Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
As someone who manages the biggest resource on all things Tebow, that question crystallizes fans' fascination with Tebow: Are we really watching the greatest player of all time, in real time?
Everyone should be quick to say: Let's see where things stand at the end of the season.
But here are the reasons he is in the discussion:
On-field accomplishments: 3 national titles in 4 years? It would establish the "Tebow Dynasty." Tebow and other players have said that an unbeaten season is the benchmark of the team's greatness. (Urban Meyer put the kibosh on the "unbeaten" talk, but not before Tebow put it out there for SN.)
Individual accomplishments: At best, Tebow wins 2 Heismans in 3 years, with a Top 3 finish sandwiched in between. At worst, he leaves with one Heisman but three Top 3 finishes. Don't forget that, off the bench, he was arguably Florida's MVP in the 2006 national title year.
The Tebow mythology: He really IS that good of a guy. The community service. The prison trips. The circumcisions. The charismatic leadership. The competitiveness. The unflappable public speaking skills. And he knows his platform right now is optimized. The off-field stuff drives the legend.
How good an NFL player will Tebow be? For now, who cares? He stayed not because NFL immortality is necessarily in his future, but college football immortality is already here -- you don't walk away from the chance to be "Greatest of All Time" ... at anything.
The potential of this Florida team mirrors the potential place in history of Tebow: Greatest team ever? Greatest player ever? It all comes down to whether Tebow leads this team to a 14-0 national championship season.
Anything less is failure -- and any player who is a contender for "Best Ever" should HAVE to run through such an unforgiving gauntlet -- but if he leads them there, "greatest-ever" immortality is assured.
Vick Watch: I keep saying that tonight is the most anticipated NFL preseason/exhibition game ever, because I can't remember a game with this much intrigue. Maybe Brett Favre with the Jets? No. Maybe Steve Spurrier coaching the Redskins? Eh. Can you think of any that are MORE intriguing?
MLB Talking Points
• Vintage Papi: 2 HR, incl. walkoff.
• NL West: Dodgers cram Rockies.
• AL Wild Card: Rangers crushed in NY. Rays lose, too.
• Defending champs: Phils finally solve Bucs.
• : Andre Ethier (3/4, 2 HR, 3 RBI).
NFL: Mark Sanchez is the Jets' starting QB. You will be overwhelmed by the "Joe Flacco/Matt Ryan" comparisons. The only question is: Unlike those two, what if Sanchez struggles early?
Favre Watch: Team honchos insist that there is no rift among the players about Favre. I'm going to add this, because it's true: "Yet."
Oh, NOW they say it: Investigators were wrong to seize The List, a court says. You know who was even more wrong? Folks who illegally leaked the names on The List. (It might be titillating and it might be sensational, but it was nevertheless illegal and wrong.)
Pitino Scandal, Cont'd: It is chutzpah appropriate for someone who would ask his pregnant mistress to get an abortion that he would, yesterday, invoke the memory of Ted Kennedy -- dead barely 12 hours -- in defending his actions and criticizing the media.
CFB SN Countdown: No. 9 Ohio State, which may have the most talented player in the country (Terrelle Pryor), but may also get hung with two losses (USC, Penn State).
CFB Preview: Big Ten. Who would have thought that the Big Ten title would come down to the Non-Conference Game of the Year -- Ohio State vs. USC? If OSU can beat USC, suddenly the game at Penn State doesn't look that tough; if they lose (particularly like they did last year), it's not their year. (Plus: Check out the conference superlatives.)
Indiana redefines "home game" as "Fed Ex Field in suburban D.C." Advantage: Penn State. (Northwestern fans may remember the ignominious moment back in the early-90s when the team sold a "home game" against Ohio State to the football stadium in Cleveland. Ugh. Relegate Indiana to the MAC. Seriously.
Bryce Brown saga: In an otherwise crappy week for Tennessee that saw the Vols lose a starting WR, they actually got some good news that supremely talented freshman RB Bryce Brown has no eligibility issues with the NCAA. Unfortunately, Jonathan Crompton is still the starting QB.
NBA Offseason: Why should AI take the Grizzlies' offer? Beyond the fact that it may be the only one he will get, he can join an exciting -- if not winning -- Memphis team. Can you imagine a Mayo-Iverson backcourt? Who wouldn't pay to watch that?
Ricky Rubio headed for Spain? No deal yet, Wolves say. I think it is obvious that Rubio will play in Spain the next year or two -- the only question is whether the Wolves are smart enough to dangle Rubio's rights as trade bait for a player who will actually, y'know, help. They will lose leverage as soon as Jonny Flynn has a Rookie-of-the-Year season.
Media: As someone who has always loathed the lack of transparency in the Coaches' Top 25 ballots, I love this idea to force the coaches -- at least at the public schools -- to reveal their ballots. The coaches can get in front of this by simply volunteering to reveal their ballots each week.
The Last Word: RIP, Ted Kennedy, known of course for his life in politics, but -- as a citizen -- an all-star Red Sox fan. (Great column by Christine Brennan about some of the other sports loves of Kennedy's life, like his college football career at Harvard..)
Dan Shanoff writes The Wake-Up Call every weekday morning for SportingNews.com and blogs daily at DanShanoff.com. Got any comments, questions or feedback? Email Dan at shanofftsn-[at]-gmail-[dot]-com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/danshanoff.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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You could only take 2 days off before you getting back on the Tebow schlurp wagon.
by isbtown on Aug 27, 2009 8:30 AM EDT reply actions
You know, isbtown, I would say that YOU are the person who is Tebow-obsessed, since you’re keeping such close track of how many times Dan chooses to discuss Tebow!! Take a chill, why don’t you?
by rbrd on Aug 27, 2009 9:55 AM EDT reply actions
The best college player argument is one that I think is more accurately discussed after the season. I think that based on his current resume he is definitely in the top 5 players in history but to jump him to the top without considering this years season is a bit much.
by sf4d9erfan1 on Aug 27, 2009 10:30 AM EDT reply actions
Cart. Horse.
Dan you are conveniently forgetting the 4 loss 2007 season. If he is the greatest, then why:
1) Hasn’t he led them to an undefeated season?
2) Why did he lose 4 games in 07 (including a loss to Michigan after Carr announced his retirement)?
3) And isn’t it a fact that when at Utah Urban Meyer said that an undefeated Utah should play in the NC ahead of a one loss SEC school? So according to Meyer in 04, FL shouldn’t have even been in the NC last year to begin with.
by MizzouHoops on Aug 27, 2009 10:57 AM EDT reply actions
Kneepads Shanoff is at it again.
by ChiAdam on Aug 27, 2009 12:27 PM EDT reply actions
Relegate Indiana to the MAC — great idea! Then we’ll truly be the Big "10" again. Their now sorry basketball program won’t be missed either.
by robynz1221 on Aug 27, 2009 12:55 PM EDT reply actions
Hey Mizzou,You know what’s frustrating having watched tebow in 07 when they had 4 losses, every single game he lead the team back only to have that defense cough it right up. Don’t blame tebow for those losses. He only had 51 touchdowns that year and became the firsat sophmore to win the Heisman. Then to have fools like you who have no clue about gator football say something as dumb as " what about HIS 4 losses, that’s frustrating.Tell me in your glorious opinion then who is better? Who would have accomplished more than Tebow?NO ONE. Of course none of it matters who is best. To the Gator Nation, he is the Greatest ever, and NO ONE will ever change that opinion!
by phillygator on Aug 27, 2009 12:57 PM EDT reply actions
Unless Tebow starts playing defense or special teams, he’s only going to be dubbed the Greatest Player as a matter of hyperbolic instant history. There are Heisman winners who were far more versitile…as in, playing QB or Tailback, kicker, AND defense. Hell, Charles Woodson was instrumental in Michigan’s success in the late 1990s, won a Heisman as a 2-way player, and has proven through his NFL career that he’s one of the best defensemen to have played professional football.
As far as accomplisments go, he didn’t win the 2006 national championship…that team was led by Chris Leak from season opener to season finale. Tim Tebow is amazing, and to his credit should probably go down as the greatest college QB of all time. But greatest player?! If it weren’t so hard to quantify defense, it’d be a no-brainer to conclude that he isn’t the GOAT.
by BuckeyeXB on Aug 27, 2009 3:38 PM EDT reply actions
It seems that phillygator and Shanoff is willing to give Tebow all the credit when Florida wins so why it’s only fair that Tebow gets the credit when they lose. It comes with the territory. Hence the reason why Marino will never live down the fact that he didn’t win a SuperBowl, it was not his fault the Fins didn’t win one but he still gets the blame.
by mangledaxle on Aug 27, 2009 4:03 PM EDT reply actions
Here we go again. Greatest of all-time? Come on.He didn’t even win the Heisman last year. So let’s review.Year one – He was a back-up!! He didn’t win the National Championship. Chris Leak did.Year two – He won the Heisman, but his team was mediocre.Year three – He had a very good team, but he wasn’t considered the best player in the country. Reporters, little kids, and Gator fans just don’t have any perspective. Tebow is a great player. He’s made some nice plays. You got excited watching him. Just like you did when Reggie Bush played for the last greatest team of all-time, USC. Within five years, there will be another greatest player and greatest team. Grab the reins!
by Sexy Pete on Aug 27, 2009 7:53 PM EDT reply actions
Tebow is definetly 1 of the best for sure… My opinion is; best player career, Barry Sanders… best player 1 game (which happened to be theee biggest game) hands down Vince Young…
by a2buckeye on Aug 27, 2009 10:32 PM EDT reply actions
Pedro:
"Within five years, there will be another greatest player and greatest team."
Promise?
The only reason I ask is that I have been a fan for a lonnnnnnng time, and the last time I heard such accolades in earnest they were being tossed around during the Bo Jackson/Herschel Walker/Earl Campbell era. And they WERE among the best of all time.
Before that we have to go all the way back to O.J. to hear such accolades.
Woodson? Not so much. Bush? Nope. The Rocket? Nah. Dickerson? Puh-leeeze. Stewart Mandel over at S.I. has a good piece quantifying the Tebow effect via fantasy football numbers. Guess where Tebow rates against the best of the last 25 years. No, really… guess. I’m not telling you the answer. Whether you agree with his premise or not, the analysis is illuminating, particularly to contrarians such as Big Ten-leven fans.
Interestingly, the last time I recall hearing about the GOAT defensive player as applied to a collegian, it was in regards to one Wilber Marshall (LB) after he ransacked a USC offense enroute to victory. The USC coaching staff called him that.
Let’s not conveniently forget that Tebow WOULD HAVE won the Heisman last year if a block of voters in a certain section of the country that had a real voting interest had not left him off their ballots entirely.
The cool thing is that we all get to enjoy – or hate (your choice) – him for one more year.
I’m ok with that.
by guardian of the galaxy on Aug 27, 2009 10:44 PM EDT reply actions
Tebow may play against the best defenses, but he plays with the best talent. He thinks he could tare up the Big 12 defenses… Well if he’s not running the spread he wouldn’t be. He can’t pass like those guys, just like they can’t run like him. Tebow is an amazing spread QB.
Kyle Kaepernick put him with Florida and Tebow with Nevada and i think you might be suprised who’s getting all the hype and glory and who’s not. Actually think Kaepernick has a much better chance at becoming starting NFL QB. Ive got a good guess what Tebow’s excuse will be when he’s not playing qb at next level and his ego stroked anymore. Anyone have a guess? A clue is Sundays.
by Woodville Cedars on Aug 28, 2009 12:33 AM EDT reply actions
Guardian, take off the sunglasses. There are Heisman winners who were literally do-it-all players. Tebow is not a do-it-all player…he’s a running QB. Yes, he’s been the most productive QUARTERBACK of all time, which is the way I interpret Mandel’s quantification. That doesn’t make you the greatest FOOTBALL PLAYER of all time.
Tom Harmon, Running Back, Michigan…Heisman Trophy winner…also an accomplished QB and kicker during his career there. Heralded as the best player in Michigan history (which, it’s safe to say, is far more encompassing than Florida’s)
Vic Janowicz, Running Back, Ohio State…Heisman Trophy 1950…also was the punter, place-kicker, and played safety on defense.
Chic Harley, Running Back, Ohio State…Heisman Trophy not invented yet…also was the kicker and played Quarterback…led Ohio State to its first back-to-back conference title wins.
George Gipp, Running Back, Notre Dame…Same era as Chic, no Heisman…also played quarterback and punter.
I’m not saying these players ARE the best of all time. But I am saying that they are legends of the game who did a lot more than just play one position. I do not think you can limit the definition to a QB…perhaps not even the best running quarterback.
by BuckeyeXB on Aug 28, 2009 4:13 AM EDT reply actions
Also…Howard "Hopalong" Cassidy, Running back, Ohio State…Heisman in 1955 in the largest margain up to that point, scored 37 TDs in 36 games…Also played defensive back – NOT ONE PASS WAS COMPLETED ON HIM IN HIS FOUR YEARS AS A STARTER.
A running back who was also a shut-down corner? Offense is only half the battle (Knowing is the other half…and defense…there are 3 halves).
by BuckeyeXB on Aug 28, 2009 4:19 AM EDT reply actions
Wow, I hope he doesn’t lose a game this year….
All this hype of a QB never seems to pan out.
by SailorGabe on Aug 28, 2009 9:17 AM EDT reply actions
What "sunglasses?" I didn’t call him the greatest ever and am not concerned with anyone else’s opinion of his skills or accomplishments. That doesn’t change the fact that people who are paid to opine are suggesting that he might be the best, and that some of them are making solid arguments.
I don’t care where he "ranks" among all-time greats, I’m just happy to watch him play the game.
Yes, he’s been the most productive QUARTERBACK of all time, which is
the way I interpret Mandel’s quantification. That doesn’t make you the
greatest FOOTBALL PLAYER of all time.
You should have read the article. Mandel also compared Herschel Walker’s fantasy numbers to Tebow’s, so it isn’t just about the QB.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/stewart_mandel/08/27/tim-tebow/1.html
Like I said, the cool thing is that we all get to enjoy – or hate (your choice) – him for one more year.
I’m ok with that. Good luck with your season!
by guardian of the galaxy on Aug 28, 2009 7:02 PM EDT reply actions
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