Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Dolphins, Ronnie Brown and the Wildcat

Because all things have to come back to Tim Tebow...

I was pondering Ronnie Brown's performance on Sunday -- he scored 4 TDs (3 run, 1 pass) from 6 direct-snaps (then added another rushing TD from a standard formation).

(1) I'm wondering if we'll see this pop up as a mini-trend in the NFL. Certainly McFadden and LaDainian can pull it off, as can some other RBs. If it baffles Belichick, it makes sense to try.

(2) I'm wondering if this is suddenly Tim Tebow's place in the NFL. I think he can be an every-down QB, but I appreciate that many of you disagree with me. Let's stipulate to it then.

Isn't it possible that Tebow could be installed as a "red-zone specialist," able to either run it in himself (much like Brown, either between or around the tackles) or make the pass?

Now, I'm not sure how many QBs want to specialize in being a "Between-the-2os" QB, giving up the TDs and red-zone opportunities to another guy. (But Pennington sorta did, right?)

Tebow may not reinvent the QB position -- at least not the full-time QB position. But what if he reinvents the position by turning "Red-Zone QB" into a skill-position of its own? (And imagine his fantasy value...)

Let me throw this theory out there, then we can all laugh and file it away for later: I have long suspected that Bill Belichick wants to draft Tebow, (a) because he's tight with Urban Meyer and (b) because as the consummate Xs and Os guy, Belichick is intrigued by the potential described above. Maybe not every drive that lands inside the 20, but often enough to make a difference.

I suspect that after what Ronnie Brown did to his defense this weekend -- over and over and over again -- Belichick will be even more keen to make a move to somehow acquire Tebow.

(But, cripes, can you imagine if the Patriots drafted Tebow? Oh god: Then I'd have to become a Patriots fan. See: Now I'm sure this is going to happen, if only to provide the maximum schadenfreude for the rest of you.)

-- D.S.

3 comments:

cd said...

Dan,
I enjoy the argument, but if we only go back to 1995-1997 era of the Steelers with Kordell (Slash) Stewart. We saw the very same thing of a Red Zone quarterback who played receiver at that point. This can work, but at some point that player starts to think they can play in other situations.

evan said...

Find me the QB with an ego small enough and a team-first attitude who would give up the reins to Tebow. The only thing worse than being brought in as a specialist is being the guy who can't get it all done.

DP said...

I think that Stewart was never a good QB and this is why dolezal's post has issues, but I definitely understand why people think this might not be possible. The problem is that most people think of tebow from his highlight reels and not the game-managment he actually does during the contest. They guy has wonderful accuracy and a body that was built to run through defenses. I think, even if he were a pocket passer, that Tebow can accel in the NFL. I don't think he is going to change the game, but I also think he will be like Vince Young but with a great arm. If you look at what Jay Cutler or Joe Flacco are doing right now, why couldn't Tebow do this? They have a great pocket presence but can run with the fastest. I think Tebow will be completely amazing in the NFL and this couldn't happen to a greater guy and Christian role-model as far as I am concerned.