Former New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow looks to pass during the first half of their game against the Houston Texans at MetLIfe Stadium. Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Tim Tebow.

For football purists, media talking heads, the devoutly religious, evangelists and atheists alike, it’s a name that incites either manic adulation or pure hatred. There is no middle ground when it comes to the enigmatic signal caller.

Tebow has seemingly inhabited one distant side or the other of the cavernous spectrum between Heaven and Hell. Football’s most famous backup recently cleared waivers and is a free agent, able to sign wherever he likes. All of this begs the question; would Tebow fit in Green Bay?

The answer may not be as unfathomable as you might think.

Former New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow (15) waves to fans before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

By now, we’re all intimately familiar with his story. Tebow was a highly-touted prep quarterback who ended up winning the Heisman Trophy while guiding the Florida Gators to a pair of National Championships. Tebow’s seemingly improbable rise from SEC wonder kid, to surprise first round draft pick by the Broncos, to surprise starter midway through the 2011 season captivated the sports world. It was Tebow who famously wore eye black inscribed with biblical verses. It was Tebow praising his Lord and Savior and then his offensive line after games, in that order. And it was Tebow who, following every touchdown or inexplicable set of late-game heroics, would hit the turf, crouched on one knee, head bowed low in deference, in a wildly popular cultural phenomenon that became known simply as “Tebowing.”

During the pre-draft process in 2010 literally every element of his game, from his throwing motion to his release, to his footwork, arm strength and vision came under intense scrutiny from scouts and coaches. His character, including his home-school upbringing, political views, religious beliefs and even his virginity became public spectacle. Given the amount of attention Tebow garnered before he ever played a down in the NFL you’d think he was the second coming.

Or at the very least the next Elway.

Tebowmania ensued as he led an unconventional offense – tripping, regaining his balance, spinning and then pump-faking defenders out of their shoes before tucking the football and racing downfield for a usually game-altering and often game-winning play that simply defied logic. Tebow frequently underperformed (usually in spectacular fashion during the first three and half quarters) during that miraculous run to the AFC West Title. He ultimately then willed the Broncos a playoff win, by throwing a laser that went for an 80-yard touchdown on the first play of overtime against the Steelers. A postseason win is something even current starter and future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning failed to do in his inaugural season in the Mile High City.

In 2012, Tebow was shipped off to quarterback purgatory to suit up for the New York Jets. Many pundits predicted he’d compete and eventually overtake ineffective starter Mark Sanchez. The pundits were half right, with Sanchez underperforming. But it was unknown quarterback Greg McElroy who ended up getting significant playing time, and not Tebow, to close the dismal season for New York.

Tebow was unceremoniously cut by the Jets following the NFL draft recently and he’s now free to pursue a job with any team in the league. Interest appears to be minimal at this early stage and almost guaranteed to be devoid of an opportunity to start. His football career is undeniably at a crossroads. To be sure, Tebow has the intangibles and leadership capability of an elite-level signal caller which masks his obvious mechanical shortcomings.

We know this: the NFL is a passing league. Super Bowls are won on the arms of the golden boy with the cannon arm and devastating good looks. Just ask Aaron Rodgers. And Tom Brady. And even Joe Flacco. Defenses simply don’t outright win championships these days.

So, barely a week after the NFL draft, we’re left to prognosticate about the goings-on back home at 1265 Lombardi Avenue, where Ted Thompson is surely doing his due diligence on the situation. And it could be ideal for both the Packers and the former Gator. Aaron Rodgers is the unquestioned starter in Titletown and with a new mega-contract he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. So there’d be no quarterback controversy like Tebow faced in Denver and New York. A change of scenery would also likely quiet Tebowmania, like a Wisconsin winter snowstorm quells the last vestiges of fall.

Former New York Jets quarterbacks Tim Tebow (15) and Mark Sanchez (6) on the sidelines during the second half of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

With only a handful of local media outlets covering the Packer news beat, Tebow would have a chance to settle in, collect himself and focus on learning how to really play quarterback in an environment where he watches and learns. Green Bay has long been a hotbed of signal caller development, producing NFL-capable players such as Mark Brunell, Ty Detmer, Matt Hasselbeck, Aaron Brooks and recently Matt Flynn.
The Packers also need depth behind Rodgers. Since the departure of Flynn, the backups have proven little. Current number two Graham Harrell fumbled in his only live regular season action a year ago and B.J. Coleman is gifted but extremely raw. Tebow could come in and quarterback through osmosis. Perhaps McCarthy even draws up a few gadget plays somewhere down the line. Financially, the risk would be minimal, with Tebow likely having to take a minimum salary that would include limited, if any, performance escalators given that he’d see little playing time barring a wave of injuries.

Finally, if the Packers were to groom Tebow and he succeeds, then Ted Thompson adeptly demonstrates yet again that he has the best evaluation skills in the game today. At best, the Packers could trade him down the line for a draft pick and at worst he gets cut – no questions asked. Tebow gets his shot to hone the craft he loves. And the Packers add necessary depth in their quest to compete for another Lombardi.

In a town built on championships, the penultimate goal is to bring as many of them home as possible in the coming seasons, during Aaron Rodgers’ prime. Two straight early playoff exits and a lack of proven depth behind our otherworldly superstar field general leads me to believe that bringing Tebow to Titletown makes a whole lot of sense.

Keep Tim Tebow out of Green Bay, please. Send him to Chicago.
Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Everywhere I look this morning, it’s Tim Tebow this, Tim Tebow that – but the good thing is the fact that just about every team associated with his name is saying no.

Though they haven’t been mentioned, I’m certainly hoping nobody – and I mean nobody – is foolish enough to include the Green Bay Packers in any of that discussion. Yes, maybe the Packers need to be concerned about their backup quarterback situation, but anybody with a brain will understand that Tebow is poison.

We’ve seen graduates of the Mike McCarthy’s quarterback university. Aaron Rodgers is one; Matt Flynn is another. There’s no reason why Graham Harrell or B.J. Coleman couldn’t emerge from the shadows – in fact, one of them may have to one of these days.

Remember back when Tebow was forced out of Denver and so much talk swirled about Tebow heading to Green Bay? Aren’t you glad those rumors never came to fruition? I am.

In closing, Mike Florio wrote a piece this morning about what might be next for Tebow and I was amused that among the teams included were the Chicago Bears. Here is what Florio included in his post:

Bears:  In January, a source with direct knowledge of the Tebow dynamics in New York offered a prediction about his future.  “Watch the Bears,” the source said.  And it makes sense.  New Bears coach Marc Trestman helped tutor Tebow before the 2010 draft, and Trestman squatted on Tebow’s CFL rights during Trestman’s time as coach of the Montreal Alouettes.

Now if we can only get Terrell Owens to sign with the Bears, it would be a true three ringed circus – Tebow, T.O., and Cutler. That might even be worth the price of a ticket … or not.

Within the past handful of years, it seems as if the NFL Draft has gained more and more publicity. I think it’s safe enough to say the draft is a bigger deal nowadays than it was just a mere five years ago.

The suspense seems to build with every passing day as fans grow more and more anxious as to who their team will take. For me, this has really begged the question, who REALLY decides who gets drafted and where.

Mock drafts nowadays are easier to find than cheese in Green Bay. It seems as if everyone has their professional opinion as to where prospects will be drafted and why. This is all fine and dandy but to a certain extent I believe we, the media, truly dictate where a fair number of these prospects go.

People like Todd McShay, Mike Mayock, and Mel Kiper Jr. are more popular this time of the year than at any point after the draft is over. I have to say, however, that some of the positions players have been drafted at in the recent past have been because the media has dictated it.

Last year, the buzz was whether or not the Indianapolis Colts would draft Andrew Luck first overall or not? Thinking back on it, did the majority of mocks and media not have the Colts drafting him? There was probably a solid week of indecision from all the experts as to who the Colts would select. In the end, it seemed as if the experts almost had the final say as to Luck was better or more deserving to be first overall than Robert Griffin III.

Does the media dictate where players get drafted?

Some teams and general managers I believe are more prone to what the outside mocksters and experts say than others.

I would even go as far as to say some markets may influence draft strategies as well. One might go as far as to say the New York Jets were pressuerd into drafting Mark Sanchez.

If I remember correctly, Sanchez was not projected to be drafted quite that high, but the New York media seemed to have the Jets conditioned to draft a quarterback regardless of the overall position of their pick.

As much as I don’t want to bring his name up yet again, to say that the Denver Broncos reached when they drafted Tim Tebow where they did is a complete understatement.

And just what really drove the Minnesota Vikings to draft Christian Ponder where they did? Talk about a pick that came completely out of left field and even caught the experts off guard.

“Draft and Develop” has certainly proven successful in Titletown.

While it seems some teams give in to expert opinions of who they should take and where, we should give Ted Thompson credit for his philosophy.

It has been proven to work and in the long run can only benefit the team itself. We should also credit him for being oblivious to what the outsiders say.

He has stuck to his guns with his “best player available” way of thinking and to-date really only has one major flaw in Justin Harrell.

So weigh in Packer Nation. Just how much influence does the media have on teams and who they draft?

Green Bay Packers quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers (12) , B.J. Coleman (9) and Graham Harrell (6) wait to run through a drill during organized team activities at Ray Nitschke Field. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

With Super Bowl XLVII now in the books, all 32 NFL teams are back to 0-0, including the Green Bay Packers. The focus now shifts to how teams will change their makeup for the 2013 season.

For the Green Bay Packers, that means not only addressing their obvious faults (offensive line, running back, inside linebacker) but their less apparent deficiencies as well.

One such deficiency is the backup quarterback position.

When you have a spectacular and sturdy quarterback like Aaron Rodgers, it’s easy to forget just how important a solid backup can be. After taking 51 sacks in 2012 – Rodgers’ second 50-plus sack season in his five years as starter – the possibility of Rodgers being knocked out for a game or more is uncomfortably high.

The Packers have been one of the more responsible teams when it comes to acquiring reliable backup QBs over the last two decades. Aaron Rodgers was once such a backup, as was Matt Flynn. Both demonstrated dynamic ability during their spot duty as backups for the Packers. While expecting another backup of that caliber is probably asking too much, an improvement over the current situation may be warranted.

Currently, the only quarterbacks on the extended roster are Graham Harrell and B.J. Coleman. While Harrell gets undue criticism for the fumbled snap on his first NFL play, he certainly doesn’t intimidate with his physical abilities nor has he shown the ability to minimize bad plays and keep the Packers in a game. That said, he’s a very smart player who with more seasoning could become a Doug Pederson-type backup. B.J. Coleman is essentially the polar opposite. He’s raw, wild, and frankly pretty cocky, but he’s got a plus arm and is very coachable.

Let’s review some possibilities:

Graham Harrell

Stick With Harrell

The status quo is often the least popular choice, yet that doesn’t make it a poor one. Graham Harrell is a heady player who has made strides each year in the Packers system. With a few more improvements, he’ll be a perfectly adequate backup quarterback.

The concern is whether Harrell can take that next step. His arm is not going to get any stronger, nor is he going to become a more mobile passer. There’s a chance this is the peak of Harrell’s ability. The coaches have supported Harrell publically, and while this staff knows how to develop and evaluate quarterbacks, this could just be puffery. We’ll know the truth once we see how many snaps Harrell gets in comparison to B.J. Coleman.

BJ Coleman (9)
Rob Leifheit-USA TODAY Sports

Develop B.J. Coleman

B.J. Coleman has the physical talent and Mike McCarthy has a track record of developing quarterbacks though his QB School.

Coleman will have gone through that program twice when the 2013 regular season kicks off. It’s not inconceivable that he’d be ready for the number two job at that point. After all, Matt Flynn served as the top backup in his rookie year.

While Coleman is still an unknown to us, the coaches have seen him all season on the practice squad. He served as the scout team quarterback, and for the most part the Packers were prepared. Coleman’s development will be an interesting storyline during training camp.

Reacquire Matt Flynn

Matt Flynn
Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

I only bring this up to address how costly and difficult such a move would be. Flynn signed a three-year $19.5 million deal last offseason to start for Seattle. The Seahawks don’t actually need to part with Flynn, as it is estimated they have $18.6 million in cap space.

With an incoming quarterback draft class that is weak at the top, Flynn could once again be a very marketable trade piece. Seattle isn’t going to cut him, nor are they going to give him away. It’s hard to imagine Thompson giving up the required draft pick or picks for a player he let walk a year ago.

Alex Smith
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Sign or Trade for Alex Smith

This is another popular suggestion among Packer fans. Alex Smith was the number one overall pick for a team which employed Mike McCarthy as offensive coordinator. Undoubtedly, McCarthy was part of that selection. Furthermore, Smith just completed his most efficient season to date while being shunned in favor the more physically capable Colin Kaepernick. While Smith could be traded, the team might do him a favor and cut him so he can choose his own destination. This is why I don’t see Smith coming to Green Bay. If the 49ers trade him, it’s unlikely they will do so for what the Packers would be willing to part with. If Smith is cut, he’s not going to go to a team with an established starter, much less a superstar like Aaron Rodgers.

Sign Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow
Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Count me as completely uninterested, or however you describe the lowest possible level of interest. In three years, Tebow has completed less than 50 percent of his passes, quit on his team, and failed to unseat Mark Sanchez as starting quarterback.

That’s a dreadful resume.

While he says all the right things in the press and can be used in some interesting ways (though none of them seem to work as a part-time player), he’s not a capable passer. Green Bay doesn’t have the setup to replicate what Tebow did in 2011 as Denver’s starter.

Look to the Draft

Senior Bowl south squad quarterbacks Tyler Wilson of Arkansas (8) with E.J. Manuel of Florida State (3) and Landry Jones of Oklahoma (14)
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been said that it’s a bad year to be drafting a quarterback. This is both true and false depending on your needs. The top of the quarterback class isn’t close to last year (Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III) or the year before (Cam Newton). However, it’s a much deeper class than normal, and a starting level prospect can be found as late as the middle rounds.

That’s where the Packers could find their backup if they take this approach. A player like Oklahoma’s Landry Jones or  Florida State’s E.J. Manuel need only fall a little for the Packers to swoop in during the fourth round. If that doesn’t happen, quality options like Miami of Ohio’s Zac Dysert could be had in the fifth or later.

One player that Packers fans will be invested in is Vanderbilt’s Jordan Rodgers, Aaron’s little brother. While the stories would write themselves –  writers always put the ME in Media – this probably wouldn’t be a smart direction for the Packers. Jordan doesn’t have NFL ability let alone the athleticism or arm talent of his MVP brother. He’s a seventh round pick at best, but more likely an undrafted free agent. The Packers would be wise to just steer clear of this potential minefield.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton will be sitting at home this fall without a job. Fernando Medina-US PRESSWIRE

I’m sure you’ve seen it blow up on Twitter and Facebook … the news that New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton being slapped with a one year suspension with no pay … OUCH! Top that with the news that his former defensive coordinator, Greg Williams being suspended indefinitely, the team being fined a half-million bucks, general manager Mickey Loomis being been suspended for eight games, Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt being suspended without pay for the first six games of the 2012 season and you’ve got a day that will go down in NFL history.

Many believed NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would come down hard on this punishment, but he shocked everyone with his sledge-hammer.

Not only will this make NFL history, it will most likely go down as the week of the Payton (or is it Peyton?). Either way, the news that Peyton Manning signing with the Denver Broncos, has quickly been overshadowed by the Sean Payton news and the Saints’ punishment in time and dollars. Also making news today, but as a small sidelight to the Saints is the matter of Broncos former starting quarterback taking his Tebow Time to New York City – what better place for his circus?

While the news about Peyton Manning upsetting the NFL’s quarterback apple cart with his announcement of signing Monday was huge, the shocking news about Sean Payton and the Saints is much, much bigger.

Much will be said about this as the league starts to sort through the fallout. It’s going to affect the entire league, not just the Saints.

And you can bet those cigar boxes filled with cash that have been left laying around NFL locker rooms will most certainly find a way to the hidden corners of the facility.

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow (15) gestures during an AFC Divisional playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

According to published reports, the Green Bay Packers‘ interest in Denver Broncos former starting quarterback Tim Tebow is legitimate.

However, given Ted Thompson’s methodical nature, it’s not a deal that is expected to be completed any time soon. That means that if another team comes along and offers a deal the Broncos can’t refuse, most likely the Packers will be left out. Thompson, if interested, will most likely move slowly on this one and given that there has been other work to do on the free agency front (center Jeff Saturday was in Green Bay for a visit and the Packers have reportedly expressed interest in Cincinnati linebacker Manny Lawson), it doesn’t figure that the Tebow issue is at the top of the list.

However, the Packers seemingly need to make some type of move to solidify its quarterback position. While the team has arguably the best quarterback in the league in Aaron Rodgers, the confidence level in automatically moving former third-stringer Graham Harrell to number two is low. With former backup Matt Flynn signing with Seattle last weekend, the position is thin, to say the least.

Many argue that bringing Tebow to Green Bay would only bring his circus along with him.

In my opinion, if there’s a place in the league where the circus could become a minor sideshow, it would be in Green Bay. While Tebow certainly carries with him a media entourage, his place as a second- or even third-stringer would dampen the need to focus on him.

So, would Tebow be a good fit in Green Bay? Well, let’s say he would be a huge project for new quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo and head coach Mike McCarthy. Tebow’s mechanics and lack of accuracy would be significant obstacles to overcome if he were to play in McCarthy’s system. But that’s why professional coaches get the big bucks.

How it all plays out will be interesting to watch and should Tebow land in Green Bay, look for the circus tents to be erected early … but don’t look for them to stick around for long.

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Enjoy …

http://yfrog.com/0w9moqj

Jeff Saturday could be snapping for the Packers next season. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Ok, so the Denver Broncos, because of their Reggie White-sized signing of Peyton Manning, get an A for their grade in free Agency.

The Miami Dolphins – well, they have just flopped and failed, so yeah they get an F

The San Francisco 49ers have landed some big names – Manningham, Moss and possibly Mike Wallace, but their handling of quarterback Alex Smith has this team in purgatory. Yeah they get an incomplete until the Smith situation is resolved. If he comes back to the team, they get a B-minus; if he goes somewhere else, we may have to throw them the big F. Placing all their eggs into the Manning basket was a bad move, pissed off their QB and have so far left them without a starting quarterback. Do you think Jim Harbaugh has placed a call to the Broncos for Tim Tebow?

But let’s get to what we all like to talk about – the Packers.

Free Agency? Free Agency? Did you say Free Agency? Ted Thompson where are you?

Yes, it seems there may be have been some phone calls made, but so far nobody on the other end has been listening.

At least until now … it seems that with the loss of center Scott Wells, the Packers have made an overture to Indianapolis Colts longtime center Jeff Saturday. Though the chances of him signing with Green Bay at this point is remote, but hey, stranger things have happened.

According to some sources, the Packers have a visit set up with Saturday, but nobody seems to know when that will take place. Saturday has also been wooed by the Titans and of course, the Broncos. The beauty of rejoining the battery tandem of Saturday and Manning is appealing, but the Broncos already have a solid offensive line anchored by a talented young center, J.D. Walton.

So, could Saturday be the big fish in the shrinking pond of available free agents that may be hooked onto Ted Thompson’s line?

I hope so. Here is a durable, smart, and passionate player who would not only be a fine addition to the Packers locker room, but a solid fill-in for Wells. If there’s one player that Thompson should focus on before the conclusion of this free agency period, it’s Saturday. Landing an immediate starter through the draft is problematic and filling this hole in the Packers offensive line is one that will require immediate attention.

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And why not? Yes, Aaron Rodgers is this year’s clear-cut Most Valuable Player (with apologies to all our Drew Brees supporters), but Tim Tebow is the story of the year.

Regardless of what happens in New England next week, Tebow has captured the hearts and minds of every National Football League fan – even Lady Gaga, who tweeted that he is the epitome of a champion (minus the expletive).

What more can be said? Well, not much more than what’s already been said … there will be thousands and maybe millions of words written about the Denver Broncos miracle win on the first play of overtime tonight – we’ll let them stand.

More importantly, let’s move on … yes, while everyone will be watching Tebow and Tom Brady next week, let’s not forget that the best team (Packers) and the best player (Aaron Rodgers) will also be hitting the field.

Ready yourself for a different look at football from a guy who is part of a site that really likes to have fun.

Enjoy the ride and the laughs after the jump … and don’t forget to Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Predominantly Orange is the Denver Broncos site managed by editor Kim Constantinesco

Kim Constantinesco, the Denver Broncos blogger with Predominantly Orange, took time out of his busy schedule to answer questions about the Denver Broncos and provide a look at Sunday’s upcoming game.

Here’s what the word is coming from the Mile High City.

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Special to lombardiave.com

South Shore, Lake Tahoe, Nev. – A.J. Hawk turned his baseball cap backward and grabbed a handful of practice balls as he strolled off to begin his third round at the American Century Championship.

“I’m getting pretty low,”  the muscular Green Bay Packer middle linebacker said to a few of the other sports celebrities standing nearby. “Hopefully, I’ll bring them back later.”

Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk pounds the ball on the golf course and the ball carrier on the football field. Douglas Etten photograph

He grabbed his driver on the 425-yard first hole while the other players in the his group –quarterbacks Tim Tebow and Matt Schaub — went with long irons, just hoping to find the fairway on the dogleg right.

“They’re smart. That’s why they’re quarterbacks,” joked the 6’1”, 247-pounder before he blasted his drive over the tall pine trees guarding the right side of the fairway, leaving himself just a 130-yard approach that led to a par.

“I just hit it as hard as I can. I try not to think too much,” said the self-deprecating big man who plays with just one wood (a 10-degree driver) in his bag. “I have issues when I start thinking out there. I just like seeing how far I can hit it. I don’t mess with my clubs, and I don’t practice. I just like to play.” (more…)