Saturday, January 26, 2013
Tebow as an H-back?
By Tom Carpenter
About the only thing we can be relatively certain about when it comes to Tim Tebow is that he will not be the New York Jets' starting quarterback next season. All signs point to Tebow and the Jets parting ways, though, and it remains unclear whether any team will give him a shot at QB in 2013.
With that in mind, ESPN AFC East blogger James Walker considered how Tebow could boost his chances of actually playing a regular role for somebody by switching positions. Walker was skeptical about Tebow working as a tight end, because "Tebow didn't appear too comfortable in his limited time running routes last season with the Jets, and his hands are unknown."
He wouldn't have that same learning curve at running back, though. Keep in mind that Tebow has averaged 5.0 yards per rush as a pro, and Walker notes that Tebow "is a very physical runner when he gets his shoulders square and he has a strong lower body to run through arm tackles. These are Tebow's biggest strengths."
But what about combining rushing and receiving into an H-back role? Walker opines:
James Walker
Pondering position changes for Tim Tebow"If Tebow can't settle on running back or tight end, playing H-back is the next best option. This is a hybrid combination of tailback, fullback and tight end. Tebow's versatility could help him manage all three positions. He runs well enough to play some tailback, he's strong enough to block as a fullback and he's mobile enough to run routes as a tight end. But it would take a very creative offensive coach to use all the strengths Tebow brings to the table. He didn't have that kind of coaching in New York."
