Tebow steals spotlight at combine

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By Bryan Ault, March 4, 2010

When his press conference at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine was humorously announced over the East Gate media lounge PA with the words “some guy named Tebow, podium C,” hundreds of reporters flocked to hear the 6-foot-3-inch, 240-pound Heisman trophy-winning quarterback talk about his prospects for the pros. 

 

“I know that wherever I go, whoever drafts me, they will have a kid who is going to give everything to that franchise, and someone that's going to leave everything on the field, every day,” Tebow said.

 

While his grit and relentless determination cannot be questioned, front-office personnel criticize his awkward delivery and passing mechanics.

 

"I'm making some adjustments and just trying to improve my fundamentals as best I can," Tebow said. "That's something that will improve my game and will help me as a quarterback and it's something I'm working on a lot."

 

 “I will say this about young Tebow: Based on his history, I think that would be a little premature to start doubting his ability to play,” Green Bay Packers General Manager Ted Thompson said. “He’s been playing at a pretty high level for some time, and has to go down as one of the greatest college football players of all time.  Let’s [not] sell him short just yet.”

 

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy agrees.

 

“With the way he approaches the game of football, I think he’ll do anything to improve,” McCarthy said. “You look for football players, and his record speaks for itself.”

 

Tebow was just one of several storylines at the annual NFL Combine last week. More than 600 NFL general managers, coaches and scouts, along with 400 credentialed media and 330 upcoming NFL draftees all convened in downtown Indianapolis. The days—spanning from February 24-March 2—were long. Players awoke early for 7 a.m. weigh-ins. Scouts finished their last interview at 11 p.m. and awoke the next morning to do it all over again.

 

“It’s your first opportunity to get to know these kids from an intimate basis,” Miami Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland said. “You focus in on some of the interviews, ask them tough questions and get into the intelligence of the player—what he knows about football.  You get to see them and know them.”

 

All eyes are on the 2010 NFL Draft, which starts on Thursday, April 22. Bolstered with juniors who left school early to play in the NFL, it promises to be a draft high on hype, as well as talent.

 

“I think everyone feels pretty good about it,” said Rams General Manager Billy Devaney — who owns the first overall selection. “It’s a deep junior class.  They are the ones who made it so deep.  You’re going to get good players—second, third and fourth round.  There’s a lot of quality there.”