Room for some intelligent NFL discussion in Hubski?
I'm not a Tebow fan. I think the kid is a third-string wide receiver, RB, or maybe a linebacker, but definitely not a quarterback. But as a person, I think the challenges he's faced as a Jet have matured him, and the rumor that he let sour grapes prompt him to refuse a spot on the field in the Jets' wildcat offense is almost certainly bullshit. If you can say anything about Tim Tebow as a football player, it's that he's always willing to get out there and play. Calling him "as phony as a three-dollar bill" is a ridiculous criticism to levy when there are numerous legitimate criticisms that can be aimed at Tebow's playing style. ESPN is just embarrassed that they bought into Tebow hype before he actually got on the field, and they're kicking his ass harder than it needs to be kicked to make up for it.
Hated him as a Bronco, and I completely believe that he was furious at not getting a permanent starting spot his first year in the NFL. But he doesn't seem to have the same outlandish expectations today, and, to be fair, those expectations were fueled by the media. He's not the showboating, press-craving rookie that he was here in Denver. He's continued his charity work even after it stopped attracting press attention. He's played where he was told to play and done his best, even knowing it wasn't going to be good enough for his team, his fans, or sports commentators.
No other backup QB in the league attracts either the love or the hate that Tebow does. I was on team "put a muzzle on that obnoxious prat" last year, but now that he's proven his ability to sit down, shut up, listen to the coach and play ball, I'm on team "leave Tebow alone and let him grow up."
You're right about why ESPN is piling onto him. What I don't understand is why anyone still cares to read/watch news about the backup quarterback of a mediocre team. If you're an NFL fan, you almost certainly have a team, and are thus primarily interested in it and its most connected teams. And then you may be interested in "stories," like Peterson this year, or the Patriots' undefeated attempt a few years back. None of this leaves any room for Tebow, unless I'm missing something. He's not a story, he's just a player. Colt McCoy is also a backup quarterback on a mediocre team who had success in college. No one talks about him, because he's just another player who hasn't particularly distinguished himself. I do not get it.
From the perspective of someone related to quite a few "Cult of Tebow" members: I don't know if I personally believe that, but it's what a lot of people do believe about Tebow. He does seem like a good guy, but he's never struck me as a strong player, and I've been a Bronco fan my entire life. I think the negative press on Tebow is just a backlash to the love he gets from Christian Football fans. And from a simple media perspective: The only thing that draws in more ratings than a white knight is watching that white knight fall.Tim Tebow is VERY outspoken about his faith, but only when asked about it. He doesn't shove it in people's faces, and he seems genuinely firm in his belief, both on and off the field. Some members of the media who don't share his belief then take it upon themselves to take him down a notch. He can seem holier-than-thou if taken out of context, which makes some people feel the need to take him down a notch.
I loved watching Tebow play. It was super fun knowing that he wasn't good but was winning anyway. I think that people completely missed the point of Tebow-mania and forgot (or never knew?) that sports is primarily about fun and entertainment. Watching guys like Mark Sanchez stink week after week is boring, and maybe Tebow would have become boring once he started losing, but he had the magic last year and it was hilarious and fun. Every team doesn't have a championship-capable QB, the next best thing is to have a shitty guy with a little spark.
I totally agree. I hate hearing about him for the same reasons; third string, not much usable NFL level talent, cult of Tebow, etc. But I must say this year he's been a great professional about his position on the Jets. No matter how terrible Sanchez is or the 1st/2nd/3rd string QB mess the Jets are in, Tebow has been very classy in how he addresses the constant questions he fields from the media on the subject. I do hope he goes to a place and system where he will be able to have an honest chance to perform and grow. He deserves it after the media-led and media-generated cults of personality and cults of criticism that ESPN and the sports media have created.