12/21/24
December 19, 2011
Where is Your God Now, Tim Tebow?: The New England Patriots ended the Denver Broncos and quarterback Tim Tebow's string of fourth-quarter comebacks at four, handing them a 41-23 loss. Tebow was 11-of-22 passing for 194 yards and ran for 93 yards rushing on 12 carries, but his counterpart Tom Brady was 23-of-34 for 320 yards, two touchdowns and one rushing score. The Broncos took a 16-7 lead in the second quarter, but gave up 27 unanswered points. In other games, Washington waylaid the New York Giants, Philadelphia finished off the New York Jets and Indy inked its first win of the season.
Sure, Tom Brady's a sinner. We all are. Still, that's no reason for zealots to refer to him as the AntiTebow.
posted by beaverboard at 11:15 PM on December 18, 2011
Tom Brady is a good guy. He had only nice things to say about Tebow--so he shouldn't be laden with that label.
As far as the Packers undefeated season--even though I like them--I gotta say I'm glad--being a Pats fan--I want to keep that honor!
posted by kandylynn at 11:30 PM on December 18, 2011
Apparently all of Tebow's praying could not produce a Broncos victory this time. Of course, three fumbles did not help the cause.
posted by roberts at 06:54 AM on December 19, 2011
Sure, Tom Brady's a sinner. We all are. Still, that's no reason for zealots to refer to him as the AntiTebow.
Oh, but he is, Blanche! And, yay.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:13 AM on December 19, 2011
Is it just me, or is Tim Tebow starting to demonstrate a decent throwing motion?
I can't believe the Broncos fielded a punt returner deep in their territory with seconds remaining in the first half.
posted by rcade at 10:59 AM on December 19, 2011
God is no match for the football god Bill B. In the God vs God match-up at least on the football field. the football god is the one you want on your side.
While a lot of attention has been on Tebow, and the Packers going undefeated, the Pats just wrap up another division title, with an impressive record as quietly as possible.
Actually watching the game I thought ironically, that Tebow is looking much better as a QB. While the game was bad for Denver as a team, they have to be very encouraged with Tebow's play and how it is progressing. That said I always disagree with relying a a QB that runs that much. Whether it is Vick, Newton, Tebow or whoever, in the NFL your QB behaving like a running back, although effective is a recipe for disaster.
posted by Atheist at 11:04 AM on December 19, 2011
Everybody looks good as a QB against the Pats. That game did nothing to change my mind about them getting beat up badly in the playoffs. They might back into the Superbowl (I realize how that sounds), but someone is going to gash them by 20 points before it's over. I'd love to be wrong, but this has been a tough team to watch.
posted by yerfatma at 12:29 PM on December 19, 2011
Is it just me, or is Tim Tebow starting to demonstrate a decent throwing motion?
If the US needs a spare shotputter for the Olympics, yes.
posted by etagloh at 01:10 PM on December 19, 2011
Is it just me, or is Tim Tebow starting to demonstrate a decent throwing motion?
His motion is still way too "long" -- it needs to be more compact, as it just takes too much time for him to get the ball out.
posted by holden at 01:23 PM on December 19, 2011
yerfatma - You may have a point. The Patriot defense has been awful, but then again so has the Packers. Both teams statistically have very low rated defenses, as far as yardage allowed goes. Although the Packers turnover ratio (coincidentally turnovers really helped the Pats this week) have made up for their inability to prevent teams from moving the ball easily.
Considering the saying "defense wins championships", the playoffs should be very interesting and make for some interesting match-ups. I suppose if the saying is true something to consider:
The Steelers, Texans, Ravens and Forty Niners are the number 1,2,3,& 4 top defenses in the league respectively as measured in yards per game average.
The Saints, Patriots and Packers are number 24, 31 & 32 defenses by the same measure, the very bottom of the league but their respective offenses are number 1, 2, and 4.
Of the teams considered the top playoff contenders it seems to be either great offense or great defense nobody really has both.
The best balanced teams seem to be Houston who has both a top ten offense and defense, Pittsburg with a #13 offense and number 1 defense. Other teams that seem well above average in both categories are Atlanta,, Dallas & Detroit.
Just some food for thought as we consider the playoffs and what is the most valuable, offense, defense or balance?
posted by Atheist at 01:43 PM on December 19, 2011
Is it just me, or is Tim Tebow starting to demonstrate a decent throwing motion?
His motion is still way too "long" -- it needs to be more compact, as it just takes too much time for him to get the ball out.
If you go back and look at the pre-season game snaps Tom Brady took as a rookie and even as a second year player, it is stunning how much effort he had to put into throwing the ball. He had to really step into it and dramatically rotate his throwing shoulder forward. It was highly inefficient, exaggerated, and slow. He didn't have pro level arm strength yet (which Tebow does have at this point in his career).
Once Brady started getting coached as the starter in his second year, he began developing into the efficient, stand tall, long ball capable, get the ball out quickly player he is now.
It has been fun to watch that development through the years, and it will be interesting to see if Tebow is likewise able to develop his game in the next few seasons.
posted by beaverboard at 03:57 PM on December 19, 2011
Apparently Jesus was too busy helping the Lions in the 4th this week...
posted by MeatSaber at 04:41 PM on December 19, 2011
Now that was awesome. Whattafinish!
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 05:27 PM on December 19, 2011
There was a play in the Broncos-Pats game where Elvis Dummervil came off the edge unblocked and just blasted Brady who never even saw him. Brady's feet left the ground before his back hit the sod. Best legal hit I've seen in awhile and Brady somehow got right up and seemed no worse for the wear.
posted by tron7 at 05:44 PM on December 19, 2011
God might have created the world in 6 days (He took the 7th off), but Tebow is about 3 years away from becoming a really good QB. If he works hard this off-season and gets good coaching, his throwing motion will improve. The next thing to develop will be accuracy. That's a matter of mechanics, footwork, coaching, and repetition, and it will develop through (again) hard work. The last thing to come will be the ability to scan the field, recognize defenses, and understand where your alternate receivers will be. It all takes time, and I hope that Tebow will not have the excessive media attention and pressure from the Denver fandom that will interfere with his development. The saying is that God helps those who help themselves. I think Tim Tebow, more than most, really understands this and will put in the work.
posted by Howard_T at 05:56 PM on December 19, 2011
The best balanced teams seem to be Houston who has both a top ten offense and defense
Their offense takes a huge hit with Yates at QB and Andre Johnson injured.
On a different note, I thought Janikowski was going to nail that 65 yarder. Thank goodness it was blocked.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 06:27 PM on December 19, 2011
On a different note, I thought Janikowski was going to nail that 65 yarder. Thank goodness it was blocked.
I thought so too, which would have been awesome. Record aside, he's the kicker on my fantasy team.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 06:48 PM on December 19, 2011
On a different note, I thought Janikowski was going to nail that 65 yarder. Thank goodness it was blocked.
Yeah, I'm still waiting for an injury report on Suh's finger...
posted by MeatSaber at 09:24 PM on December 19, 2011
I totally cannot believe that anyone thinks that Tim Tebow honors his religion so he can win football games. He has stated his position clearly on this matter. He does not do that. He has been emphatic on this matter. His display is far more respectful than, the frantic attempts to bring attention to themselves by others. Not that I knock it, fun is fun it is a game, hopefully that is the idea behind most of the bopping around dancing, shaking, dunking, phoneing etc. I am a Lombardi guy on this matter. He has a routine that makes him feel better whats the beef. Howard T you got it pretty much right.
posted by owlabye at 10:24 PM on December 19, 2011
I am always amused when athletes invoke God when they're successful. Makes it all the more fun when they fail.
Like Lewis Hamilton in F1 last year. He claimed it was God saved him from being stuck in a gravel trap in Belgium. Two weeks later he crashed out three corners into the first lap at Monza.
Really wanted SOMEONE to ask "Where's your god now exactly, Lewis?"
posted by Drood at 02:14 AM on December 20, 2011
owlabye: I think the dislike comes from people who are bothered by overly public displays of piety. When someone does what Tebow does, or has the whole aggressive proselytizing mindset, it effectively sends the message "I am better and more holy than you". This might be what these people actually think, but on the whole comes across as less sincere and more about posturing- really the Christian equivalent of "bling". "Look at me, I pray loudly to Jesus, because I am better than you are!" is the basic message I get when I see Tebow or others be so blatant in their religion. Plus, I personally don't trust people who worship god as if it's a tit-for-tat game of "I prayed, now you gotta give me a nice house and fancy car".
This is not to even touch the question, well-tread by comics and philosophers, of why any god worth worshiping would be personally invested in Tebow's success but be content to see children die of starvation, easily treated disease, or sold into physical or sexual slavery.
I'm not breaking new ground by quoting Matthew 6:5-6:
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray in public places to be seen by others But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your heavenly parent, who is unseen."
posted by hincandenza at 02:21 AM on December 20, 2011
I totally cannot believe that anyone thinks that Tim Tebow honors his religion so he can win football games.
I totally cannot believe that anyone in North America still needs to have it explained to them why many people find Tebow's ostentatious piety distasteful. Hasn't it all been said before, rather well (and most recently by hincandenza)?
(on edit: but, if you're a bit literal-minded, rcade's thread title might have gotten you stirred up.)
posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:43 AM on December 20, 2011
rcade's thread title might have gotten you stirred up
True. I was just having some fun with Tebowmania.
posted by rcade at 09:00 AM on December 20, 2011
Did God win the toss and defer to Brady?
posted by jjzucal at 10:03 AM on December 20, 2011
My main concern with Tebowmania:
Someone is gonna start calling Josh McDaniels a genius.
posted by beaverboard at 10:09 AM on December 20, 2011
Plus, I personally don't trust people who worship god as if it's a tit-for-tat game of "I prayed, now you gotta give me a nice house and fancy car".
Despite Tebow praying during field goals and whatnot, I would be surprised if this was actually the case. I grew up in an evangelical Christian church and I've never met a Christian who prayed in this manner. The opposite was taught, don't ask for things, don't bargain.
posted by tron7 at 11:23 AM on December 20, 2011
I see some prosperity gospel Christians down here in Florida and Georgia.
posted by rcade at 11:57 AM on December 20, 2011
The "I worship you according to these rules and you give me a Mercedes Benz" take on things is the sort of easy out that human beings take all the time. People don't like to live with uncertainty; they like to believe that if they follow certain rules, they'll get rewarded; and they really don't like to look around them at people who are suffering and ask themselves, "Hmm, are all these people really that un-virtuous? Or is something else going on here?" So, I think this is a common human error, but as a matter of doctrine, I'd guess it's quite rare. There's actually a quite wide range of beliefs/attitudes that all self-identify as evangelical Christianity. For one thing, "evangelical" is not the same as "fundamentalist". For another, position on the political spectrum isn't a given either. The so-called "prosperity gospel" is a pretty small piece of the picture, crazy enough to catch the eye, but not truly representative.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 12:36 PM on December 20, 2011
Funny how Tebow got all the credit during the win streak but isn't getting much blame for the loss.
posted by kirkaracha at 02:19 PM on December 21, 2011
Yeah, it's wierd. I was assuming the Broncos would never lose again. Please.
The Patriots controlled play most of the game, and watching it I had feelings a few times that the Denver offense was never going to see the field.
I'm actually glad New England won the game. Hopefully this will allow many to pull back a bit from their outrage and not be so threatened by Tebow's personality, beliefs, and how he displays them. He'd be accepted more in the football realm if he ran someone down in a moving vehicle while under the influence.
posted by dyams at 04:17 PM on December 21, 2011
He'd be accepted more in the football realm if he ran someone down in a moving vehicle while under the influence.
The Bengals already have a quarterback.
Shit, now I'm doing it, too.
posted by tahoemoj at 05:30 PM on December 21, 2011
After watching the Jets defense look less effective than a wet paper bag, I was really hoping the Patriots would get Tebowed.
Gosh darn, I hate football.
posted by MrFrisby at 09:48 PM on December 21, 2011
The NFL.com highlights package for the Pats-Broncos says "Fnd out what happens when a monkey rides on a dog!"
I'm not sure if that's a euphemism for the Bronco offence, or for a video of Rob Gronkowski carrying Wes Welker.