Tim Tebow, NFL Safety?

As I watched Florida quarterback Tim Tebow in Saturday's win over Tennessee, I became more convinced than ever that he won't be an NFL quarterback. Tebow is a great quarterback in Florida's offense, but Tennessee defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin exposed real limitations, including an inability to feel pressure and a slow delivery, that just won't work in the NFL.

But Tebow can still be a very good player in the NFL -- on the other side of the ball.

The video above shows Tebow colliding with Tennessee safety Eric Berry, and although the person who posted it on YouTube labeled it as a "huge hit on Tebow," it would be more accurate to call it a huge hit by Tebow: It was Berry (one of the best players in college football) who ended up worse for wear after that collision.

And it's often the defensive player who's worse for wear after collisions with Tebow. There aren't many players in football who initiate contact more than Tebow does, and while that isn't exactly a good thing for an NFL quarterback, it's a great thing for an NFL safety.

Tebow wouldn't be the first star college quarterback to play defensive back in the NFL. Scott Frost, who led Nebraska to a national championship, had a six-year career as an NFL safety. It's a transition that makes a lot of sense for college quarterbacks who have the athletic talent but don't have the sophisticated passing ability to make it in the NFL.

Admittedly, Tebow lacks the blazing speed of the prototypical NFL defensive back and would probably be one of the slowest safeties in the NFL. But at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, he would be one of the biggest as well. On Sundays next year, we may very well see Tebow continue to use that 235-pound body to dish out the kinds of hits he delivered against Berry. He just won't be the one with the ball in his hands.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

9-21-2009 @ 11:02PM

Matt said...

Tebow is better suited to be a Daryl "Moose" Johnston clone.... tough get it done 3rd down, run over you fullback.

9-22-2009 @ 7:01AM

Tom said...

I wouldnt count Tebow out as an NFL quarterback until he and a good coach have had a go at it but as seen in the college scenario he does have to change quite a few things which he may be able to do. Tight end is mentioned frequently for him but I dont see him being satisfied with that because not enough action. He is Fantastic competitor and a Great young man

9-22-2009 @ 9:15AM

Jeff Colwell said...

Great comment Tom, He wouldn't be satisfied with playing tight end.... You must be a future NFL GM

9-22-2009 @ 9:17AM

Mike said...

Outside linebacker is the only spot he'll fit in. Too slow for any safty or conerback, can't pass and way to slow for a QB. He'd never last two games, or get pulled, whichever comes first. The #1 college team in America and their best play is the QB up the middle. You can sure tell the best players who can play early in the NFL have sure went there. Watch the trades on draft day next year, besides McCoy and Bradford there's not much left. But then again ask the Florida coach, poor baby, his wittle team has the flu and the other teams don't really try to win. What a candy azz coach. Whats he going to do next year when his little QB is gone. Meyer, what a baby. Try to coach at USC or OSU where any player worth a nickel plays until there junior year and always leaves.

9-24-2009 @ 4:20PM

Wade said...

hey mike you are a moron do you even watch college football or should we all get ready to critique your resume as a pro coach get a life

9-22-2009 @ 10:52AM

Mr. President said...

I hate to jump on the Tebow train but that guy is one of the best I have ever seen. He goes head to head with this guy when the average QB does a slide to avoid getting hit hard. Then he goes to the sideline to get his team pumped. GREAT athlete.

9-22-2009 @ 11:56AM

Nebster21 said...

Michael David Smith are you jealous much?

9-22-2009 @ 12:16PM

Ed Fielding said...

I dunno. I really don't. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Rothlesberger doesn't seem that fast and he's big and strong and seems to be doing pretty good, right? Tebow does have quarterbacking skills. I mean he's no Peyton Manning, but who is?

9-22-2009 @ 12:43PM

steve said...

what the big problem with him becoming a RB?

I don't see qb in his NFL future but he could still be an effective RB.

9-22-2009 @ 1:05PM

bzb ATL said...

Roethlisberger has a cannon compared to Tebow. The lob passes just won't work in pro.

With all the wildcat mania in the NFL right now, I'd certainly see Tebow as a "RB" option - especially .

His best fit would really be tight end. Plenty of incredibly athletic, strong competitors are TEs. Look at Tony Gonzales for the prime example.

9-22-2009 @ 1:06PM

Er, meant to say especially since the other fad in NFL right now are the platoon back systems.

9-22-2009 @ 2:56PM

Sully said...

Tebow is a winner! He doesn't need all the passing skills of others because he makes very few mistakes, is very smart, and has great instinct to run with the football when rushed, and is very quick and elusive. Those are great traits and will make up handsomely for any lack of passing skills. Montana wasn't that great a thrower, but was smarter than the rest, and Tebow actually reminds me more of Steve Young and his abilities. I hope he goes to the Cowboys for their sake and my sanity!

9-23-2009 @ 3:01PM

boldbigman said...

Whatever it is that you are smoking please send me some. To Tebow in the same sentence with Montana and Young you have to be smoking some good stuff. Tebow is GARBAGE.........

9-22-2009 @ 4:22PM

Geezer said...

In the '01 Pats episode of "America's Game," Tom Brady talks about how he saw his scouting report, and it said he was "too slow" and didn't make decisions quickly.

My point is, it's much too early to declare him a "non-NFL quarterback." Any QB in the NFL can become a superstar, as we've seen recently with Kurt Warner, Philip Rivers, Brady, Drew Brees, and Matt Cassel.

9-23-2009 @ 9:35AM

easy7179 said...

whoever drafts him will take him as a qb and work with him to develop into an nfl quality passer. it may take 1,2,3 or more years but he's not ever going to play safety (really!?) or linebacker or tightend!

9-23-2009 @ 11:06AM

ddazed69 said...

Tebow is tough, but, come sec championship game, he will not run over 6'5" 354 lb Mount Cody....

9-24-2009 @ 4:29PM

no one going to run over mount cody hahahaha...
but it is going to be a great game that QB alabama,s got is badazz

GO GATORS>>>

9-23-2009 @ 11:11AM

pasdadosia said...

Well I originally pictured Tebow as a Steve Young protege in the NFL, good deap ball, great runner, funny southpaw delivery...Young was a bit more accurate, but not near as tough. The hit with Berry though made me realize that Tebow will end up with Young's demise in the NFL as well, because in the NFL, there are numerous defensive backs with Berry's hitting ability. That will wear on anyone's body. (this is why the shelf life of running backs is so low remember)Tebow very well could be a "productive" NFL quarterback, but not legendary. This has nothing to do with his ability to throw the ball as some have concluded.

One thing I never pictured though was Tebow as a John Lynch style rover until I heard Lynch's name connected to Monty in the game Saturday. Then this article makes a lot of sense. I could only imagine what Tebow could do for an NFL defense if he was the 8th man in the box. That NFL team would have a hell of a run defense. I am curious to know what kind of pass defensive skills he has.

Go Gators!!

9-23-2009 @ 11:34AM

bravzfan08 said...

If not a qb, maybe a fullback or tight end, but definitely not a safety.

9-23-2009 @ 6:31PM

Gordy said...

He is a great college player, no doubt. You can never tell what might happen when he gets to the pros. Big Ben wasn't "polished" when he was drafted in the first round and no one really expected those kind of results from him. If Tebow gets with the right team he should do just fine as a QB!

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