Alligator Army: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:



Around SBN: Kevin Duckworth, Dead, at 44 Bar-right-arrows



Tebow vs. Stafford

Believe it or not, there are people who were not convinced by Tim Tebow's tremendous 2007 season. The release of the coaches' preseason All-SEC team, was not surprising other than Tebow not being unanimous first team selection. Coaches cannot vote for their own players, so at least one coach thought Georgia's Matt Stafford was better.

If you want to believe Stafford is better than Tebow, be my guest. But I have a problem when I see these arguments. From ESPN.com's Chris Low;

Georgia's Matthew Stafford was the other quarterback to receive a first-team vote, and I'm one of those who thinks that Stafford is better than his numbers have shown the first two years. Eventually, that will bear itself out in the NFL draft.

But there's only one first-team quarterback in the SEC, and he's the guy who's built like a fullback and the same guy who became the first player in NCAA history last year to rush for at least 20 touchdowns and pass for at least 20 touchdowns in the same season.

You see what he did there? "Oh! Stafford's numbers are no where near Tebow but he's a pro quarterback! Oooh, what a pretty ball he throws! I mean, I can't prove it now, just wait two more seasons!" (Ok, that wasn't exactly what he meant, but you get it.) Not only does Low take the position that statistics lie, but that the measurement of a college QB is where he is picked in the NFL. Does that mean the national titles of Danny Wuerffel, Ken Dorsey or Chris Leak are cheapened because they were not successful NFL QBs? If Stafford ends up being a great NFL QB and Tebow ends up saving babies in the Philippines, does Stafford's college accomplishments beat Tebow's?

That story is yet to be written. But my problem is with the second paragraph. Low like dozens of scouts that salivate over big arms like Jeff George or Sexy Rexy Grossman, sees Tebow as a "run first" quarterback. The entire paragraph reads like a backhanded compliment, as if it's amazing someone of Tebow's size can throw the ball.

It's a bit unfair to compare Tebow to Stafford because Tebow does not have running backs like Brown and Moreno (more offensive options) and Stafford does not have receivers like UF (less options to catch). However, Tebow only had two more pass attempts than the Bulldog (350 to 348).

Tebow's 2007 stats: 234-350 (66.9%), 3286 yds, 32TD-6INT, 172.47 rating.

Stafford's 2007 stats: 194-348 (55.7%), 2523 yds, 19TD-10INT, 128.92 rating.

Like I said, Stafford may end up a better college QB anyway. But to use the argument that a player is better now because he looks like a quarterback or he throws a good ball is illogical. Winning matters then numbers. I am defensive when it comes to this line of argument against Tebow. But if people don't see how far Tebow came in throwing the ball last season (his deep touch was unbelievable), they are watching a different game or have their heads so far up their rear ends that they are missing the College Quarterback of the Future.  

0 recs | Comment 7 comments

Read Related

Story-email Email | Print |

Comments

Display:

This is a ridiculous comparison

I live in Atlanta, so I hear this bunk all the time. In fact, before last season, I was so confident that Tebow would excel (or perhaps moer confident that Stafford is overrated) that I bet a UGA fan who parks next to me at the Falcons games that Tebow’s 2007 season would be better than Stafford. Needless to say, he conceded somewhere around mid-season.

Tebow is a better quarterback. Period. There is no use comparing the numbers because they are a joke. UGA’s strong running game opens things up for Stafford, yet he still cannot put up big numbers. Tebow has to create his own running game, allowing defenses to all key on #15. It doesn’t help.

The only thing in your post I don’t agree with is your statement that “Stafford may end up a better QB anyway.” I don’t think this is possible even if Stafford has a blow up year. Both QBs are likely done after this season. Stafford is alerady down an SEC championship, national title and Heisman. That’s a lot to ask of a guy who’s offense centers around a running back. Plus, UGA is touting Caleb King as a superstar who will share carried with Marino. There isn’t enough footballs to supply 2 star RBs and a QB!

by skigator93 on Jul 22, 2008 3:17 PM EDT   0 recs

That Stafford line is so I don’t jinx Tebow. But remember, if a mental midget like Matt Leinart can win a Heisman and national title, anything can happen. As for who is done after this season, I think Tebow is following the Danny Wuerffel model. Nothing to worry about there.
/knocks on wood

mlmintampa
UF C/O 06

by mlmintampa on Jul 22, 2008 3:41 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

both done

I really don’t see Tebow leaving after this year. his family doesn’t need the money, and he seems to really like being in school. additionally, he has repeatedly said he will be at UF for 4 years, and i’m pretty sure jesus would smack him if he is lying.

by abeaugh on Jul 23, 2008 2:32 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

True his family is not poor, but think how many more people he could help using NFL millions?!

by skigator93 on Jul 23, 2008 3:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Stafford

If you need some backup, I have some more detailed numbers on Stafford and Tebow. This includes a comparison of production versus expected against the defenses they played and a season split (first half and second half) for Stafford since second half Georgia was a lot better than first half Georgia.

If you just look the ratios that take out the difference in attempts per game (yards per attempt, yards per completion, TD percentage, and INT percentage), you end up with Tebow > Second Half Stafford > First Half Stafford. Second Half Stafford was better than First Half Stafford in everything but TD pct, which doubled.

by Year2 on Jul 22, 2008 7:47 PM EDT   0 recs

Tebow...

is freaking awesome. Stafford has been pretty average. I don’t even know why this is a topic of debate. Tebow won the freaking Heisman. Stafford only completed 55% of his passes. Game over.

by LSU Jonno on Jul 22, 2008 8:52 PM EDT   0 recs

Touchy

I don’t see what y’all are complaining about. Low praised Tebow and placed Tebow, not Stafford, on his own first-team All-SEC ballot—yet you’re still griping about “backhanded compliments” that, as far as I can tell, aren’t backhanded at all.

Look, Tebow’s a great quarterback and, as far as anyone can tell, a great person to boot. I’m a UGA grad and I can’t even find anything bad to say about the kid. But just because someone dares mention Stafford in the same breath as Tebow doesn’t mean they’re launching insults.

by Doug G. on Jul 28, 2008 5:31 PM EDT   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about Florida Gators.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Small
GATORS RANKED #1 AGAIN!
Small
The Blind Side and the Bell Curve
Galagaship_small
Welcome to the new Alligator Army and SB Nation
Small
Wuerffel to host Jacksonville luncheon on May 15, 2008
Small
Exciting New Football Team in Florida
Rockmnation_small
TDs: The Runs Batted In of College Football Statistics (Part Two)
Rockmnation_small
TDs: The Runs Batted In of College Football Statistics (Part One)
Small
He15man History
Small
Tebow Called Out!
Small
Why the Noles will win today

Post_icon New FanPost All FanPosts Carrot-mini


Site Meter