Tebow to become a Patriot

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Monday, June 10, 2013

John Rooke, GoLocalWorcester Sports Editor

Get ready for the Tim Tebow circus to pull into Foxboro.

According to several reports, the New England Patriots are expected to sign QB Tim Tebow, and he is expected to be present for the first day of a three-day mini camp in Foxboro beginning Tuesday.

Tebow was released by the New York Jets in late April after failing to displace Mark Sanchez as the starting quarterback. The move will reunite Tebow with his former head coach in Denver, Josh McDaniels, who presently serves as the Patriots' quarterback coach and offensive coordinator. His last start under center, ironically, came in Foxboro at the end of the 2011 season as the Broncos lost a playoff game to New England at Gillette Stadium. While Denver's head coach, McDaniels traded into the first round to select the former Heisman Trophy winner out of Florida in 2010.

Last month, Yahoo! Sports cited an "organizational source" as saying head coach Bill Belichick disliked Tebow as a player and there was "no chance" of him landing in New England. Belichick dismissed the story last week, telling ESPNBoston.com that the report was completely untrue. And apparently, it was untrue. The Patriots announced Monday they have released QB Mike Kafka from the roster, who had been the 3rd quarterback listed behind Tom Brady and Ryan Mallet.

Tebow, who attracts the media like few other sports celebrities in college or professional sports, should come in and fill at least the 3rd QB role, but could also be worked into additional to-be-determined positions as well. Belichick often has spoken with admiration for Tebow's versatility, intelligence and character, as he covets what has been described as tough, smart, versatile football players.

Keep in mind, the Patriots carried only two QB's last season (Brady and Mallett), so Tebow's inclusion on the roster is no shoe-in. For now, however, it looks as if he will certainly be in the center ring as mini camp gets underway.