The crazy world of the NFL off season by @Girvana

 

The NBA season is two games away from being over and there are now 80 odd days to go until NFL is on Sundays again (or Mondays NZ time). Even in this so called quiet time of the off season there have been some story lines that still amaze even the most hardcore fan.

Perhaps the strangest decision so far (or maybe the smartest over time) is the decision by the New England Patriots to sign the mercurial and polarising Tim Tebow as a backup Quarterback to Tom Brady.

Tebow was unceremoniously dumped by the New York Jets in May without making any sort of influence to their struggling franchise. Now picked up by one of their divisional rivals their second game of the season versus the Jets on September 12th will be great viewing. Patriots Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniel’s was the person who drafted Tebow out of college during his short, and unsuccessful tenure as head coach of the Denver Broncos, however oddly enough McDaniel’s had been fired before Tebow shot to fame when brought in half way through the next season and played a part in their playoff run. McDaniel’s has the faith that he can turn Tebow into what his college potential showed. Bill Bellichick does have a history of picking up troubled players and turning them into solid NFL performers. Randy Moss was one who benefited under the Patriot Way. Whether Tebow will turn into a major piece in the New England jigsaw will remain to be seen however the circus will continue to follow him.

A penny for their thoughts – from left – Brady, Tebow and McDaniel’s

Meanwhile on the theme of quarterbacks the New York Jets conundrum continues with the public vote of confidence in Mark Sanchez but meanwhile his team drafting highly hyped Geno Smith in the draft – whose stock plummeted heavily pre Draft Day. A Quarterback controversy before a ball is thrown perhaps ?

The Denver Broncos added to the off season dramas by signing Wes Welker from the Patriots in the Wide Receiver position. The outspoken Welker became too much for the Patriots organisation regardless of how consistent he was. His wife’s Facebook post after their loss to the eventual Superbowl Champs, the Baltimore Ravens may have been the last straw. Welker will team up catching passes from Peyton Manning in what could be a lethal combination.

Always think before hitting send !!

The circus pre Tebows signing was the RGIII daily recovery updates (by himself) at early season training about how he will be ready for the opening game after major knee surgery. His every word is hung off and it became slightly more so when his father gave a major interview to the Washington Post proclaiming what game day tactics work best for his son to succeed. All very bizarre.

The under achieving Dallas Cowboys have again come out swinging with their endorsement of Quarterback Tony Romo as a team leader whose record last year was average. This could be the last year for a number in that organisation not helped by the messy way that head coach and offensive guru, Jason Garrett, has apparently handed over play calling to much maligned coordinator, Bill Callahan. Messy in the fact Garrett has not publicly stated this, however according to Callaghan he has.

The San Francisco 49ers are one of the team to beat according to the power rankings and were recipients of the Champion Baltimore Ravens clear out in picking up Anquan Bouldin who’s last touchdown was a masterpiece in their Super Bowl win. A trade between brothers perhaps ?
With 80 days to go the story lines will only get bigger. As they say to the new recruits each season “Welcome to the NFL.”

Hamish Girvan for all your NFL Tweets.