The Tim Tebow comeback story could be coming to a screeching halt following the Eagles-Ravens preseason game late Saturday night.
Not that Tebow wasn’t able to move the ball in his limited time on the field, but as CBS Sports reported, Tim’s field vision could be the stumbling block that forces Chip Kelly to choose Matt Barkley as his number three option at quarterback.
Tim Tebow misses open WR before making a break for the endzone. #BALvsPHI http://t.co/dwqzHSCSJW
— NFL (@NFL) August 23, 2015
Tebow’s difficulties connecting with a wide-open receiver in the end zone in the fourth quarter simply served to illustrate what pundits across the NFL are already aware of: Tim Tebow as a traditional quarterback just isn’t likely to ever happen.
“Not even trying to be a jerk here — if you want to be an NFL quarterback you have to be able to realize that gently putting the ball up in the air, over a few defenders and into the waiting arms of your wide-open receiver is better than trying to run through four human beings hell bent on stopping you from doing just that.”
Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network also came to that same conclusion Saturday night.
Field vision continues to be a real problem for Tebow.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) August 23, 2015
Not everyone is down on Tim Tebow as a viable option, however. Just three days prior, the report out of Eagles training camp was that Chip Kelly may actually be favoring Tebow over Barkley, as reported by the Inquisitr . In fact, ESPN has reported that Kelly’s “excitement” for Tebow is growing, though not because of his throwing ability but rather his value under new the scoring rules.
“Kelly is impressed by Tebow’s running skill, and although he’s not perfect, he’s improved throwing the football, making him valuable with the new two-point rule and in short-yardage situations.”
And that’s what makes Saturday’s goal-line situation all the more baffling. If this were indeed a 2-point scenario, Tebow may have cost his team an easy opportunity by leaning on his instincts to run rather than throw. It could ultimately be the deciding factor used by Chip Kelly when he makes a decision.
In the end, however, it will be Kelly’s decision to make and Chip will have final say whether Tim Tebow’s comeback will barrel its way across the goal line or ultimately fall short in the end.
[Tim Tebow photo credit: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images]
