Jon Gruden Says Tim Tebow is a First-Round Talent

Jon Gruden has looked at Tim Tebow‘s mechanics, worked with him in the film room and spent time basking in the glow of his faultless character…and concluded that he is worthy of being taken in the first round of the NFL draft.

“Somebody with a down-the-road philosophy or vision for him will take him, and take him earlier than some people expect,” predicted the noted quarterback guru.

Gruden reserved special praise for Tebow’s attitude, saying, “Tim’s transition to more of a conventional NFL style has drawn a lot of questions from people, whether he can make the modifications in his passing delivery and adapt to playing under center…What I’m really impressed with is the way he sits on the edge of his chair and his work ethic and relentlessness to become great is really second to nobody.”

Added Gruden, “I think his commitment to what he believes in is real. It doesn’t waver.”

Unfortunately for Tebow, Gruden works at ESPN, not in the front office of some NFL team with a pick in the latter part of the first round.

The conventional wisdom is that Tebow, if he is taken, will go some place in the second round, and may never make it on the field as a quarterback (that’s what Jerry Jones thinks, at least).

However, in recent weeks, at least one man in a position to actually draft Tebow has praised him in terms nearly as glowing as Gruden’s.

“I just think he’s the ultimate competitor,” said this NFL head coach.

On another occasion, the same coach expressed confidence that Tebow will indeed be able to improve his oft-discussed slow delivery.

“Aaron Rodgers was a complete re-do in his throwing motion from Cal, where people didn’t like his stroke and how the ball came out,” he said. “And he’s doing fine. Can it be done? It can be done. It’s just a matter of if you as a coach and you as a coaching staff feel like you can fix it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It only takes one person to like him, and they’re going to do everything in their power to make it right.”

Whether this coach, known for his unorthodox headset and occasional cross-dressing tendencies, loves Tebow enough to actually pull the trigger come draft day…we’ll just have to wait and see.