Baldy talks about Tim Tebow’s chances to make the Eagles. Photo by Andy Lewis/contrastphotography.com

On August 31, 2013 the Patriots made an announcement that was as loud and clear as Paul Revere
made shouting that “the British are coming.”

Tim Tebow was being released after a training camp stint where he completed a very Tebow like 37 percent of his passes and did not look like a player that could help the Patriots in any way.

The former first round pick of the Broncos was released before the 4th year of his publicized career would even begin.

Three teams in three years is a dubious beginning for any player, much less one that won a national championship in college and a Heisman Trophy as well.

His statement upon his release was pure Tebow. Amongst his final words he left the NFL world with this: “I will remain in relentless pursuit of continuing my lifelong dream of being an NFL quarterback.”

When he wasn’t charming crowds with his duties as an SEC Network College Football Analyst, he would go on to hire
Tom House, a quarterback Svengali, to work on his mechanics.

Tim Tebow believes he has improved his mechanics enough to makie the Eagles 53-man roster. Photo by T.J. Engler / contrastphotography.com

I was skeptical.

I new Tom House when he was the pitching coach of the Texas Rangers. Pitching baseballs from a mound and knifing footballs in to keyholes on the Sunday gridiron couldn’t be any more different in mechanics.

Evidently, Chip Kelly and the Eagles think differently. They worked Tebow out this past spring on two separate occasions and came away impressed with noticeable improvements to his throwing motion.

So much so that on April 20, 2015 the Eagles signed Tebow to their 90­man roster. More headlines for the team that dominated the off­season headlines.

But how valid is the signing? Is it any more valid than the one the Patriots did two years prior?
On paper, the Eagles third team quarterback from a year ago, Matt Barkley, played zero snaps.

If Tebow were to simply replace Barkley would it improve the Eagles chances of recapturing the NFC East title that they relinquished to the Cowboys in 2014? The simple answer is NO.

But I am intrigued by Tebow from a different standpoint. While I do not believe that an off­season or two of working with a QB guru can change the way anyone throws a football.

I do know that he is tough, competitive, loves the game, and wants the ball especially with the game on the line.

Not many third team quarterback’s in the league, believe it or not, want to be in that situation. I still recall that playoff game in January of 2012 vs the Pittsburgh Steelers as regulation time expired with the score tied 23­23.

I recall vividly telling my friend about the new OT rule that the NFL had just implemented the prior off­season. And just as I was about to finish what the new rule was, Tebow had thrown a dart to DeMaryius Thomas for an 80­-yard TD reception that had the newly formed twitter verse blow up as Tebow and the Broncos shocked the world.

Prior to that monumental OT finish I had two opportunities to announce two of Tebow’s wins during that 2011 stretch that is more famously known as TEBOWMANIA.

It was a remarkable run where he just found ways, many so improbable, to win close games inwaning minutes. There was the game at Arrowhead Stadium that saw Tebow complete all of two passes that day.

One, however, was the game clincher to Eric Decker for 56 yards and the game winner. Of course he would run for the other Bronco touchdown that afternoon. I spent much of my pregame duties doing nothing but watching Tebow throw. My gosh, he was a ball machine. I had never seen any QB at any level throw so many passes before the start to a game.

Did he ever fatigue? The problem was that every single throw came out different. He had no consistency to his delivery.

Many weeks later I saw him in a contest at Buffalo. CBS had made the Broncos v Bills game their national game of the week so I saw Phil Simms before the game.

Naturally our conversation turned to Tebow. Simms and myself spent 30 minutes on the field studying Tebow’s motion.

Phil had many things to say and to show. Most, if any, were positive about the many flaws to Tebow’s throwing motion. He was exactly right as Tebow completed six passes all day and three more to the Bills defense that saw two returned for touchdowns. Not to mention two costly fumbles as Tebow had a miserable flight home.

But I think the only coach and the only system that could resurrect Tebow’s career is Chip Kelly’s.

First of all there are enough practice reps for all the quarterbacks to get comfortable. The pace and design is similar to what Urban Meyer ran for him at Florida. He obviously understands the defenses dilemma in having to defend all six skilled players and the opportunities available for the QB to run.

Ultimately Tebow’s success or failure is going to come down to how he executes the offense as a passer.

In scrimmages vs the Ravens and in the four preseason games if his completion percentage is anywhere close to 60 percent I think Tebow will make the Eagles 53 man roster. And if he is on the roster, then just like in 2013 when the Eagles won the division, they could very well need three quarterbacks to get the job done.

Do not count Tebow out. I can’t wait for the games to begin.