Tebow to Vikings?

[Mothman]

I know, I know. Tebow stinks. He is terrible. Worthless.

But there are a few reasons this makes sense. First, Tebow meets the criterion for a Spielman free agent signing. He is young, high character, low cost (at this point), and has upside (though how much can be debated).

Second, Tebow is a Frazier kind of guy for the same reasons. And the Vikings locker room seems capable of absorbing a guy like Tebow and making him just one of the guys.

Third, The Vikings need a backup, and a backup plan. Joe Webb made it plain to see that he is not suitable to fill either role. He is not good enough right now to be effective as a backup, and he is so raw that he has essentially no future at the QB position. So look at the alternatives? We won't spend a high draft pick while we still have hope in Ponder developing so that leaves free agency as the only way to bring in a backup/some competition. Alex Smith is probably the best bet, but he clearly comes in as competition, and probably the favorite to win the job.

I'd say there's a good chance he wouldn't sign with the Vikings unless he was assured that he would get the starting job. I doubt Smith will be looking to be a backup so unless he finds there are no starting opportunities available to him, he'll probably end up somewhere else.

A guy like Tebow clearly comes in as the backup, but does provide a little competition. He's not coming in as the starter and if Ponder fails, you still need a legitimate franchise QB in the next draft. Basically Tebow doesn't get in the way of your development plans at the position, but provides a better backup than you are likely to find elsewhere in FA. You have at least a year for Ponder to start barring injury and then to know what we have in him for sure.

Bringing Tebow to town would be like bringing the circus to town. It would quickly turn into a media-driven distraction and possibly a QB controversy. It would be a little like adding Favre without the passing skills. Tebow's upside as a passer isn't good enough to justify the baggage. They'd be better off adding a rookie with better passing skills.

Jim

[Cliff]

I don't understand the logic behind trading out Joe Webb for Tebow. They seem almost interchangable as far as skillset goes.

[losperros]

I'm pretty sure they were close. Then again Harvin wasn't his only weapon. Jeff Demps was no slouch either. Who knows to be honest. For what its worth expect a bunch of flak for this. I agree with you though

At one time the Gators were packed with high speed talent, what with Tebow, Harvin, Demps, and Chris Rainey all on the team. Of course, it didn't hurt that Urban Meyer was the coach.

I don't understand the logic behind trading out Joe Webb for Tebow. They seem almost interchangable as far as skillset goes.

I disagree. Tebow has far greater upside than Webb as a QB, particularly at throwing the ball. If there is one similarity between Webb and Tebow then maybe it's that they are college style QBs that may never adapt to the NFL, though I don't think Tebow has really had the chance. He played for a while in Denver and helped them go to the playoffs, which is something I don't think Webb can do.

[Cliff]

I disagree. Tebow has far greater upside than Webb as a QB, particularly at throwing the ball. If there is one similarity between Webb and Tebow then maybe it's that they are college style QBs that may never adapt to the NFL, though I don't think Tebow has really had the chance. He played for a while in Denver and helped them go to the playoffs, which is something I don't think Webb can do.

I suppose I meant by NFL standards they both seem to be quite a bit below average passers and limit whatever team they are playing for because their skills only lend well to a read-option approach.

We can argue about which one sucks worse at passing or could potentially be better ... Webb has a higher completion percentage in 100 less attempts, Tebow's TD/INT is much better ... etc, etc, etc. They both throw a horrible and innacurate ball and limit the offense in the same way.

Tebow definitely has more experience at the position. He also comes with a circus attached.

[smoothoperator]

I was waiting to see JUST JOKING at the end of your post. You would honestly have to be insane to want Tebow here. Look at it this way, if we had Tebow , a man who has proven he cannot throw a football, this season and he starts at Lambeau do you think we would have had any chance? Absolutely not. This type of move makes zero sense. We need to get a serviceable backup, or even better, a backup who can potentially compete for the starting job. End of story.

[shannontw]

At one time the Gators were packed with high speed talent, what with Tebow, Harvin, Demps, and Chris Rainey all on the team. Of course, it didn't hurt that Urban Meyer was the coach.

I disagree. Tebow has far greater upside than Webb as a QB, particularly at throwing the ball. If there is one similarity between Webb and Tebow then maybe it's that they are college style QBs that may never adapt to the NFL, though I don't think Tebow has really had the chance. He played for a while in Denver and helped them go to the playoffs, which is something I don't think Webb can do.

Lets not forget that Aaron Hernadez and Riley Cooper was on that team as well. Gator team was pretty stacked if you ask me

[losperros]

Lets not forget that Aaron Hernadez and Riley Cooper was on that team as well. Gator team was pretty stacked if you ask me

Absolutely. Those were my favorite days as a Gator fan!

[VikeMike]

Besides thinking that Tebow is a horrible NFL quarterback, I don't see the value of making a move that doesn't at least improve the current situation and also adding needless distractions (media circus) to the mix. He isn't a dependable backup, and he sure isn't a starting QB.

Unless, you're hoping to replace Toby Gerhart, why bother?

[Just Me]

Besides thinking that Tebow is a horrible NFL quarterback, I don't see the value of making a move that doesn't at least improve the current situation and also adds a needless distraction (media circus) to the mix.

I'm not advocating for him to come to Minnesota, but the fact is: he would improve the backup situation in MN if he were to replace Webb. Look at their respective passer rating stats if you don't believe me. I get the fact that a media circus for a marginal improvement may not be worth the effort, but the facts are he is a better QB than Webb (in terms of passing, anyway).

For the record: I neither share the Tebow hate (nor love) that others do. His passer rating (Career) is a pedestrian 75.3 (Webb is 66 and change), but Ponder's rating for 2012 (gives Ponder some elevated stats) is: 81.2. Tebow's 2012 stats are 84.9 but that is with only 8 pass attempts (6 completions no TDs not INTs), so its a pretty small sample size.

I would submit Ponder is better than Tebow, but Tebow is better than Webb. So I agree it is a needless media distraction for a pretty marginal gain, but to say it is NO gain is not entirely accurate. The best analogy (as previously posted by another) is that it would be Favre part 2, only without the quarterback skills to go with it. I'm inclined to pass...

[soflavike]

Yes, another QB with lousy accuracy... that's what we need!

[Dark]

Love the guy as a person, but hate him as a player.

[chicagopurple]

If the Vikes took Tebow and had to give up a box of crackers in the deal, it would be a bad deal.
Tebow CAN"T THROW THE FRIGGIN BALL
Tebow is SLOWER then Webb
Tebow is a humongous DISTRACTION
Tebow is the last hope of desperate teams...............we are NOT the Jets.

[PurpleKoolaid]

I was going to say 'hell no' and then saw 80purplepride's post and that siad it better. And I like Tebow. But I dont want him close to this team.

[CapDB7]

I wouldn't want to due to my belief that you need a good passing QB to win the SB.

That aside, Tebow couldn't ask for a better team to fit into. If I were him and we came knocking, I'd be on the plane. A playoff quality team that rely on not turning the ball over and just go looking for 10 yards every three plays rather than the huge 60yrd TD pass. With Peterson behind and an offense that concentrates on short distance passes, his skillset (however limited) would be an ideal fit for our system. If he came without any baggage, we could do a lot worse in regards to a back-up QB. The problem is that he cannot be a back-up with the following he gets from the media so is a no no from me.

[JellyBean2144]

Heck no!!! We don't need this diva on the team.