Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Michael Ainsworth
It appears the Texans are already preparing for life after Deshaun Watson, considering their first pick of the 2021 draft was Stanford quarterback Davis Mills in the third round. Mills won't keep them from drafting a quarterback here if Watson gets traded. Two of Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley's last three quarterbacks went No. 1 overall. Rattler is a Heisman favorite headed into next season. Top needs: QB, Edge, OL
Michael Ainsworth
It appears the Texans are already preparing for life after Deshaun Watson, considering their first pick of the 2021 draft was Stanford quarterback Davis Mills in the third round. Mills won't keep them from drafting a quarterback here if Watson gets traded. Two of Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley's last three quarterbacks went No. 1 overall. Rattler is a Heisman favorite headed into next season. Top needs: QB, Edge, OL
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Chris Pietsch
The only player from Oregon to go first overall in the NFL Draft was George Shaw in 1955. Thibodeaux could threaten that streak. He has combined for 3.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, 10 tackles and 18 quarterback pressures in two career Pac-12 Championship Games. Top needs: Edge, LB, OT
Chris Pietsch
The only player from Oregon to go first overall in the NFL Draft was George Shaw in 1955. Thibodeaux could threaten that streak. He has combined for 3.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, 10 tackles and 18 quarterback pressures in two career Pac-12 Championship Games. Top needs: Edge, LB, OT
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Jay LaPrete
Harrison is still developing pass rush instincts, but a third year coached up by defensive line savant Larry Johnson should do the trick. He could test off the charts when we return to the combine in Indy. Top needs: WR, Edge, LB
Jay LaPrete
Harrison is still developing pass rush instincts, but a third year coached up by defensive line savant Larry Johnson should do the trick. He could test off the charts when we return to the combine in Indy. Top needs: WR, Edge, LB
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Carlos Osorio
I expect Hamilton to be one of the best all-around defenders in the nation next season. He features a rare combination of size (6-foot-4, 210 pounds), athleticism and football IQ for a defensive back. Top needs: CB, TE, S
Carlos Osorio
I expect Hamilton to be one of the best all-around defenders in the nation next season. He features a rare combination of size (6-foot-4, 210 pounds), athleticism and football IQ for a defensive back. Top needs: CB, TE, S
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Michael Dwyer
Howell has piled up 7,227 yards, 68 touchdowns and only 14 interceptions in two seasons. He'd be the sixth quarterback from the ACC to be selected in the first round since 2017 — Watson (2017), Mitchell Trubisky (2017), Lamar Jackson (2018), Daniel Jones (2019) and Trevor Lawrence (2021). Top needs: QB, Edge, LB
Michael Dwyer
Howell has piled up 7,227 yards, 68 touchdowns and only 14 interceptions in two seasons. He'd be the sixth quarterback from the ACC to be selected in the first round since 2017 — Watson (2017), Mitchell Trubisky (2017), Lamar Jackson (2018), Daniel Jones (2019) and Trevor Lawrence (2021). Top needs: QB, Edge, LB
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Brynn Anderson
Ridder's size (6-4, 215), accuracy and dual-threat capabilities make him an intriguing prospect. He's already 30-5 as a starter and if he levels up, he could be in considered for the top overall pick. Top needs: QB, OL, CB
Brynn Anderson
Ridder's size (6-4, 215), accuracy and dual-threat capabilities make him an intriguing prospect. He's already 30-5 as a starter and if he levels up, he could be in considered for the top overall pick. Top needs: QB, OL, CB
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Sam Craft
Leal is already one of the most physically imposing players in the SEC and he's still growing. He features inside-outside versatility and is an asset against the run or pass. Top needs: DT, OL, WR
Sam Craft
Leal is already one of the most physically imposing players in the SEC and he's still growing. He features inside-outside versatility and is an asset against the run or pass. Top needs: DT, OL, WR
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
John Bazemore
After the Steelers failed to address offensive tackle in the draft, I doubt Ben Roethlisberger has much longer. If you're looking for a quarterback with breakout potential like Joe Burrow or Mac Jones, it's Daniels in his first full season as Bulldogs starter. Top needs: QB, OT, CB
John Bazemore
After the Steelers failed to address offensive tackle in the draft, I doubt Ben Roethlisberger has much longer. If you're looking for a quarterback with breakout potential like Joe Burrow or Mac Jones, it's Daniels in his first full season as Bulldogs starter. Top needs: QB, OT, CB
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Jeffrey McWhorter
If Ross' medical evaluations — he missed 2020 after neck surgery — check out, he's likely the first wide receiver drafted. He has top-10 talent. Top needs: WR, DT, TE
Jeffrey McWhorter
If Ross' medical evaluations — he missed 2020 after neck surgery — check out, he's likely the first wide receiver drafted. He has top-10 talent. Top needs: WR, DT, TE
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Jeffrey McWhorter
Bonitto produced 8.5 sacks in his final seven games as a sophomore. A double-digit sack season wouldn't surprise me as a follow-up. Top needs: CB, LB, OL
Jeffrey McWhorter
Bonitto produced 8.5 sacks in his final seven games as a sophomore. A double-digit sack season wouldn't surprise me as a follow-up. Top needs: CB, LB, OL
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Matthew Putney
Hall finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting after leading the nation in rushing yards (1,572) and 100-yard rushing games (nine). Top needs: RB, LB, OL
Matthew Putney
Hall finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting after leading the nation in rushing yards (1,572) and 100-yard rushing games (nine). Top needs: RB, LB, OL
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Barry Reeger
Wilson was impressive in the slot as a sophomore — 723 yards on 43 receptions and six touchdowns in eight games. He'll have a chance to show what he can do outside this season. Top needs: WR, Edge, LB
Barry Reeger
Wilson was impressive in the slot as a sophomore — 723 yards on 43 receptions and six touchdowns in eight games. He'll have a chance to show what he can do outside this season. Top needs: WR, Edge, LB
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Butch Dill
The Chiefs could pair Wydermyer with Travis Kelce and create all kinds of headaches for defensive coordinators. The 6-5, 260 pound tight end is a reliable blocker and was named as a finalist for the John Mackey Award in 2021 after producing 506 yards on 46 receptions and six touchdowns as a sophomore. Top needs: S, WR, Edge
Butch Dill
The Chiefs could pair Wydermyer with Travis Kelce and create all kinds of headaches for defensive coordinators. The 6-5, 260 pound tight end is a reliable blocker and was named as a finalist for the John Mackey Award in 2021 after producing 506 yards on 46 receptions and six touchdowns as a sophomore. Top needs: S, WR, Edge
The headline blared throughout the sports world Tuesday:
“Jaguars release Tim Tebow”
Just like that, the career of one sports’ most fascinating characters came to a sudden conclusion.
Unless, of course, Tebow tries to make it in the NBA.
Or maybe the NHL.
If you’re talking about college football’s all-time great players, Tebow is in the conversation. He helped Florida to two national championships and won the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore in 2007.
If you’re talking about opponents who broke the Steelers’ hearts and, yes, your heart, Tebow is in the conversation. He was a lousy NFL quarterback and played exactly one great game in a pro career that lasted three seasons. Unfortunately, it came in a playoff game after the 2011 season when he passed for 316 yards and two touchdowns and beat the Steelers, 29-23, in overtime. Will you ever forget his game-winning, 80-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime? Ike Taylor never will forget it.
If you’re talking about athletes who were willing to attempt to defy overwhelming odds, Tebow is in the conversation. He tried to make it in baseball in the New York Mets’ organization in 2016 at 29 despite not playing the sport since he was a senior in high school. Remarkably, he got as far as Class AAA in 2019.
Tebow tried to make it in the NFL again at 34 this summer, this time as a tight end with the Jacksonville Jaguars. So what that he was released on the team’s first cut? Better to try and fail than not to try at all.
What’s sad is a lot of people are celebrating Tebow’s release. He always has been a polarizing athlete, more than just about anyone. Maybe it’s because people are jealous of him. Or maybe it’s because he never has been shy about his Christian faith. All I know is there is no good reason to root against the man.
Cutting Tebow was an easy call, even for Jaguars coach Urban Meyer, who was his coach at Florida and benefited more than anyone from his sizable accomplishments. Social media was buzzing Saturday after the Jaguars’ exhibition game against the Cleveland Browns. Tebow was caught on video attempting and failing horribly to make a block on consecutive plays. As someone on Twitter noted, he looked like a former quarterback who hasn’t played football since the 2015 exhibition season trying to block a professional linebacker.
“We knew that it was uphill battle for Tim,” Meyer said Tuesday. “Players loved him. Locker room loved him. But it was the right thing.”
Meyer had been widely criticized for giving Tebow this opportunity. The criticism was nonsense. Why not give a shot to a player you knew and who had done amazing things for you? Those who thought Meyer was just going to hand Tebow a job were out of their mind. Meyer is a terrific coach. His job is to build his best team and win games. He couldn’t have looked his other players in the eye if he had kept Tebow on the team. Players know better than anyone who deserves to make it and who doesn’t. Meyer said it was clear Tebow wasn’t just overmatched at tight end. He wasn’t going to be able to help on special teams.
“Thankful for the highs and even the lows, the opportunities and the setbacks,” Tebow wrote on Twitter. “I’ve never wanted to make decisions out of fear of failure and I’m grateful for the chance to have pursued a dream …
“We know that … God works all things together for good. Romans 8:28.”
A long career in broadcasting appears to be ahead for Tebow. He has spent the past six seasons working for ESPN and the SEC Network as a football analyst. He is very good at it. No one knows the game better. No one has experienced the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat in sports quite like he has.
“Elite warrior,” Meyer called Tebow. “Elite competitor.”
