Tim Tebow, the Florida star who had spent the past few months remaking his throwing motion and trying to convince coaches that he could play quarterback in the N.F.L., avoided the entire scene, staying home in Jacksonville, Fla., with his family.
His fortunes had captivated the run-up to the draft, dividing pundits as few players have before. Would his sterling character and will captivate a coach enough to take on a project in the first round or was Tebow a player begging for a position switch who would tumble down the board?
In the end, neither Bradford nor Tebow had to worry. They both aced their pro days several weeks ago, Bradford proving that his repaired right shoulder was healthy, Tebow that his mechanics were improving.
And on Thursday night, each of them was a first-round pick, Bradford the top selection, as expected, by the St. Louis Rams and Tebow to the Denver Broncos with the 25th pick in the biggest surprise of the first round.
The Broncos were the most active team of the first round, trading four times — two back, and two up — and Coach Josh McDaniels showed a continued brio in his job. Since he became the Broncos’ coach last year, he has traded Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall, and acquired Brady Quinn. And now he has taken on a player who came personally recommended by Florida Coach Urban Meyer, whom McDaniels has known since he was a child.CONTINUE READING...
