Tim Tebow Plays First Game After Two-Year Absence

Tim Tebow played in the preseason opener of the Philadelphia Eagles after being absent from the NFL for two years. While the return of Tebow allowed him to display some of the things that made him a first-round draft pick in 2010, it also showed some of the bad habits that had an adverse effect on his career.

He was 6-for-12 for 69 yards without any interceptions and touchdowns. He also ran fifteen yards along with a touchdown. The reentry of Tebow into the NFL is considered as his last chance of making it big in the league.

Even as it remains to be seen if his performance was good enough to earn him a spot in the roster, one person was contented with his performance. Philadelphia coach Chip Kelly said he like the way Tebow threw the ball. He said that while everyone was wondering if he changed, he had better sequencing during the game. Kelly added that Tim Tebow was able to throw the ball well when he had the chance to throw it to players who ran along the right routes.

Tim Tebow had a good start as he completed his first six throws for 61 yards. However, he was limited to 1-for-6 after this. Tebow said while they were able to do some decent things, they also have other things to work on. They have to improve in their communication and consistency when it comes to their receivers and offensive line, he added. While it will never be good as it appears, it is also not as bad as it appeared. Tebow said the game was another day for them to improve and they should try to become better in the future.

The biggest errors of Tebow were getting sacked three times instead of getting rid of the ball. Two of the sacks came on third downs. He was in a number of difficult situations since the offensive line that protected him was not the best the Philadelphia Eagles could offer. Kelly also said that some of the sacks came after the receiver did not run in the correct route.

Tim Tebow Plays First Game Since 2013 - image credit: bleacherreport.com

Even with this, Tebow still struggled with reads from the pocket and failed to make some plays as the pass rush was coming in at him. He had the tendency to stare at targets and did not find it easy to scan the field. Despite this, Tim Tebow showed some improvement since his last appearance in a preseason game for the New England Patriots in 2013. He was pressured from the right after taking a shotgun snap in the last play of the thirds quarter. He leaned to the left before sending the ball to Rasheed Bailey who gave the Philadelphia Eagles an eighteen-yard gain.

Kelly said Tebow was able to put the ball in the only place where it should go at that time. Tebow also displayed his speed-power combination on a seven-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter as the Philadelphia Eagles outscored the Indiana Colts 36-10.

Tim Tebow also drew a good-sized crowd as Philadelphia Eagles fans gave him a standing ovation when he entered the field. The cheers were so loud that it was necessary for Tebow to wave his arms in a plea to the crowd to quiet down so he can talk with his offensive line.

While Tebow felt “humbled” by the support from the crowd, he said his main focus is to make the team. He is currently fighting for a spot in the team with Mark Sanchez and Sam Bradford. Tebow is expected to beat Matt Barkley for a spot in the team. Barkley is a fourth-round draft pick in 2013.

Barkley entered the game during the first quarter and ended with 12 for 20 for 192 yards without any touchdowns but one interception. The Philadelphia Eagles signed Tim Tebow in April, and he trained under Tom House during the offseason in Los Angeles. The next preseason game of the Eagles is on August 22 against the Baltimore Ravens.

While it is not unusual for quarterbacks fighting for a third-string position to join other teams aside from the one they are currently with, Tebow said he did not think about this situation. Tim Tebow said he is not going to think about this and he will prepare himself for practice on Tuesday.

Posted by Andre Monohan on Monday August 17 2015, 9:30 AM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0