Meyer talks Tebow on ESPN; Tebow opens up

By Adam Silverstein
August 4, 2011

Former Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer, now a college football analyst on ESPN, was asked on SportsCenter Thursday evening if he had any problem with NFL analyst Merril Hoge’s criticisms of his former player and now Denver Broncos second-year quarterback Tim Tebow. Meyer agreed that Hoge had every right to criticize him but did note that the analyst’s was relatively “harsh.” He also said that he believes part of the reason so much vitriol is thrown at Tebow is because of the immense success he has achieved and the non-stop coverage of him at every level of his career.

Tebow, who was interviewed by Denver Post columnist Woody Paige on Wednesday, expressed angst and uncertainty about his role on the team going forward this year. Below are excerpts from the one-on-one interview, which can be read in its entirety as a feature story in the Denver Post by clicking here.

On Orton not being traded: “My dream, since I was a young boy, of being a starting quarterback in the NFL seemed to be coming true. Then, I felt like it was grabbed back away.”

On if learning of the change affected him: “I didn’t have a good day on the field (last) Saturday, but I think in the other practices I’ve thrown well and improved each day.”

On blocking out the critics: “I’m trying to insulate myself from what people in the media are saying, but I’ve seen some of it, and it hurts because it’s coming from people who haven’t seen me practice, haven’t seen me play, haven’t seen what I can do. I did an interview the other day with someone on the NFL Network who said last year I’d never play a down in the NFL. He was wrong. Others who say I won’t make it are wrong. They don’t know what I’m capable of and what’s inside me. My family and my friends have been bothered by what’s gone on, and I tell them to pay no attention to it.

“I’m relying as always on my faith. I’ll always use the negativity as more motivation to work even harder and become even stronger. I’ll practice as good as I can, but I know that I play even better, with the qualities I have — leadership, my ability to make something happen in games, winning. And I know there are a lot of people who believe in me as a player and a person, and I don’t want to let them down.”

9 Comments

  1. gator says:

    Hey Merril, eat a Gator Turd!

  2. Basshole says:

    “College credentials do not transfer to NFL raw raw speeches do not work! You must poses a skill set to play! Tebow struggle with accuracy!”

    And Tebow’s play is “embarrassing”? I would say your grammar is what is embarrassing, buddy. How exactly do you poses a skill set? And how do you give “raw raw” speech?

  3. George says:

    All this criticism coming from (Merril Hoge) a 10th round pick in the NFL. A guy who’s NFL career was “awful”. 8 seasons, 3100 yds, 21 TDs & 22 fumbles. He never won anything in college @ the powerhouse Idaho State. This guy is a talking head with no room to talk! What a joke!

  4. John S says:

    With so much going on in the league right now, why would “NFL experts” care so much about him? Denver is rebuilding and barely relevant. You have a number 1 all around pick who’s has even greater question marks with personal baggage and he’s rarely brought up.

    I get the feeling that a lot of this is based on an Inferiority Complex, not with regard to his football ability, but his personality.

  5. Drew 4 Orange & Blue says:

    Hoge has a right to his opinion and he is knowlegable despite his career…that being said QB success in the NFL is just one of those things that is a crap shoot….ever watch Brady’s documentary on how his on college coach didn’t believe in him even after he had success…then the NFL scouts had no interest in him….and this guy will be in the Hall of Fame….as Gator fans we all want Tebow to start and be the best QB in the NFL….we just all need to be patient….I do find Lebron defending Timmy T very interesting and peculiar

  6. g8ter27 says:

    Adam,

    What do you think our chances are with Humphries tonight?

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