By Mike Beas
Over the past dozen Aprils it’s mattered not if the Indianapolis Colts were fielding a defense softer than Verne Lundquist’s midsection or a blue-jerseyed version of the Steel Curtain. If a player in the NFL Draft could help upgrade an already effective offense, that’s the direction the franchise took.
And with that, ladies and gentlemen, I give you with the 31st selection … Tim Tebow.
OK, I’m crazy. Been called worse, and in the past week, no less. But stay with me while I attempt to defend myself in bullet-point fashion:
• From owner Jim Irsay to the newest member of the night custodial shift, the Indianapolis franchise is built on character personnel, individuals who won’t embarrass the overall product. The deeply spiritual Tebow, who has squeezed more goodwill and selflessness into 22 years than most people could in thrice that amount of time, fits the mold perfectly.
• He can help now. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Tebow is a freak of nature, someone Indy could employ either as an H-back, tight end or quarterback from the stylish Wildcat formation. Great as Peyton Manning is, the offense with a fresh wrinkle or two becomes even more formidable.
• Tebow is a marketer’s dream. Regardless which franchise selects him, No. 15 Tebow jerseys (or whatever number he’ll wear) are going to fly off store hangers months before he suits up for his first preseason game.
• Groom him as Manning’s successor. In a couple of years we’ll know for certain whether Tebow is truly NFL quarterback material. What is there to lose? In case you haven’t noticed, the Jim Sorgi/Curtis Painter backup combination inspires no one.
• It makes the franchise that much more fan friendly. Can you imagine Tebow turning down an autograph request or chance to press the flesh in one of Indiana’s many Colts-crazed communities? Wouldn’t happen.
• He’s known, which isn’t always the case at No. 31. The past five players taken with the 31st pick are a real who’s-that: Beanie Wells, Kenny Phillips, Greg Olsen, Kelly Jennings and Mike Patterson. Heard of Wells because he played at Ohio State and Olsen because he starts at tight end for the Bears. Drawing a blank on the other three.
Tebow’s untraditional throwing mechanics, according to the talking heads, are what will prevent him from being a top 10 selection when the draft takes place April 22-24.
Hey, no one said Tim Tebow was perfect. I just think he would be perfect for the Colts, and vise versa.
• Mike Beas is a freelance writer/columnist and Kokomo native who resides in Carmel. He may be reached by e-mail at mbeas@att.net.
