Tim Tebow finally got a chance to answer his critics, and he capped it off by meeting with one of his biggest.
After completing passing drills at Florida’s Pro Scout Day, Tebow stopped for an interview and handshake with ESPN analyst Todd McShay, perhaps the most vocal detractor of his throwing motion.
“I just try to treat everyone like I like to be treated,” Tebow joked.
McShay and others will have less to pick at after Wednesday’s performance, when Tebow showed 75 NFL personnel — including five head coaches and two general managers — a more compact delivery without the oft-criticized looping windup he used in college.
“I think it was a good first step,” McShay said. “He still has a long way to go, and none of it is battle-tested in game experience, but I think if you’re a team seriously considering drafting him, today was positive in that you saw he accepted he has to work on certain areas, he’s been working on them and he’s making strides.”
Tebow said improving his delivery wasn’t a focus during his college career because he was having success and winning games, but he had no problem making adjustments once it was clear he needed to.
And his willingness to change has scored points with NFL coaches and scouts.
“He doesn’t lack in the work ethic department, so whatever needs to be done, he’ll do it,” Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox said. “It’s kind of like my golf game, sometimes I tweak my swing some too. He has great abilities, and I think he showed that today.”
Coaches Eric Mangini (Cleveland Browns), Raheem Morris (Tampa Bay Buccanneers), Tom Coughlin (New York Giants) and Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers) were also on hand, along with Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Gene Smith and Browns President Mike Holmgren.
They watched as former Gators worked out, ran the 40-yard dash and performed positional drills — most notably cornerback Joe Haden, defensive end Carlos Dunlap and linebacker Brandon Spikes.
McShay singled out Haden as the top performer. After the best time he could muster at the NFL Combine was a 4.57, Haden’s athletic ability was called into question.
But on a damp field in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Haden removed the monkey from his back with runs of 4.39 and 4.41 seconds.
“It was a little bit wet, but I was going to run it if it was snowing because I had to get that time down,” he said.
Dunlap also posted an impressive workout, improving his 40 time, bench press and broad jump. The South Carolina native then spent a half hour doing drills with Panthers’ defensive line coach Brian Baker.
Meanwhile, Spikes may have hurt his draft stock, as he failed to post a run better than five seconds.
“It’s tough because he’s a really good football player, and 40 times don’t define the football player, but it’s going to hurt him,” McShay said.
