Tim Tebow headed to Broncos after big surprise in NFL draft
By David Jones, Florida Today
By David Jones, Florida Today
Denver Broncos first-round draft pick Tim Tebow is congratulated by his sister Katie Shepherd after being selected with the 25th pick in the NFL draft.
JACKSONVILLE — It looks like Tim Tebow's first game as a pro football player will, indeed, be in his hometown of Jacksonville.
One problem.
He'll be on the visiting sideline.
The Denver Broncos, who chose the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner with the 25th selection overall of the NFL draft on Thursday night, will visit the Jaguars on Sept. 12 on the opening week of the NFL's regular season.
And the Broncos paid a strong price to get Tebow, giving up a second, third and fourth round draft pick to move up.
"That will be exciting to be honest," Tebow said of his pro career starting in the area he became a high school legend. "I'm just going to compete, go in there and get some playing time and just get better. Be part of a franchise and a great organization. That's what I'm excited about."
Tebow said he wasn't surprised Jacksonville passed on him.
"I had only met with them one time and it was an interview at the combine," Tebow said. "I hadn't done a workout for them or had a visit. We hadn't actually really talked to anybody from the Jaguars from the combine so I didn't really think that they were that interested."
Tebow chuckled when asked about his number coming available and said, "If they want me to wear 15, I'll wear 15."
That was Tebow's uniform at UF and just came open when Denver star receiver Brandon Marshall departed for the Miami Dolphins.
A little after 8:30 p.m. Thursday, the hearts of Jaguars football fans collectively skipped a beat when the Buffalo Bills selected C.J. Spiller with the ninth pick of the NFL Draft. But Jacksonville, picking 10th, took Cal defensive tackle Tyson Alualu. Tebow would have been a reach. Alualu may have been just as far of a stretch, however, with the No. 10 selection.
But the Broncos new quarterback seemed thrilled where he landed. Denver has Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn already on the roster.
Tebow said he talked with Gators coach Urban Meyer almost right away and he called his mentor, "Excited."
Tebow said Broncos coach Josh McDaniels, who called him with the news, was a great fit.
"I'm excited just to pick his brain and go out there and just start grinding," Tebow said.
The former Florida quarterback said being selected in the first round wasn't important, but having a team with faith in him was.
"They're going to get my heart and soul and everything that comes with me," Tebow said.
McDaniels worked him out in Denver recently and came away impressed.
"I think I just showed them I was going to do whatever it takes," Tebow said. "Just my work ethic and them believing in me, I can accomplish what they want me to accomplish."
While Tebow has a pile of critics, not everyone felt the pick was questionable.
"It's not just about playing quarterback, it's about adding him to your football team," former Tampa Bay Bucs coach and ESPN NFL analyst Jon Gruden said. "Who knows when he's going to play, what he's going to play, how he's going to play? But you are adding one big-time human being on your football team. This is what Josh McDaniels is all about — character, work ethic dependability, leadership.
"And this guy, Tebow, will not be denied. He will develop into a big-time football player. He will be huge in the Broncos' community. I love this pick right here. I'm a little surprised that it's Denver given the fact they just traded for Brady Quinn. But I know Josh McDaniels is an offensive guy, a creative mind. They got into the wildcat last year with Knowshon Moreno. They'll have a package for Tebow. It might be in the red zone, short yardage and goal line, but this guy's going to give them something."
One problem.
He'll be on the visiting sideline.
The Denver Broncos, who chose the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner with the 25th selection overall of the NFL draft on Thursday night, will visit the Jaguars on Sept. 12 on the opening week of the NFL's regular season.
And the Broncos paid a strong price to get Tebow, giving up a second, third and fourth round draft pick to move up.
"That will be exciting to be honest," Tebow said of his pro career starting in the area he became a high school legend. "I'm just going to compete, go in there and get some playing time and just get better. Be part of a franchise and a great organization. That's what I'm excited about."
Tebow said he wasn't surprised Jacksonville passed on him.
"I had only met with them one time and it was an interview at the combine," Tebow said. "I hadn't done a workout for them or had a visit. We hadn't actually really talked to anybody from the Jaguars from the combine so I didn't really think that they were that interested."
Tebow chuckled when asked about his number coming available and said, "If they want me to wear 15, I'll wear 15."
That was Tebow's uniform at UF and just came open when Denver star receiver Brandon Marshall departed for the Miami Dolphins.
A little after 8:30 p.m. Thursday, the hearts of Jaguars football fans collectively skipped a beat when the Buffalo Bills selected C.J. Spiller with the ninth pick of the NFL Draft. But Jacksonville, picking 10th, took Cal defensive tackle Tyson Alualu. Tebow would have been a reach. Alualu may have been just as far of a stretch, however, with the No. 10 selection.
But the Broncos new quarterback seemed thrilled where he landed. Denver has Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn already on the roster.
Tebow said he talked with Gators coach Urban Meyer almost right away and he called his mentor, "Excited."
Tebow said Broncos coach Josh McDaniels, who called him with the news, was a great fit.
"I'm excited just to pick his brain and go out there and just start grinding," Tebow said.
The former Florida quarterback said being selected in the first round wasn't important, but having a team with faith in him was.
"They're going to get my heart and soul and everything that comes with me," Tebow said.
McDaniels worked him out in Denver recently and came away impressed.
"I think I just showed them I was going to do whatever it takes," Tebow said. "Just my work ethic and them believing in me, I can accomplish what they want me to accomplish."
While Tebow has a pile of critics, not everyone felt the pick was questionable.
"It's not just about playing quarterback, it's about adding him to your football team," former Tampa Bay Bucs coach and ESPN NFL analyst Jon Gruden said. "Who knows when he's going to play, what he's going to play, how he's going to play? But you are adding one big-time human being on your football team. This is what Josh McDaniels is all about — character, work ethic dependability, leadership.
"And this guy, Tebow, will not be denied. He will develop into a big-time football player. He will be huge in the Broncos' community. I love this pick right here. I'm a little surprised that it's Denver given the fact they just traded for Brady Quinn. But I know Josh McDaniels is an offensive guy, a creative mind. They got into the wildcat last year with Knowshon Moreno. They'll have a package for Tebow. It might be in the red zone, short yardage and goal line, but this guy's going to give them something."
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