Assassin Spoonless wrote:
But really, it hampers them to have to build a system around Tebow with his skillset. Once they have it set up, what if he gets injured? You're not likely going to have a QB who is going to be able to step in and run the same system.
More or less this x2. He's basically a running back who can throw slightly better (ok, a fair amount better) than most running backs. To use him effectively the entire system has to be built around option plays designed to force defenses to choose between run/pass (in some cases, with no right answer). He isn't skilled enough to do timing routes, precision fades, or any of the other stock stuff a good quarterback is expected to do in the NFL. He basically
has to use his running ability to scare the d-line into containment instead of going for the sack, the secondary into second guessing whether to cover a receiver or a break out run, and the safety's into whether to cover deep or short. He's got a good enough arm to hit a receiver that is wide freaking open (by NFL standards), and if he's able to use the tricks to make that happen, he has significant success.
The problem is that once he gets injured a system built around him will collapse. And let's face it. Running backs get injured every season. That's why most teams have 3-4 of them on the roster. But unless Denver basically commits to hiring a couple of running backs and teaching them to play the quarterback position as back up to Tebow, he's going to run out of steam at some point and then they're screwed.
I also noticed something when the Patriots played Denver last time. They used a different approach than Pittsburgh tried yesterday. Instead of loading the box and focusing on the run, they'd just send one extra guy in with a rush, but keep him on the periphery. He'd just float around and pay attention to the pocket. Normally, with a 3 or 4 man rush, you'll get a hole that opens up on one side of the pocket. This is what QBs step into to throw usually, but Tebow uses it to create a second option run/pass (which is what screws up defenses). The Patriots kept a line backer out of the fray and when that hole opened up, he'd wait for Tebow to step into it and then hit him. It seemed to work pretty well, and I'm surprised that Pittsburgh didn't do the same thing. It pretty much stopped him cold and got him sacked a lot of times in that game.
I expect more of the same next week.