Tebow takes a step back

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By John Colby Roessler

Only one year ago, Tim Tebow was on top of the universe. Florida’s junior quarterback was the most noticeable figure in college football becoming the first quarterback in NCAA history to finish the season with 20 touchdowns rushing and 20 touchdowns passing. The gaudy numbers the then sophomore put up pushed him to become the 2007 Heisman Trophy Winner.

The impressive numbers Tebow put up are not merely centered on touchdowns. In 2007, Tebow finished the season with a 172.47 quarterback rating and 3,286 passing yards finishing 234-for-350. When running the ball, Tebow was just as tough finishing with 895 yards on 210 carries.

Statistics are deceptive, however, and it’s not 2007 anymore. Last season, Tebow was on everyone’s map. When he walked on the field, you knew your team was on high alert. This season, Tebow has become far less noticeable.

Since playing Michigan last year in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, the Gators have had trouble getting any by opposing defenses. Michigan intelligibly came up with a scheme that forced Tebow to become more of a decision-making quarterback.

Tebow has a viable cast of characters around him, receiver Percy Harvin and running backs Ryan Demps and Emmanuel Moody; however, he has an offensive line that has become more than a little suspect.

Last season, Tebow only was sacked 13 times. Already in 2008, he has been sacked seven. This is in part because of inexperience up front but also due to defenses forcing Tebow to make quick decisions and keying in on his targets downfield.

Florida runs a spread offense that has short-to-immediate pass routes. Defenses have forced Tebow to run the ball less and get the ball to his receivers downfield more. Last year, Tebow had a completion percentage of 66.9 and his passing yards-per-attempt was 9.39. This season, Tebow only has a completion percentage of 61.7 and his passing yards-per-attempt is 8.01.

Opposing defenses are suffocating the pocket forcing Tebow to make shorter throws and to scramble more. It also helps that with defenses keying on Florida’s junior quarterback are crowding the line and playing more man coverage against the receivers so that Tebow has little room to roam.

The argument can be made that with the added weapons around Tebow, Florida does not need to use him as much. Tebow still has to get them the ball and with him having to force short passes and neglect the deep routes, not all the weapons are being used. Florida has not had a play for over 50 yards this season.

These deficiencies were especially evident in the Gators last home game against Missisippi two weeks ago. Forcing Tebow to throw the ball more makes opposing defenses focus on the passing game. Tebow did finish with 319 yards passing and a touchdown on 38 attempts, but he also only ran the ball for seven yards on 15 carries.

In short yardage situations, Florida consistently attempts to use Tebow to gain first downs. Florida finished 1-11 on third down against the Rebels in their 31-30 loss in “The Swamp.”

With the Fightin’ Tigers of LSU coming into Florida on October 11, the Gators and Tebow cannot afford to have such predictability in their play calling. LSU’s vaunt defensive line will get to the quarterback against Florida’s inconsistent offensive line which will create trouble for Florida’s Heisman-winning quarterback.

Originally Published: Issue 776 - October 8, 2008

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