Regrettably I didn’t have this pulpit during the height of Tebowmania in Denver, or else I might have written about it every other week. Developments this past week, however, create an ideal situation for editorializing.
Don’t worry Tebow fanatics, I won’t fill the post with vitriol about your boy’s many football failings. In fact, I applaud Tebow for becoming the most versatile running back in league history. He possesses unique field vision when he hits the second level of a defense, the best for a white running back since the days of Mike Alstott.
All joking aside, I think Tim Tebow remains a truly unique sports personality. Many disagree with how he expresses his faith, but I continue to tell close friends a player with strong principles (Tebow) helps football more than a player without principles (bounty leader Jonathan Vilma for example). Additionally, many of his interview provide a valuable insight: Tebow cares about those around him. He went to Asia as a missionary before he found stardom at Florida, so I fail to see evidence that he is disingenuous or farcical. Maybe he starts interview with “I’d like to thank God for…” but in my mind devotion to a concept very much outside of yourself should draw admiration. Why, for instance, can Tebow not being interviews that way without being vilified even though many sports figures want to talk about their charities with sports reporters. I see only a marginal difference.
Ok, stop and think about the previous paragraph…how much of what I just said has to do with Tebow’s performance on the field? Absolutely nothing. Tebow presents a sports anomaly – an athlete many follow for reasons not directly linked to game performance. Imagine how difficult it must be for a persona like Tebow to improve or focus on his football skills. The wider world cares not about his sports, but for his belief structure.
For that reason, the Jets should stop kidding themselves. Their recent acquisition of Tebow has more to do with luxury boxes than football. Maybe I am proven wrong on this, but regardless why would a team with a set starter acquire another QB with a wider, more ravenous following at all? The worst aspect of all this: a press conference on Tuesday announcing Tebow. How many sports teams do you know who plan a large press conference to introduce a back-up at any position?
The Jets clearly do not plan to give Tebow more than 10-15 snaps a game and while I appreciate wanting to create a buzz, continuing to feed the Tebowmania fire will not make Tim Tebow a better football player. For one thing, those followers think Tebow plays better than he does and will pine for a QB change too early in the season to save any kind of stability under center. Additionally, the kind of unrequited, unconditional support for Tebow ties the hands of trainers and coaches who will work to make him better. By all accounts, he has a great work ethic, but don’t underestimate the pressure fans can put on players, so much so that Tebow might not develop to where he can apply improvements during a game. Apparently he “fixed” his mechanics in practice last year, but most games after that did not bear out those rumors. Quarterbacks who need to develop must do just that by getting reps in practice and showing improvement to earn the confidence of a coaching staff. Development becomes much more difficult when trigger-happy fans call for a change.
ESPN’s Mark Schlereth, an extremely cogent football analyst, pointed out this is why many other players don’t like Tebow and wouldn’t want to play with him. He continues to create a buzz not for his play but for his non-football celebrity. Yes his team played well last year, but he wasn’t good enough to be kept on the roster at season’s end. And yet as Number Two on the depth chart he warrants a press conference, not to mention countless endorsements. A veteran who plays well without such attention will be jealous and a little bitter.
The Jets might gain more fans with the move, but very little results on the field. Tebow will lead their Wildcat formation and likely find some success, but by perpetuating the unrealistic expectations of Tebow faithful, the Jets invite unnecessary ridicule for themselves and likely stunted growth for Tebow as a player.
Bit #1: Congress should be Congress
One might say the Jets are pandering to a certain fan base by trading for Tebow. The same could be said of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which announced a hearing on bounties in football to happen soon. Without letting my politics get in the way, the Senate hasn’t passed a budget in three years and thus has plenty to look at outside the realm of sports. Being a former intern with a Judiciary senator, that specific committee has the largest jurisdiction of a anybody on Capitol Hill, so they have plenty to look into that does not involve sports. Perhaps they should stick to the matters of national security and social welfare, since I’d say Roger Goodell certainly addressed the problem without Congress’ help.
Bit #2: The dominance of Rick Pitino
Every year I trust Louisville in the tournament, until this year. After picking them to the Final Four last year, I resolved not to do so this year after Morehead State won in the first round last year. I trust them for one reason: Rick Pitino. Somehow, we focus a lot on Dean Smith, Coach K, and Bob Knight as the pantheon of college coaches, but Pitino continues to make a strong case to be included. He hasn’t won as many championships, but besides Coach K and Smith, Pitino is the only coach to reach the Final Four in four separate decades. And, unlike the Carolina gods of coaching, Pitino has done so with three different schools, so should always be in the conversation as one of the better coaches ever.
Bit #3: Carousel goes round and round in DC
The Caps struggle to find an identity in goal, especially now that the season starts to wind down. Against Philadelphia, Winnipeg, and Minnesota Braden Holtby, a call-up from AHL Hershey, played very well, complicating further who will start in net for the playoffs. For my vote, I say stick with the hot hand. Folks like Leighton, Roloson, Niemi and Ward are not amazing goalies but led their teams to the Finals by catching heat at the right time. An elite goalie isn’t needed to win the Cup, but whoever your goalie is must be on a roll come April.
Bit #4: The Odor of Odom
The Lamar Odom business continues to vex me. How can the reigning Sixth Man of the Year make so little impact for his team? Odom played 20 minutes or so against the Lakers, scoring one point more than a dead man. To add insult to injury, coach Rick Carlisle benched Odom for the game against rival San Antonio, reaching the true depths of despair for Odom. I understand the Lakers system might have worked well for him, but the lack of effort on Odom’s part renders him extremely unprofessional and generally juvenile. The Mavs must be ready to get rid of him and I hope so for the sake of all who tune in regularly to Mavericks games.
Bit #5: March 25, 1896 – Modern Olympics Established
Other than being the birthday for my brothers, March 25 also represents the birthday of the best showcase of amateur and international sports: the Olympics. In 1896, the first modern Olympic games began in Athens, Greece. I always enjoy the Olympics, mainly because the athletes might receive serious perks, but compete for their country and less for themselves. In addition, the Olympics represent the most complete illustration of athleticism in the world. Every possible sport of any worth has its place in the Olympics, and while synchronized swimming should be eliminated, fans continue to appreciate the depth of talent we see every two years. Rest assured, over the summer, I will be paying close attention to the London games.
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