Is the NFL Prototypical Quarterback Perspective Changing?

We’ve all heard about the NFL’s “prototypes” when it comes to the quarterback position. The want for a Tom Brady or a Peyton Manning clone is something all teams strive for. What about the Tim Tebow clones of the world?

Tim Tebow is far from your prototypical NFL quarterback. His mechanics aren’t pretty and we see his inaccuracy every week. However, he’s doing what the other great quarterbacks in the game do best: winning.

Here are some statistics that you may find interesting:

First Quarter: 14-of-29, 171 yards, 48.3% completion, 1 touchdown, 1 interception, 14 rushes 82 yards, 1 touchdown

Second Quarter: 14-of-42, 107 yards, 33.3% completion, 1 touchdown, 0 Interceptions, 21 rushes, 115 yards, 0 touchdowns

Third Quarter: 15-of-40, 242 yards, 37.5% completion, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 18 rushes, 104 yards, 0 touchdowns

Fourth Quarter: 49-of-80, 732 yards, 61.3% completion, 6 touchdowns, 1 interception, 33 rushes, 193 yards, 2 touchdowns

Despite looking lost and confused for most of the game, the Denver Broncos trust Tebow to do what he does best in the fourth quarter. His stats and play dramatically increase when it matters most. It helps that the Broncos’ defense keeps the team in a good position to win and Matt Prater has been money when it comes to late game field goals, but it’s undeniable that Tebow plays significantly better when the game is on the line.

For the first 20 attempts of a game on the season, Tebow has completed just 43% of his passes, a very mediocre number. As the game progresses though, through the 21-40 attempts of the game, Tebow completes 65.9% of his passes.

Through the awkward throwing motion and mechanics issues, Tebow still finds a way to increase his accuracy at the end of games. He’s put the Broncos on his back, leading them to seven wins in their last eight games after starting off the season 1-4 behind Kyle Orton.

His presence alone has completely lifted the team, proving to Tebow’s leadership abilities. The offense he is operating has been tailored to make him more comfortable, including quick reads and options.

Perhaps one of the most interesting stats since Tebow started has been the increase in the rushing game. During the five games before Tebow took over as starter, the Broncos were averaging 101.8 yards per game rushing. Since then, Denver has skyrocketed to first in the league in rushing yards per game at 156.2.

A lot of that comes from the pressure that the presence of Tebow takes from the other runners. It’s an offense that you would expect to see more at the college level rather than the professional level. However, it’s working.

We’ve seen college teams use certain packages made specifically for players like Tebow. Take the Oklahoma Sooners for example. While Landry Jones is the big pocket passing starter, there is a package tailored to fit backup freshman quarterback Blake Bell, or known to his teammates as “The Bell-dozer”. His main objective when he enters the game is to move the ball on the ground with his 6’6”, 245 lbs. frame and that’s what he has done. He rushed the ball 34 times for 120 times this season, but the big number was his 10 rushing touchdowns.

Players like Cam Newton, Tim Tebow, and Michael Vick are continuously paving the way for the dual-threat quarterback like Bell or Robert Griffin III.

Can these styles of players change the idea of what the NFL’s prototypical quarterback is? Can the traditional pocket passer be bypassed by the more athletic quarterback?
By: Brandon Williams