Tebow mechanics dicussed on Fox broadcast

I was one of many people who, a couple years ago, predicted that Tim Tebow would have to find another position if he was going to have a successful NFL career.

The jury is still out on his long-term prospects but it’s clear watching the Denver-Pittsburgh game on Fox tonight that he’s done a lot of work.

I preface this saying I am no expert on quarterback mechanics. But when he left Florida his throwing motion was put under a microscope. And it was clear even to a mere observer like me that his long, winding motion was going to hinder his chances for success.

His delivery still looks a little clunky, at least to me. But the long windup seems to have improved, at least some. His release appears quicker, again, at least to me.

He botched a short third-down pass to Eddie Royal in the middle of the third quarter that likely would have resulted in a first down. And in the fourth quarter he threw an ugly interception that set the Steelers up with a short field.

But in between, Tebow threw a couple bullets downfield in traffic that resulted in nice gains.

My guess is that he still has quite a ways to go before he’s ready to start in the NFL. I think Denver probably recognized that when they drafted him. Fox analyst Troy Aikman says it’s dangerous taking a guy who has played the position as long as Tebow has and completely reworking his mechanics as the Broncos appear to be doing with Tebow, and that process certainly is going to take time.

But even though this game is against a group of backups it seems as though he may have a better shot at making the transition to NFL quarterback than many originally believed. If he keeps leading drives like a couple of the ones he did in the third quarter, what it looks like won’t matter.