down tomorrow or next weekend, I think he has to get serious consideration.
Ed, irreversibly optimistic! SALUTE!
DeleteI don't know if it is optimism or stubbornness. But, as Churchill said in 1941:
Delete"Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense."
Its incredible that the Eagles with as bad as they have been are only one game out of first place & the Cowboys only two games out. How great would it be if Tim were to come to one of these teams and lead them to a division title..
ReplyDeleteThere is a good article by ESP over at NJ.com called: Chip Kelly must go back to being himself if he wants to turn the Eagles around. The article makes some very good & interesting points.
Chip is under alot of pressure right now to get this turned around & supposedly all options are being discussed. I doubt he will consult with Woody Paige but I wish he would. :)
P.S. I love how the Steelers are going for 2 point tries after touchdowns. As far as I know they are the only team doing this regularly. I have always thought it was worth doing. 50% conversion on 2 pt. tries is better than 90 pct. point afters. BTW: This is another way in theory Tim could help a team.
I would not take a million dollars to be Tim right now. How horrible to have such intimate details of your personal life broadcast to the world.
ReplyDeleteIn lighter news, Dallas said on Fri that they would sign Kellen Moore from the practice squad. However, they have yet to do so. They are still only 2 games out of first, and Jones/Garrett both vowed not to give up on the season until they are mathematically eliminated. While I have heard nothing to suggest they would consider Tebow, I will watch the situation closely .... so you don't have to. :)
It sucks for sure, but he's been humiliated in the press before - by his own teammates no less - and appears to be able to shrug it off. It's particularly evident in the public speaking he's been doing in churches all season. I'm guilty of watching a couple of his appearances online. If nothing else the guy is tough and knows who he is.
DeleteAnd on the other note, while I have moved on I admire your vow not to give up on Tim until he too is mathematically eliminated. Keep that candle burning :-D
More attrition: McCown expected to be out for season with collarbone fx.
ReplyDeleteJason Garrett said yesterday he "anticipated" Kellen Moore would be backup. However, very curious they have not signed him yet. Only logical conclusion is they are looking at other options.
More attrition: McCown expected to be out for season with collarbone fx.
ReplyDeleteJason Garrett said yesterday he "anticipated" Kellen Moore would be backup. However, very curious they have not signed him yet. Only logical conclusion is they are looking at other options.
Dallas is holding off on putting Romo on IR. Evidently they will wait until they are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, so they don't preclude him recovering and playing in the post season. Still strange they haven't signed Moore. Guess they know there is no risk of losing him.
DeleteBrowns signed Terelle Pryor as a WR, but I'm sure his ability to serve as an emergency QB was a factor.
I'm not ready to close the door entirely, but this is probably the last weekend where something could happen.
Very respectful article on Tim, but discouragingly evasive on his plans.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.esquire.com/sports/a39826/tim-tebow-interview/
Thanks for sharing that article Ed. Respectful press is better than the tabloid fodder we see so much of. There wasn't much to take from it football wise but at least it didn't say he was done.
DeleteRegardless of what happens the rest of this season I am not ruling out Chip giving him another look next season if he is still with the Eagles. He didn't close the door completely on Tim when he released him. This season has been unlike any other that Chip has experienced in his coaching career which will probably make him more determined than ever to get back on the right track.
Chances are he will have to start from scratch with all new quarterbacks. Will there be an opportunity for Tim? Who knows. Would he want one?? Also who knows. Guess we will just have to wait & see.
I'm sorry. I'm very sorry, I hate to be that person that keeps dumping ice-cold water on things but we absolutely have to be realistic here. What you are suggesting is simply not going to happen. Chip is not going to give him another look next preseason. No coach in the NFL is going to give him another micro-second of consideration until he gets his ass up to Canada and learns how to play the game. Period. I don't want to hear anymore about how unfair it is, or about how what a bunch of scrubs the other guys are that keep getting chances instead of him. I don't want to hear about his record. If I have to read his 2011 stats one more time I'm going to lose it. I don't want to hear all of the "if only's" anymore: If only Rex Ryan had let him start a couple of games. If only Elway had given him a full preseason to work with. If only Chip had left him on the roster they'd be Superbowl-bound! I don't want to hear about what he DESERVES. Enough already. At this point it just sounds like a bunch of whining. The answer is NOT in passively sitting around just waiting for all the right pieces to magically fall in place. It's NOT in hoping that some coach comes crawling back on his knees in remorse. Those are FANTASIES and juvenile ones at that. And it scares me that he might be indulging in them.
DeleteNext season Colin Kaepernick, Johnny Manziel, and probably RGIII are likely hitting the market, in addition to another six or seven college quarterbacks that are presently slated for the first three rounds. Even without those gargantuan headwinds Tim didn't have a chance in hell. Let's for once face facts here.
What he DOES have, what he's had for two seasons now is the GM of the Montreal Alouettes, who also happens to be the head coach, willing to let him come get his reps in the CFL - circus and all. I was going to post an entirely different response to this article, something well-thought out and deliberate (and still hopefully will as I digest what I think I'm reading between the lines), but for now let this unhinged diatribe make it clear: *if* he still wants to play professional football, and squanders a solid offer to get his reps at quarterback in the CFL (or Arena) just so that he can indulge his ego with the hopes that the NFL will give him one more chance, he's going to wind up pissing away what will truly prove to be his very last chance. And I won't feel sorry for him because that's just a pathetic product of pride, ego and naivete. Like I said, enough already. He's taking for granted opportunity and privileges that other guys would kill for. Either take the advice of 1000 NFL coaches and get your reps in a 'minor' league or give it up. End of story.
I had factored into my thinking that he would have done something this spring to bolster his chances of getting a chance to be in a camp. Maybe I should have said that. Although I am not sure what that would be. He could go to Canada or Arena & play like an incarnation of any HOF quarterback & I am not sure how much stock they would put into that.
DeleteTim already knows how to play the game. He just plays it in his own way which is different than the norm. Thats been his biggest obstacle to overcome.
>>Tim already knows how to play the game. He just plays it in his own way which is different than the norm.<<
DeleteThis is a contradiction in terms. If he doesn't know how to play their way then he doesn't know how to play. That is what they are telling him to do. Go learn to play it our way.
With respect, the notion that the CFL is a viable feeder to the NFL is obsolete. Current players that have made the leap are Brandon Browner, Cameron Wake, Jerrell Freeman and........crickets. Regarding QB's, Jeff Garcia made the switch in 1999. Any others since then? Casey Printers and Graham Harrell. That's it.
ReplyDeleteIt's tempting to think that Tebow could follow in the footsteps of Flutie, Moon and Garcia. The reality, however, is that NFL teams don't look at the CFL as a proving ground for QB's.
At this point TT's only shot is with a coach/GM who is bulletproof enough to install him as the starter. The backup route is 100% dead so long as the silly "circus" narrative continues to receive oxygen from the media. The best situation could be the Rams if they fire Fisher and move to L.A. - hire a high-profile coach and sign Tebow to start, which at the least would draw fans to the new team.
With respect, the Rams aren't going to touch him with a ten-foot pole, and hoping otherwise is a pie-in-the-sky daydream. There is no coach/GM either bulletproof enough or remotely interested in installing him as the starter. What is it about "he's not good enough" that so many of his fans seem to fail to understand? How many times do the coaches and evaluators in the NFL have to repeat themselves? He has now been cast aside by four teams, and every time he has been told to go to the CFL. Every time. And this time he has a coach who has explicitly said he'd consider looking at him again AFTER he gets some reps in the CFL.
DeleteAll I ever hear whenever some teams struggle is this insistence that Tim would've won, or that he *will* win if they'd just sign him. Sign him to the Cowboys, sign him to the Eagles, sign him to the 49ers, sign him to the Browns, sign him to the Rams, and on and on and on. Let him start and he'll turn around your crap season and he'll take you to the playoffs! If his fans have that much confidence in his abilities then it's an absolute no-brainer that he'd be just as wildly successful in the CFL.
And if Tim Tebow goes to the CFL and kills it do you really think he wouldn't get attention from the NFL? Really? He's not like Flutie or Moon or any of the players you mentioned. They weren't rock stars going in. He is. ESPN would be up his ass 24/7 just like in Denver. And if he strung a bunch of W's together all the way to the playoffs we'd have a bunch of NFL owners asking their front offices why they let that guy slip through their fingers.
And if not? So what? He's still a star, he's still wildly popular, he's still playing football - at quarterback, and his fans still get to watch him play. Who gives a crap if he's fifty miles above the line?
If we're gonna play my-way-or-the-highway on this then it's the highway. The CFL may or may not get him back to the NFL but it's the only shot he's got.
By the way the Ravens just worked out Ryan Mallett. Goes to show you what they think of Tim.
Delete"By the way the Ravens just worked out Ryan Mallett. Goes to show you what they think of Tim."
DeleteEven more than you might realize. I've been wondering if someone would consider signing Mallett. B/c if they did, that would mean Tim stands ZERO chance w/NFL types. Mallett was let go for 'attitude', but I remember clearly the rumors about his using drugs that were swirling around him before he was drafted. It's the main reason he fell so far in the draft. So if they're willing to even try out a guy w/PITA attitude issues AND a rumored PITA drug problem, but not Tim-even after Tim looked noticeably improved in that last ps game-, that says everything that needs to be said about the kind of minds running the NFL. Tim will never stand any chance w/these wimps.
You can fight for the argument about going to the CFL with snarky replies but the stats don't support it. Moon, Flutie and Garcia are outliers - they had to put up historically great numbers in the CFL over a period of years to get a sniff in the NFL, and that was a long time ago. Nearly every QB who passed through the CFL never received a look in the NFL (same with Arena). Additionally, every struggle he has in the CFL while he adjusts to the league will be broadcast everywhere and used by the media/fans to support a confirmation bias that he's terrible. It's perfectly reasonable for him conclude that the risks vastly outweigh the rewards.
DeleteThe public statements by NFL personnel about "getting reps" and "working on his mechanics" in other leagues are just a red herring. Chip's comments about getting reps were particularly baffling when weighing the "reps" that Stephen Johnson and Thad Lewis have accrued in their illustrious careers. TT was brought in to compete for a QB3 spot and he earned it with his play, but it didn't matter. Other teams have and will weigh the same off-the-field "distraction" concerns against his performance in the CFL. Any front-page coverage he receives of his CFL exploits will only reinforce his image as being bigger than the game in the minds of front office personnel. It's not fair, but it's the reality he's living in. As a result, his path is starter, backup to HOF QB or bust.
>>Additionally, every struggle he has in the CFL while he adjusts to the league will be broadcast everywhere and used by the media/fans to support a confirmation bias that he's terrible.<<
DeleteAs if that hasn't been happening all along? And the conclusion has merit at any rate. I hate to break it to you but his passing game *is* terrible, regardless of how his passer rating in the final PS game shook out. Fixing his throwing motion is one thing, but killing the instinct to run first is another. That's the entire point of going up there: get the reps, learn in a scheme that forces the pass, slow down the game. If the press wants to crap on him during the learning curve, so be it. That's all they've ever done and it's all they'll do until he proves himself to a prototypical standard. And if he can't do it, then we know he's got no claim to the NFL in the first place. If he can do it, on the other hand, he's at the very least got the option of a career in the CFL.
>>TT was brought in to compete for a QB3 spot and he earned it with his play, but it didn't matter.<<
Why will it matter next time? Who is going to give him another next time?
>>Any front-page coverage he receives of his CFL exploits will only reinforce his image as being bigger than the game in the minds of front office personnel.<<
This is hard to address because it's just stating the point that his popularity is an obstacle, which is not in dispute. It's not making the case for why turning down the opportunity to play in the CFL is going to somehow get him back into the NFL, or put another way why taking the opportunity to play in the CFL is going to ruin his chances with the NFL. Of course that won't happen because he has no chances with the NFL. We're at the point where Jimmy Sexton will have to start performing sexual favors in order to get Tim tryouts in the NFL; and frankly I don't think Jimmy's up to it.
The reality is that any argument that the CFL isn't a feeder league for the NFL is irrelevant. The NFL is no longer a factor. He no longer has a path to the NFL that originates in the NFL, but he does have interest from a CFL coach. It might get him back to the NFL, it might not, but it's the only option that's not a speculative cloud of wishful thinking. It's real. If he wants to play, he's got a team. If he doesn't take it, he doesn't want to play all that badly. (And I believe that he badly wants to play.)
Sorry Kathryn can not agree with you on this one. Tim has already done what they asked him to do by fixing his throwing motion. If that wasn't good enough to get him a roster spot then so be it. Granted I also believe he wants to play but I agree with what the commentator said. Give him a serious opportunity to start, backup a HOF QB, or bust.
DeleteSo, you're saying Bob, a coach should just start Tebow after 4 years out of live reps in a regular season game!? If any coach decides to do that, and I'm the GM, I would fire him on the spot.
DeleteHe's a bust QB already so I guess a backup to a HOF QB is his only chance. And that hasn't happened for 4 years now. So what's his endgame? Still waiting? Year 6? Year 7? Year 10 out of league?
So it's either hand him a starting job or backup job to an HOF QB - otherwise he should just take his ball and go home? He's too good for the CFL because four years ago he gutted out a string of wins? That's not leadership and perseverance, that's entitlement. And if that's his and your attitude enjoy watching him suit up for the anchor desk at SEC Nation next season, and the season after that, and the season after that. If we're lucky maybe he'll land the Disneyland Christmas Parade hosting gig again.
DeleteI'd like to watch him play football. And where he's concerned the CFL is the only game in town. Whether he realizes that remains to be seen.
Let's remember we're all friends here.
DeleteEveryone's options suck, because there are no good scenarios. Nothing is likely to work. The task now for us armchair agents is to differentiate the least bad option from the impossible ones. If we figure something out, I'll call Jimmy Sexton.
I think the probability of any coach hiring him as starter or backup is zero point zero percent. I suppose there is a small chance of a coach who likes him personally giving him one last shot at 3rd string. Maybe Josh McDaniels? But that's a wish, not a plan.
Realistically, I think he has to take Chip Kelly's feedback to heart and get some playing time to sharpen his decision making. That means the CFL or AFL. Clearly neither are NFL talent incubators, but neither is the SEC network.
Between the two, I think the AFL is the better choice, for 2 reasons.
First, the NFL CBA contains a provision preventing CFL players from signing with the NFL during the same season, meaning if Tim goes to the CFL in 2016 he could not play in the NFL until 2017, when he will be 30 years old. I don't know if a similar provision applies to the AFL; if not, the advantage would be obvious.
Second, and more importantly, the AFL is better suited to fixing Tim's main remaining deficiency, which is decision and delivery speed.
So, I'm in favor of him signing with an Arena team. Tampa would be awesome. If anyone can do research on CBA restrictions applying to the AFL, that would be awesome too.
There are no similar restrictions for Arena in the CBA. The provision excluding the CFL from same-year transactions is itself called the "CFL Rule" and includes no other leagues.
DeleteI have no objection to Arena, per se, though as a spectator I'd prefer to watch him in the CFL setting. If I knew for sure he'd catch the eye of the NFL sometime during or shortly after that first season then yeah it's a no-brainer. But if he's not picked up after the first season, or the second, and so on, it would be more gratifying to watch him cultivate something of a "pro tempore" career in the CFL.
Not that we spectators are in a position to pick or choose. At this point I'd watch him in the Lingeree League.
Good info, thanks!
DeleteTim Tebow on the field with 2 teams of women in lingerie would break the Internet and all modern forms of communication simultaneously, and might cause the apocalypse.
I'm ready. Bring it on.
DeleteSee new thread. Trust me.
DeleteNot that anything will come of it, but it's worth noting that the Dalton injury is about as close to optimal circumstances as we could hope for at this stage in the season. Bengals are almost certainly playoff bound, their starter is out for the year, their backup has never started an NFL game, and their #3 is an undrafted rookie. If they brought in Tim now, he would have almost a month to learn the offense before the playoffs start, and would be a viable option if McCarron were injured or proved inadequate.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, we can probably expect a repeat of the Cardinals and Ryan Lindley from last year. They'll sign the practice squad scrub, and watch their season slip away slowly with AJ McCarron under center, or quickly if he gets hurt and the UDFA rookie plays.
So apparently this is the time of year when we stop feeling sick to our stomach, and actually vomit.
DeleteThe Ravens are reportedly signing Ryan Mallett. And somehow I missed that the Broncos released Christian Ponder last week, because now the Bengals are reaching out to him.
F... them all.
Our only hope is Urban. Lets hope those rumors were true.
DeleteOur only hope is Urban. Lets hope those rumors were true.
DeleteUrban just hired Greg Schiano to be his associate HC / defensive coordinator at OSU. I wouldn't yet shut the door on the Browns rumor because you never know, but the Schiano hire makes it far less likely that Urban would leave OSU now. A silver lining scenario, however, would have Meyer grooming Schiano this upcoming season to replace him as HC in 2017. If TT plays elsewhere (AL/CFL) for a season in 2016 that would nicely set the table for Urban to sign him to the Browns (or whoever...he would no doubt have offers to HC a number of teams) in 2017. This is of course my own wishful thinking. As much as I think TT badly wants to play, I'm also discouraged by his lack of training and comments made to the press that contradict that impression. Time will tell, I guess.
DeleteOK, so I'm going to keep this list updated, not because I expect anything to come of it, but just because it pisses me off. Changes this week:
ReplyDelete1. Ryan Mallett signed by Baltimore, surprisingly to a 1 year contract thru 2016. Supposedly has gotten help for his "personal issues."
2. Denver signed Christian Ponder in late Nov, then released him last week. Rumored to be talking to Bengals.
3. Ryan Lindley worked out with Denver today. Ryan F'ing Lindley. But that's how thin the list is getting.
Oh yeah, and I downgraded Mike Kafka. Couldn't figure out why nobody was taking a sniff when he posted a 109 QBR in the preseason. Then I looked and released that was only 13 passes. He got little playing time the last 2 games of the summer, and was put on season-ending IR for a hamstring injury before he was cut. It's possible he loses his injury settlement if he plays this season, so he might not even be on the list.
DeleteLook at the list. It's freaking ridiculous. Tim is the ONLY credible QB left on the planet.
DeleteBengals promoted QB Keith Wenning from their practice squad to backup McCarron. Wow!
DeleteBengals promoted QB Keith Wenning from their practice squad to backup McCarron. Wow!
DeleteAdded him to the list. Look at that stellar QBR. Ryan Lindley junior.
DeleteIn all fairness, they really didn't have a choice. It wouldn't matter if they signed Tom Brady today, there is no way he could be ready to play by Sunday. Just can't learn a playbook in 3 days. Wenning has been on the Bengals since June. They could still sign someone else. But they won't, of course.
I realize you don't see it this way, and I respect that -- it must be a guy thing -- but I don't see the appeal in eventually pleasing or satisfying or proving himself to these assholes enough to one day get a roster spot. It's partly why my CFL fantasizing has developed a life of its own. At this point it seems so much more satisfying to go cultivate a career up there, take his hoards of fans with him, start playing to his strengths and setting rushing and *passing* records, force ESPN by virtue of his ungovernable popularity to cover every game, tally win after win after win until his team's shelves runneth over with Grey Cups, ink bazillion dollar endorsement deals along the way; and then when some NFL club comes calling because by then he's proven them and every group-thinking, establishment-butt-kissing analyst full of shit to respond with double middle fingers and a pleasant "No thanks, you've already had four chances." But that's just me, and I readily concede it's a fantasy...a juvenile one. But I don't care.
DeleteThis is a bit of a stretch which admittedly is very unlikely to happen. Nevertheless because of existing circumstances might be worth exploring on both sides.
DeleteNew England has suffered so many injuries this year it could severly hinder their Super Bowl aspirations. Lagarette Blount is now out for the season. Because of all the injuries getting to the Super Bowl the conventional way may prove to be to be difficult to do. They need playmakers & options on offense. We saw how much the offense struggled in that Eagles game without their playmakers. Because of this maybe the Patriots should consider doing something unconventional & bring Tim in not specifically as a quarterback but to give the offense some added options in which he might be able to run the ball or line him up in certain packages which defenders would have to account for him freeing up other players.
It's not the quarterback position he so desires but he could be out there in live game action & if this experiment proved to be successful (unlike what happened with the Jets) it would be awfully hard not to get some sense of satisfaction in helping a team hopefully win a super bowl while the rest of the league watches him do it.
This would be better than languishing on the bench as a 3rd stringer in Philly or anywhere else.
OK I realize this has little to no chance of happening & but what the heck nothing else since that one magical season in Denver has made any sense so why not give it a thought.
No. Just no.
DeleteJust to CHEER UP YOUR DAY here are the following developments:
DeletePhillip Sims - Trying out for Bengals. Likely to be signed to PS
Mike Kafka - Signed to Titans PS
You are going to hate me for saying this, and it turns my stomach to say it, but I actually understand their thought process. In the short term, McCarron and even Wenning have a better chance than any veteran they could bring in, because they already know the playbook. There is just no way that any quarterback could learn a playbook well enough in two weeks to be effective. If they had lost Dalton for the playoffs, bringing in a veteran would make sense, because he would have three or four weeks to learn the system. However, they are clearly pending their hopes on Dalton being able to return in time for the playoffs. Bringing in a veteran would require using a fourth roster spot on a quarterback. Like I said, I don't like it or agree with it, but from a certain risk-averse mindset I understand how they got there.
DeleteBut what really turns your stomach is knowing they wouldn't call Tim even if the starter was out for the season and they had six weeks left in the regular season. Because that's how they roll.
DeleteYou're right, of course. The list bears that out. Tim is the ONLY candidate in the yellow shaded zone who has gotten zero interest.
DeleteUndoubtedly the Bengals have little confidence in Wenning, but they are stuck with him as their only viable backup for a few games. Signing Phillip Sims to the practice squad gives him 4 weeks to learn the offense, so they have another option for backup QB if Dalton does not recover by the playoffs and McCarron has to start.
Tim not being practice-squad eligible has been a huge disadvantage for him. It means that someone has to believe in him enough to spend a roster spot for him to come in and learn an offense, while ps-eligible players like Sims and Kafka are basically freebies.
Kellen freeking Moore!?
ReplyDelete:(
There's an old saying about the most popular player on the team being the backup QB. Nothing dispels wishful thinking like 3 interceptions in 3 quarters. Now that the Cowboys are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, they should put Romo on IR. In theory they could use that extra spot to kick the tires on another QB. In reality, we know what won't happen.
DeleteSkins are beating the Bills pretty well. Hopefully AZ spanks Philly tonight and the Skins go up 1 in the division. I do NOT want to see the Eagles make the playoffs, no matter how crappy they are in doing so.
At this point about the only scenario that might change things would be a car accident taking out both the #1 and #2 QB's on a playoff-bound team, or some other freak event. But I'll be watching the news "just in case."
Hat tip to Kathryn for noting the first attrition of this week: TJ Yates of Houston out with probable ACL tear. Houston is in good position to win their division, and the only healthy QB they have is Brandon Weedon. That worked out great for Dallas. They'll probably try to rush Brian Hoyer back from his 2nd concussion this month, or sign Christian Ponder. Tim is a really lousy system fit for the Houston offense anyways, but let's see where else the body count takes us this week.
DeleteOverall it was a pretty good day for Schadenfreude.
ReplyDeleteThe Eagles clearly showed once again they are not a very good team, the last 2 weeks were aberrations. Bradford is an average one dimensional quarterback who makes good throws once in a while. It would have been great to see what Tim could have done running the read option on this team. I too hope they don't make the playoffs.
The Broncos lost a game today that if Tim had been at quarterback they would have won. We all know he prides himself on finishing strong.
We got a Schadenfreude squared in Washington with the Skins winning & the Bills losing. The Bills seem to be coming apart ahead of schedule. Lets hope the skins have one more good game left in them next week.
Thank You, Falcons for beating the Jags at home dashing their playoff hopes. I was getting tired of hearing how improved they were.
I didn't think Kellen Moore played that poorly for the Cowboys considering he has not had much practice time. The team showed much more spark with him than they had with their previous quarterbacks. He showed a willingness to try to make plays, something the Cowboys have desperately needed all year. He was poised & accurate with his throws. It would not surprise me if he cleaned up those ugly interceptions with more playing time. As a lefty he would make a great backup to Tim although he is not nearly as athletic or physical as Tim.
Rumor has it that Tim has been working out recently at PEP & Tom House's partner was there also. A good sign. Hopefully he knows something we don't. (Urban are you there?) ;)
Bob agreed with all your schadenfreude points. None of them were intense but taken together very satisfying (it's like we're critiquing microbrew samples or something...)
DeleteCan you give more info about Tom House's partner rumor? Where did you learn this, I'd like to look into because that adds an interesting layer. Thanks and have a great Christmas week everybody, even if you don't observe!
Hi Kathryn, I first saw this on twitter on DEC.by PcolaG8R. This person had a series of tweets starting on Dec. 18th talking about this. The person is a big Tebow supporter so I would think it's probably true. I have not heard anything else since.
DeleteYou piqued my curiosity by saying it adds an interesting layer. Let us know as soon as you hear anything new.
Merry Christmas to you as well. Bob
I had seen the original PEP rumor and dismissed it because it's just conjecture without evidence. The issue with that tweet is the person does not explain where they got this information. Instead they learned that Tim flew to AZ and concluded on that basis alone that Tim has been training at PEP. The problem with that is that Tim's brother Robby lives in AZ and Tim often visits him, so without someone at PEP actually tweeting that they met or saw Tim at PEP then one cannot conclude that he's in AZ for that purpose. The only logical conclusion is that he's there to visit family. The family spent last Christmas in AZ too, and it had nothing to do with training at PEP.
DeleteThe thing that had intrigued me when you reported the rumor in here was the added detail that one of Tom House's partners was evidently seen at PEP. Where did you read that? Because that might suggest something if it bears out to be true.
The person said that in subsequent tweets. :)
DeleteOk, so basically there's nothing to this rumor. We live in the social media age. Tim can't go anywhere - especially on a regular basis - without someone on the scene tweeting or posting on Facebook or Instagram about it, and yet this guy can't refer us to a tweet or post from someone that actually saw Tim or House's partner at PEP? (Which partner BTW? Adam Dedeaux?) The person tweeting this isn't an insider, he's just some superfan whose potential for wishful thinking renders the rumor even more suspect. Don't get me wrong - I'd love for this to be true, but would rather not get my hopes up until there's actually some substantial indication that Tim is/has been training at PEP.
DeleteDallas is going with Kellen Moore as starter. That's a "F it, why not?" decision.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is talking about how great Brandon Weedon was on Saturday, as if one half of decent play and one touchdown erases all of history up to that point.
Just when I thought it couldn't get any more insulting to Tim and his fans:
DeleteHouston just signed BJ Daniels from the Seahawks to replace TJ Yates as the backup QB. You'll note that BJ Daniels is not on my list. That is because he converted from QB to wide receiver in June!
I hate these guys. All of them.
At least he's/were not alone. It's also a fat slap in the face to Christian Ponder and Josh Freeman (who really showed humility, maturity and a willingness to do whatever's needed by playing in the FXFL this season - and who I was rooting for because of that effort). Christian may have possibly turned down a (hypothetical) overture, but surely Freeman would have accepted another foot in the door if it had been offered. Both would have brought far more experience to the table than this Daniels guy. It's hard to fathom sometimes what these clubs are thinking. Maybe Daniels has some sort of agent connection or something. Who the *beep* knows anymore?
DeleteAt any rate, it's impossible to adequately express how badly I wish Tim would go to the CFL and accrue enough success to shove it in the NFL's face. For the life of me I cannot fathom how he is okay with stepping away from his playing career letting these a-holes have the last word.
So it looks like BJ is actually getting snaps today. Splitting time with Weeden, running him in wildcat and read option plays. With the playoffs on the line. Mind boggling. Why don't they just walk up to Tim and spit in his face while they're at it?
DeleteMore attrition. Drew Brees reportedly has torn plantar fascia. With Saints mathematically eliminated from playoffs, they have no reason to play him. Won't create a roster opening, though, as Saints have Matt Flynn and Garrett Grayson, their 3rd round draft pick this year.
ReplyDeleteI updated the roster with several strange transactions, mostly non contenders grabbing practice squad players as a spare body for the last game or two.
ReplyDeleteGO REDSKINS!!!
ReplyDeletePeak Shadenfreude achieved.
ReplyDeleteAlmost. If they lose to the Giants next week they'll be forced to play the Rams in London next season.
DeleteSchadenfreude!
DeleteLord the Titans are a truly heinous team.
ReplyDeleteETA their heinousness is giving the Texans an easy win, which then locks the Jaguars out of the playoffs. Hey hey.
DeleteSorry I didn't reply. Was out hiking with the kids to meet a boy scout requirement.
DeleteThe BJ Daniels thing was incredibly insuling to Tim on multiple levels. It's such a shame. With their stout defense, the Texans are a perfect team for a run-first, ball control strategy in the playoffs.
Of course now they have won one game with Brandon Weedon (how many starts has it been since he won? 13? 14?), so they think they have the solution. We can all see this coming a mile off, like a slow motion train wreck. Texans make the playoffs, Hoyer goes out with concussion #3, and Weedon self destructs against whatever real football team he faces in the first round.
The Browns are now 3-12, tied with the Titans for the worst record in the NFL. With their last game against the Steelers next week they are odds on favorites to get the #1 draft pick. Black Monday is a week from tomorrow. Pettine has to be gone. Have heard nothing more about our game changer. If there is anything at all to it, we'll know within a few weeks.
Should also know pretty quickly whether there is interest in JMD for another shot.
so, this is new: Playoff hopes hanging by a thread, #Colts QB situation is dire if Luck is out: Hasselbeck has a sprained AC joint, Whitehurst pulled a hammy by Ian Rapoport.
ReplyDeleteIf there isn't a better chance right now... but we all know it isn't... :)))
They're working out Josh Freeman, which I actually am glad to hear. He deserves a shot. And I'm at peace with it because we know they wouldn't call Tim even if he were the last quarterback on earth, so it's not like he's taking a chance away from Tim. At least it's not some practice squad never-was that's never seen a snap in the NFL.
DeleteYeah, great for Josh. He deserves it.
DeleteI think Tim would have a more plausible chance if Luck were out for the season, but there's a chance he'll be back - in time for possible postseason appearance if not in time for finale next week. I'll concede my skilled capacity for being wrong, but it seems to me that the circus factor is unfortunately a deal-killer if there's any chance the starter could return.
DeleteI think Tim would have a more plausible chance if Luck were out for the season, but there's a chance he'll be back - in time for possible postseason appearance if not in time for finale next week. I'll concede my skilled capacity for being wrong, but it seems to me that the circus factor is unfortunately a deal-killer if there's any chance the starter could return.
DeleteOn the one hand, yeah, I'm glad to see someone getting rewarded for persistence. Josh has certainly put in the extra effort.
DeleteOn the other hand, it is just more confirmation of the basic truth that Kathryn observed: the NFL would not call Tim if he was the last QB on the planet. As much as one might try to wring some validation out of that fact, in me it causes only bitterness and resentment.
Here is a quick comparison of their preseason performance:
Tim: 21/36, 58.3% CPC, 2 TD 1 INT, 90.7 QBR
Josh: 23/48, 47.9% CPC, 1 TD, 4 INT, 43.1 QBR
I'm sorry but there is just no way to objectively argue that was a football decision.
Edit: good point about Luck. If I wasn't pissed off, I would acknowledge that does probably change the calculus for the Colts. Also, the Colts are forever associated with the Polians, which means that Tim playing for Indy would probably be a sign of the apocalypse.
I am not sure Tim would be so willing to accept a short term rental offer like this one anyway. In his case there are far more risks involved than rewards.
DeleteFor Freeman its a great opportunity to get his foot back in the door.
Hopefully Tim will continue to train & get an opportunity to start fresh with a staff that he trusts next season. Does this severely limit his opportunities? Sure it does. But if this opportunity ever does come to fruition. It will have been worth it.
Good point, Bob, and it makes me wonder more about Tim's frame of mind in general. With the exception of a brief visit to USC earlier this season he hasn't been seen training since he was cut. It's unlike him not to prepare to the point of excess, so one could almost conclude that his hiatus in training corresponds with a decision to suspend any efforts to return to football as a player. A more optimistic take would suggest maybe he decided to take a break after all those years of training and effort, and will try again in some capacity next season. A pessimistic take, however, would suggest he's decided to settle for Plan B - whatever that is.
DeleteIt bears noting that he's recently had his website redesigned, and aside from the achievements enumerated in his personal biography his identity as a football player has been all but stripped away. Instead he's portrayed more as a public speaker and philanthropist who once did great things on the gridiron, the same vibe that his recent Esquire article conveyed.
I suppose he'd be keen to join another team in camp next season, but his evident lack of preparedness would suggest that he has accepted that he's not going to get a call. I do say this with a caveat, mind you. His second season with SEC Nation wraps in two weeks. If he resumes a rigorous training schedule soon thereafter we'll at least have some indication of his intentions.
Breaking News! Eagles just fired Chip Kelly & player personnel director Ed Marynowitz. Not surprised at the firing just the timing. To not wait until the end of the year is very surprising. He sealed his fate when he cut Tim.
DeleteMortenson reporting that he's interested in Johnny Manziel and the Browns job. If offered and he accepts that door is officially closed for Tim. Evidently several teams have already reached out to him, however.
DeleteThe situation is still very fluid. I would hope that if he were to land the Browns job or any other job he would be able to learn from his experience in Philly. After all he did tell Tim he may consider looking at him again.
DeleteHe told Tim to go play in the CFL. I don't see an ego that enormous dialing back his arrogant instructions. I appreciate your tenacious optimism however. You are always looking for the silver lining.
DeleteWhen I said we had reached peak schadenfreude, I was wrong. THIS is peak schadenfreude. Every bit as humiliating to Chip as it was to Tim. I hope he enjoys it.
DeleteWhen I said we had reached peak schadenfreude, I was wrong. THIS is peak schadenfreude. Every bit as humiliating to Chip as it was to Tim. I hope he enjoys it.
DeleteKathryn's right, large egos can rationalize anything. If he hasn't learned anything from this though I doubt he will find success elsewhere.
DeleteThanks Kathryn for appreciating my optimism.
I would feel more schadenfreudy if three NFL teams weren't already reaching out to Chip. I swear everybody - literally everybody in the NFL - gets the opportunity to prove themselves again as a starter or coach in a new team.
DeleteUnless your name is Tim Tebow.
And you're right Bob. He won't learn from this. Nor will the team - old or new. Same #%€! different day.
Bob, this is for you...
ReplyDeleteFWIW a fan chatted him up at the airport yesterday and reports that he mentioned he's 'looking at a few NFL teams' and when asked said maybe about Canada. I do recall in 2013 he made a passing remark to a reporter that his agent had gotten calls from a 'few NFL teams' and then two seasons went by with absolutely nothing panning out, so my reaction to this development is bifurcated: cautiously optimistic that he's not yet ready to hang up the cleats, yet maintaining healthy skepticism until more or new information comes to light.
Thanks for sharing this most interesting piece of information Kathryn!
ReplyDeleteI am encouraged to hear this. Its not very detailed but at least it indicates that he wants to try again in some capacity.
I would have been really discouraged if he had been more cryptic in his response or if he said he was devoting more of his time to his other activities.
Like you said recently lets look to see if he picks up his training regimen after his SEC obligations expire.
Thanks again Bob
Josh Freeman starts this week for the Colts. He was in XFL whatever league last week. Let that sink in.
ReplyDeleteWhen you look at the list above, and consider all the QBs who were objectively worse than Tim in the preseason yet got multiple chances during the season, there is only one conclusion possible: no team was ever going to call Tim. Ever. Not even if he was the last free agent QB on the face of the earth.
DeleteI have always maintained that the NFL was not blackballing Tim, that there had to be some football-related reason for his lack of success. I no longer believe that. I don't know what it is, but the list of FA QB signings this year are empirical proof that teams are avoiding Tim for some non-football reason.
Quick question: Can teams sign free agents during the playoffs, or is their roster locked?
ReplyDeleteAnswered my own question: Yes. If a player was not on a roster during week 17, they can be signed as a free agent during the playoffs.
DeleteI am puzzled why Christian Ponder did not get a look with Indy. Like Tebow, he seems to have gone straight from starter to "not good enough". Strange, considering his career stats are more than respectable for an NFL backup QB, and his preseason stats were not bad. He's certainly a better option than Lindley or Morris, and his preseason was much better than Freeman.
That makes me wonder if he declined consideration by Indy because it would lock him out of availability to playoff teams. And if he did it, could Tim have done the same?
Theoretically, he could have. Realistically, no.
DeleteThe answer would appear to be yes.
ReplyDeletehttp://quirkyresearch.blogspot.com/2012/08/played-in-nfl-playoff-game-no-career.html?m=1
Thanks. I posted at the same time.
DeleteOne interesting part of that answer: to be eligible for signing during the playoffs, the FA must not have been on a roster for week 17. Which means that Ponder and Tebow are still eligible to be signed, while Freeman, Lindley, and Morris are not.
Grasping at the thinnest of thin straws, I'll admit, but what else do we got? (insert emoticon for sheepish grin)
Yes I understand the grasp. If TT were seen throwing more than once, eight weeks ago...maybe. But he hasn't been. Given the apparent lack of prep my guess is no he isn't holding out, and he didn't turn them down because he didn't get a call. But hell I don't know anything anymore. All we ever do as his fans is chase a mirage.
Delete