Tim Tebow Making Play For Roster Spot With Philadelphia Eagles
Tim Tebow had a good start to his first pre-season game with the Philadelphia Eagles, but then old question marks came popping up and it still remains unclear whether or not Tebow will make the team when the season begins.
Tebow entered the game in the middle of the third quarter and completed his first four pass attempts for 43 yards. Tim’s first series ended with an 34-yard field foal attempt that was missed by Eagles kicker Cody Parkey.
The second and third series with Tebow on the field looked sloppy with Tebow having to corral several bad snaps. Tebow got sacked to end both of those drives as he failed to get rid of the football as the pressure closed in.
Tebow’s final series ended with a seven-yard touchdown run that featured Tebow diving towards the pylon to ensure the score. Overall, Tebow threw for 69 yards on 12 attempts and ran for 15 yards on four rushes.
Tim’s main competition for the third string quarterback job is Matt Barkley, and Matt had a decent day on Sunday. Barkley threw for 192 yards and 12 for 20 on pass attempts. Barkley also had one interception.
It had been nearly two years since Tebow played in an NFL game of any kind. The former Heisman Trophy winner was in camp with the New England Patriots in 2013, but didn’t make the opening day roster. Tebow looked to be a bit rusty at times on Sunday, but also showed enough to stay in the running for a roster spot. One good sign for Tebow is that he seems to have his head coach believing in him. USA Today is reporting that Chip Kelly sees Tebow as a true quarterback, not a gimmick.
“Tim is not a gadget guy. I think Tim is a quarterback, and I think he’s proven that so far when he’s been out here.”
The Eagles wound up with a 36-10 win against the Indianapolis Colts, but Colts star quarterback Andrew Luck only played one series, while the Eagles likely starter Sam Bradford didn’t even get into the game.
If nothing else, Tim Tebow excited the crowd with his appearance. He received a huge ovation when he entered the game and then received another one when he scored his touchdown. Tebow might not make the Eagles squad, but he still has a huge legion of fans that are loyal to him and would follow whatever team he was on. Why a team such as the Jacksonville Jaguars, who can’t ever fill their stadium, wouldn’t bring in Tebow to sell some tickets and make some coin doesn’t seem to make sense.
[Image by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images]
