NY Times: Tebow and Bradford Face Quick Decisions on N.F.L. Draft
 

Tebow and Bradford Face Quick Decisions on N.F.L. Draft
By PETE THAMEL and THAYER EVANS

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — After spending the season as college football’s marquee stars, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford now hold the biggest off-season question in their hands.

Tebow, a junior, and Bradford, a redshirt sophomore, face a Thursday deadline for nonseniors to declare for the N.F.L. draft. And while each is a Heisman Trophy winner and a homegrown star at his state’s university, they project much differently as N.F.L. prospects. Both have filed paperwork with the N.F.L. to see where they are likely to be picked in April’s draft. Two rabid fan bases will be waiting anxiously for their decisions.

Gil Brandt, a former Dallas Cowboys executive and an analyst for NFL.com, said that he believed Bradford would be a top-10 pick and that Tebow would go in the lower half of the first round.

Tebow said Thursday night that he felt a strong emotional pull to return to college but that he would determine what was best for his career and his family.

The decision may be trickier for Bradford.

One N.F.L. scout, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not permitted to talk publicly about draft prospects, said Bradford was a “no-brainer” overall No. 1 pick and compared him to Troy Aikman, the first pick in the 1989 draft.

“When you’ve watched him at Oklahoma over the years, he sticks out like a sore thumb,” the scout said. “He’s not a nickel-dime, dink-and-dunk guy. He throws those deep balls as good as anyone I’ve ever seen.”

Bradford is ranked No. 1 by some draft experts, and there are only minor questions about him. Bradford, 21, has not quite filled in his 6-foot-4 frame — he is listed at 218 pounds — and Oklahoma’s offense has kept him from facing much pass-rush pressure. Still, the positives are considered impressive.

“He’s got the size, the arm, the feet and the release,” the scout said. “He makes good decisions. He seems like a really easy guy to evaluate.”

Another factor that may sway Bradford is that Oklahoma is losing four senior offensive linemen. And as many as three of Oklahoma’s top four receivers may not return, meaning that Bradford would have a drastically different cast around him. The Sooners scored 716 points this season, a modern N.C.A.A. record, and Bradford threw for 50 touchdowns with 8 interceptions.

Bradford’s most telling comment this week might have come when he was asked if he would be watching the N.F.L. playoffs.

“I’m not a big N.F.L. guy,” he said. “I don’t watch a lot of it.”

After Thursday night’s loss, Bradford said he was unsure of his future.

“Obviously, I’ll think about it within the next week,” he said. “It’s something that I haven’t put a lot of concentration into it.”

Tebow’s N.F.L. future is a bit murkier. The scout, who said he was not sold on Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, an early entry for the draft, said that Tebow could be the second-best quarterback prospect but one with glaring deficiencies. Some have speculated that Tebow could end up as a fullback or a tight end because of his 6-foot-3, 240-pound frame. The scout sees Tebow as a quarterback, but one that has to be looked at skeptically because he is not a natural passer.

The scout said the bottom line comparison between the two was that Bradford made big plays with his arm this season and Tebow made them with his legs. Tebow was No. 4 nationally in passing efficiency entering Thursday night’s game and finished the season with 30 touchdown passes and 4 interceptions.

“I think he’ll be back,” Florida’s offensive coordinator, Dan Mullen, said. “He’ll make a very educated decision. He’ll look at all the options, and if he’s a first-rounder, he’ll probably leave, but if he’s not, he won’t.”

Florida Coach Urban Meyer would obviously like Tebow to return but said he would be a fine N.F.L. quarterback.

“When I hear people say, ‘I wonder if he can play in the N.F.L.’, then I don’t know what football is,” Meyer said. “I don’t have any idea what happens in the N.F.L. Scoring points and taking care of the ball, third-down efficiency are important. He can play at any level, anywhere.”

Scouts express few doubts about Bradford’s readiness, but Brandt said Bradford’s value would be even higher in next year’s draft.

“This is a guy that needs to stay in school,” Brandt said. “He’s really started to develop in the last year.”

We should not go for a QB in in the first 2 rounds.

BPA, and if it's a QB you grab him.

:spock:

I really hope he comes out....

There's a chance that Tebow, Harvin and/or Spikes make an announcement tomorrow at the national championship celebration.

On the Sports Animal in OKC yesterday an OU insider said he believed Bradford was leaning towards staying in colege. I find that hard to believe but this guys information is usually pretty good. He said he wouldn't rule out Bradford going but said he heard some things after Thursday's game that made him believe Bradford would stay.

Good luck with a new line and wide receivers if he does. That decision could cost him millions.

I'd be shocked if all three DON'T stay in school and try to win another NC.

Hopefully they all come out. As a Bronco fan, I'd only really be interested in Spikes. However, the more players that announce at a position that isn't in demand for the Broncos, the more likely that a player in need falls.

Maybe that will be good for the Chiefs ... if we fail to get our QBOTF this year, his stock drops and we can get him where we will draft next year.

I prefer he come out and give us a chance at him or Stafford.

Tebow needs to stay until his Senior year though. The guy is too raw, and need an awesome QB coach to teach better mechanics, footwork, and the nuances like not zeroing in at one or two targets. I believe he can do it, but he'll have to work his balls off.

Tebow isn't an NFL caliber QB... PERIOD.

Having a decent (not great game) against a mediocre Oklahoma defense is not going to convince me otherwise.

I've never read an article that uses periods in "N.F.L."

I was about to mention the same thing, but you beat me to it.

Then I guess you've never read the New York Times.

I thought that was fairly reeruned.

Like Me...........

I really think Tebow should stay in school especially since Meyer just hired Scot Loeffler as QB coach. He could really benefit from a guy who has NFL credentials and has developed QBs before.

I don't know about that. I still think Harvin and Spikes leave, but we'll see. There's been rumblings that they'll stay.

I think Tebow should take a long walk on a short pier.

Yeah, let's just make this one short and sweet:


1) Tebow. I have no interest in a high-round, high dollar Tight End.

2) Bradford. Get your ass back to class, stickman; you ain't EVEN ready.


Thank you, that is all.

TEBOW IS COMING BACK

SWEET VIRGINIA, YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just one left; C'mooooooooooooooooooooooooonnnnn Stickboy!

PBJ

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/s...0,555194.story

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/co...ry/848048.html

I'm disappointed that Spikes isn't coming out....but it'd be cool if we have a shot at him next year.

Percy Harvin is a stud. I can see big things out of him in the NFL.

First of all, the comparisons to Aikman are moronic. I don't care who made them. Aikman was a more muscular athlete who had played a pro style offense at UCLA. I don't give a shit how Bradford throws the deep ball...he has to learn how to take the snap from center, the 3,5,7 step drops, and how to deal with NFL defensive pressure. It's a fair criticism. Bradford has never done particularly well under pressure. As for the spread and the shotgun, before folks say that these QBs can be converted in the NFL, just take a long look at Alex Smith.

Bradford is very accurate...almost freakishly so. However, I wouldn't spend a top five in the first round pick on him. He may be able to make the pro style conversion, but who knows? KC has significant needs across the board. You have to get a sure thing up there.

Bradford runs an offense similiar to the Steelers, which is obviously a pro-style offense. Also, Aikman PLAYED at OU before he went to UCLA, let's not pretend he was playing in some pro-style offense for years upon years, during the Switzer days. Accuracy will always be more coveted than arm strength, always. You might also pay attention to how quick Bradford releases the ball and that's a better indicator on how he should fair in the pros.

LINK

Tebow to Gators: 'Let's Do It Again'
Posted 8 hours, 27 minutes ago in US, Sports

(Newser) – Gator Nation has two reasons to celebrate. One is the University of Florida's national championship win. The other is star quarterback Tim Tebow's return next year, reports the Gainsville Sun. Tebow broke the news to a crowd of 42,000 at the Swamp yesterday, initially making what sounded ominously like a farewell speech before announcing: "I'm coming back!" Tebow had been considering skipping senior year to play for the NFL.

"I love Gator nation, I love you all. Thank you so much. I appreciate you so much," Tebow told the crowd. "One more thing," he screamed as the fans rose to their feet. "Let's do it again!"
Source: Gainesville Sun

That's right Sammy, the NFL sucks and you don't want to be there. Good Llama; have some grain and an apple.

Back to class now, run along!

He's going to be the next Jim Bakker / Robert Tilton.

That mic in his hand, and the PTL comments just LEAP off the screen. He has a great, swindlish, future ahead of him.

You prove more and more each day, how much of an annoying close minded dumb ****, you really are.

Yeah, actual observation of play NEVER factored in to the equation.

Do suck my balls.

Now he's gotta' go back! Back! Back to School Again!

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Cause his play sucked so bad...........keep reaching dipshit

Espn- Erin Andrews reports Tim Tebow had surgery on his right shoulder Mon. to remove bone spurs

Mmm...yeah, no.

Define "deer in headlights":

Sam Bradford wandering off to some weird zone on the field as a Gator pass-rush keeps coming again and again and again.

I know that when MY QB for the Chiefs rolls out, I definitely want him to travel in a diagonal to the sideline, and please go 5 to 10 yards backwards while doing so.
But it's not his fault, right? I mean come on; those Great receivers of his purposefully went full 'SUCK' just in time for the title game, yes?

Who the **** needs to reach when you have eyes in your head? But by all means, run to the store for another box of Stoops Brand Kool-Aid.

He didn't play bad

If Tebow stayed in the pocket more and worked on his passing this year he could develop nicely.