Tim Tebow is finally taking a backseat to media attention after Aaron Hernandez was arrested and released by the Patriots and the star knows the tight end from his time as Florida with the Gators when they were teammates.
The case has shed light on that time with Hernandez and he has been accused of a shooting back in 2007, as well as gang ties and failed drug tests, although the Florida AD refuted that report. Tebow is finally off the market and after weeks of speculation about where the quarterback would land after the New York Jets released him following the draft, that question has been answered, as the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick have decided to sign the quarterback.
According to ESPN.com, Tebow signed with the team and will be in the mandatory minicamp starting this week. There were reports earlier in the offseason that head coach Bill Belichick did not like Tebow as a player, but clearly those reports were very wrong, which is what the coach said about them after they came out. The move also brings Tebow back to his former coach in Denver in Josh McDaniels, as he was the one who drafted him in the first round in 2010. If there is anyone that can put Tebow is good situations on offense its McDaniels and Belichick and there are also reports that Tebow could see time at tight end, which would help him get on the field more.
Tebow is an intriguing option for Belichick and many around the NFL felt that it was the only true destination for the quarterback in the league, as offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels worked with the quarterback and drafted him in Denver and also because Belichick isn't afraid to try new things on offense to shake things up. Just don't expect any of that to involve the starting position or Tom Brady, who obviously has no issues with his job security. Belichick has described Tebow as a smart player and a hard worker and many around the league feel that way and he will bring that to the team in whatever role he plays.
According to Pro Football Talk, Florida Athletics Director Jeremy Foley said that information that has come about the tight end's past at the school is wrong. Reports have come out that NFL teams did not like what they were seeing from the past history of the tight end leading into the draft and some of that comes from his time at Florida. Foley said that the information is not true and that reports of him failing drug tests were also misreported.
Florida Athletics Director Jeremy Foley told al.com, "The information from the NFL sources is wrong." Steve McClain, senior associate athletics director, texted al.com: "I would go on record saying he didn't fail six drug tests (at Florida)." That raises an obvious follow-up question: If he didn't fail six drug tests, how many drug tests did he fail? That question remains unanswered by Florida officials.
The 25-year-old received a two year deal with no guarantees and since the Patriots carried only two quarterbacks last season with Tom Brady and Ryan Mallett, there's no way that the team will ditch Mallett for Tebow, as Belichick is not one to waste draft picks or commodities and Mallett fits both of those. Belichick will see how Tebow fits in during the mandatory minicamp and he could carry him as a third quarterback and a tight end option, as the team dealt with injuries to both Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. Tebow was initially hesitant to change positions at all earlier this year when asked about it, but presumably with the way things have went and the fact that it's Belichick, he will likely do whatever he can to have the ball in his hands.
