Tim Tebow vs Cam Newton

          I honestly do not think this is even a reasonable debate, but due to the overwhelming popularity of Tim Tebow, and the comparisons I've seen lately I feel obligated to atleast try to draw a comparison between the two. Lets start off comparing stats.


Cam Newton: GP   CMP  ATT    CMP%    YDS       AVG   TD   LONG   INT   FUM   RAT:
                        13    270     452      59.7     3,573     7.91   15      77        16        3     81.1



Tim Tebow GP   CMP   ATT   CMP%   YDS      AVG   TD   LONG   INT     FUM   RAT:
                    11      96      198     48.5    1,290   6.52   11        56       2         4      83.9

          As far as rushing goes Tebow has 517 yards with 3 TDs 4 fumbles, and an average of 5.5, as opposed to Newton who has 554 yards on 107 attempts with a QB record breaking mark of 13 TDs, and 2 fumbles.


           Now we have to, unfortunately, enter the "common sense" portion of this blog entry, and that's the obvious reasoning that Tebow fails in comparison to Newton in pure passing ability. Yes, you can argue that Tebow has 11 TDs, with only 2 INTs, but that's based alot in part to John Fox's run control offense. I am very familiar with Fox, as he was the coach of Carolina for years. In my opinion Fox, and Tebow are a match made in heaven. Tebow does indeed get a ton of the credit for his 4th quarter heroics, and most of it is well deserved, but what some people fail to recognize is that John Fox deserves most of the credit. His game plan revolves around a ball control style offense, where you do not commit turnovers, and you win the game with defense, and special teams. One can say that the Broncos defense is just ranked 19th in the NFL statistically, but over the past 6-7 games the defense has been one of the best in the league making the numbers somewhat skewed. Tebows completion percentage is "poor", and thats being nice. What alot of people need to realize is that it is only a matter of time before defensive coordinators catch up to Tebow, and the schematics of which Fox is currently running his offense. Tebow does have tons of intangibles, and I think he very well could be a decent starter in this league for a while, but the MVP talk, and ESPN asking ridiculous questions such as " Who would you rather have? Tom Brady, or Tim Tebow?" is just ludicrous.


Newton does have a significant amount of interceptions more than Tebow, but that is solely based on the fact that he runs a pass happy offense where Rob Chudzinski has basically put the ball into the rookies hands, and told him to toss the pigskin all over the field. This type of offense has perturbed some Carolina fans, as when you have two talented RBs in Deangelo Williams, and Jonathan Stewart common logic would suggest that you run the ball more with them than Carolina currently does, but as John Fox would say " it is what it is ". In Tebows defense Denver did trade away his primary receivers in Brandon Lloyd to the Rams, which was a head scratcher to me.


          As far as ability to run the ball they are both outstanding. Neither possesses the speed of a Michael Vick, but both are built like tanks, and can withstand punishment. Newton has a QB record of 13 rushing TD's, but it isn't as if he is running all over the field. Alot, or most of those have been on the goal line while using the shotgun formation. Its still a rather impressive feat, though. So in regards to pure rushing ability Ill have to give it a draw.


When asked about Tim Tebow, and Cam Newton earlier in the week outspoken wide receiver told the Charlotte Observer the following "You can't compare Cam to Tebow. I think Cam's a more complete player," Smith told The Charlotte Observer on Thursday. "Tebow has the wins. But everybody wants to crown Tebow. Yes, he has the will to win. I think Tebow is no different than any other professional. But Tebow has a great opportunity to play behind a great defense."


          Basically I don't really find any kind of comparisons between the two other than they are elite rushers for their position. One can pass the ball, and one cant. I find it rather odd that when Tebow has a 200 yard passing day that people get excited, that's cause for concern in my book. One can also state that another difference between the two is that one wins, and one doesn't. I find this to be a silly argument, as Newton cant play both sides of the ball, unfortunately. Newton is leading the 5th ranked offense in the league as far as total yards go, while Tebow is leading the 23rd ranked offense. Ill say the same thing I said when I compared Andy Dalton to Newton. If you give Newton a defense like Denver, or Cincinnati than Carolina would be right in the playoff picture.