Tim Tebow: Stay Or Go?

I think he’ll stay.

What he should do is up to him. Outside of his parents, everybody else should stay out of it. One thing I’m sure of: Tim Tebow will do the right thing.

Speculation as to whether Tim would spend four years at the University of Florida started the day he announced he was going to be a Gator. And the rumors have been rampant since then. “His Dad has a plan,” or “Tim promised he’d stay four years,” got going right away. Honestly, I don’t think the Tebow’s know at this point.

“We haven’t talked about it,” his father, Bob, told me on Thursday. “Right now we have a game to play (the BCS title game against Oklahoma) but we’ll sit down next week.”

I believe that.

The only time Tim talks about it is when the media asks, and then he doesn’t say much. “I can’t imagine going there (to the Florida campus) and telling them I’m not coming back,” Tebow admitted after the game on Thursday. “I love Florida, I love being a Gator.” All that aside, it’ll be a very thorough process, figuring out what will be best for Tim, not only in his career but in his life.

“I promise Tim will be very well informed,” Urban Meyer said in his press conference on Friday when asked about the decision making process when it comes to professional football. “I’ll put him on the phone with people I trust so he’ll know where he stands,” Meyer allowed.

He included Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio among those he’ll get an opinion from. “I have great respect for him and he’s opened up his program to us, so I’ll get Tim on the phone with him.”

Everybody who reports on the NFL has an opinion about Tebow’s ability or where he’ll be drafted. Better footwork, stronger arm, better decision making, whatever. All of those things have been said about Tim’s quarterbacking skills. Some parts of those might even be true. But historically, Tebow has accomplished everything asked of him.

If some team didn’t like his arm or footwork or whatever, all they’d have to do is ask, and he’d fix it, right away. Better footwork, stronger arm? No problem. Decision-making? He’ll spend hours in the film room. One thing that can’t be quantified is his leadership. He did it in high school and again in college, dragging his team, and the fans along with him to an emotional peak. Not everybody can do that.

So where will he be drafted?

Most list him as a late second, early third rounder. That would be the bargain of the century, and if that’s what the Tebow’s hear, he’s definitely coming back for his senior year. There’s only one reason Tim would come out early and that’s money. No doubt his salary will go to his father’s ministry but it’d be silly to come out as a third round pick with limited up front money available. If that’s the case, he’ll stick around and try to win another National Championship and another Heisman.

Possible?

Florida loses nobody on defense and four starters on offense. “I’m not as worried as I was two years ago,” Meyer admitted when he was asked about guys turning pro. “We’re better and have built a program.” The only irreplaceable guy is Percy Harvin and of course, Tim Tebow.

When I talked with Bob Tebow in Thursday, we were semi-joking about Tim’s “star power” when it comes to selling tickets. If the Jaguars drafted him would they sell more tickets? Absolutely. Even not as the starter.

I was also talking the Suns owner Peter Bragan Jr. on Thursday and he wondered if Tim might want to play baseball for the summer. “He can wear a Suns uniform all season,” Pedro noted. “Hitting a baseball is Tim’s best athletic talent,” his Dad noted with a smile when I told him about the Suns offer.

Think that would sell tickets?