NEWTON A BETTER PROSPECT THAN TEBOW? NO WAY!

GATOR GRIDIRON
ROGER FRANKLIN WILLIAMS

The 2011 NFL draft has been completed and former Auburn spread option, and former Gator backup QB, Cam Newton has been crowned the new  "Greatest Quarterback Ever" not to mention "NFL Franchise Savior".  I find this to be more than a bit curious, since only a year ago we were told by the so-called NFL draft experts that Tim Tebow was a "reach" as an NFL QB at best and actually a more likely TE or H-Back in the NFL-----largely because he was a spread formation QB. Gee,  playing in the spread didn't seem to be much of a negative for Cam Newton (in the eyes of the "experts" aka know-nothings , aka Tebow Haters).

Putting aside for a moment Gator Gridiron's opinion that the spread formation had little or nothing to do with the attacks on Tim Tebow--- the spread formation was just a convenient smokescreen, we find it incredible that Cam Newton would be considered a better NFL prospect than Tim Tebow.

So much misinformation has been spread about Tebow, his accomplishments and his abilities (especially by critics with malicious intent) I don't even know quite where to start to defend him....but here goes.....

First and foremost, Tim Tebow is an outstanding passer....no, not just an outstanding passer ONE OF THE GREATEST PASSERS IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL HISTORY! Almost 10,000 career yards passing(more than Dan Marino, by the way), over 80 career touchdowns, 3,200 yards his Sophomore year alone, AND the 3rd highest career efficiency rating in NCAA HISTORY! Cam Newton, on the other hand, in the one year he was a Divison I starting QB, was a pure product of the spread option offense---look down the field, find a receiver or take off running.

In addition to superior passing skills--- particularly efficiency and accuracy, Tebow towers over Ncwton in other vital criteria that are critical to success for an NFL QB. Does leadership count? The impact of Tebow's leadership in the Gator program has already become college football legend. Newton, on the other hand, has been dogged by cheating, law breaking and financial scandal for his entire college career. Newton, reportedly, was also un-impressive in his pre-draft interviews with at least some NFL teams.

Even in running style Tim Tebow's style is more suited to success at the next level than Newton's; Tim can go between the tackles and grind out first downs and TD's, whereas Newton is more of a "scrambler" who has a tendency to take off and run when, at the next level, it is more preferred to stay in the pocket and look for a receiver. Plus, Tim can scramble just as good as Newton when he chooses to do so.

And let's not forget that Tim Tebow had 3 of the best first 3 game starting performances by a QB in NFL history.

Therefore, with Tim Tebow the superior prospect, by judging on the field performance, as well as off-the-field "intangibles", why is Cam Newton being lauded as the official "Greatest Thing Ever" and Tebow has been the object of over-the-top criticism and ridicule?

The answers are multiple and complex. Gator Gridiron will address that issue in the days ahead.

Until then, remember this....Gator Gridiron declares that TIM TEBOW is not only the better NFL QB prospect, but that when it is all over, Tim Tebow will have the vastly superior NFL career.
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