NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Vikings execs were in Florida yesterday for Tim-Tebow-Fest Forida's pro day.  While I think that there are a number of guys that worked out yesterday (i.e. Spikes, Hernandez) that are more likely to have Minnesota as a landing spot… people want to know about Tim Tebow.

I loathe writing this article because of the unrest it is sure to cause in the comments section, but at least combining the words "Tebow" and "Vikings" in one article should increase my traffic via Google.

So, here we go.

I think Tim Tebow is a phenomenal human being that will be a very successful NFL quarterback.  I would happily see the Vikings draft him at #30 overall.  If I were a head coach (which I'm not, so I know just as much/little as the next guy) I would love to have him on my team, in my locker room, on my sideline, and leading my starting offense.

Many folks out there, however, would tend to disagree… and that is fine.

All the talking heads, hack bloggers, videos of throwing motions, workout tape, quotes from unnamed sources and scouting reports can tell you everything you want to know about this kid except for one thing… how he'll do at the next level.  Nobody truly knows that, and nobody will for about three to seven years.

Every draft pick in the history of draft picks is a risk… and of all the risks to take I think Tebow is one worth it in the first round.  At least I know that risk is going to work his ass off to be the best he can be for my football team… and I am not sure how many other first round picks can truly have that said about them this year.  Maybe five?  Ten?  Maybe none.

I am not sure what the Vikings interest level is.  One would have to assume that reuniting Tebow with college teammate Percy Harvin is just the type of storyline Zygi Wilf seems to crave.  Childress is an outspoken opponent of hiring quarterbacks with flawed mechanics, however, and may not feel Tebow has truly changed what was a horrid throwing motion.  What  would bringing in a left-handed quarterback do to the makeup of our offensive line… would anyone want to see Loadholt the one charged with protecting the quarterback's blind side?

Questions like these, and thousands more, are what the Vikings are asking themselves each day between now and draft day.

We'll soon know how the Vikings brass answered those questions.

It's definitely too soon to answer the question posed by this article's title, but below is a comparison of the two quarterbacks' stats.

While there is no clear starter, two things are certain.  First, Leinart is the clear favorite going into summer camp.  Second, there will be an open competition because Ken Whisenhunt has consistently stated that Leinart must win his starting job.  This position battle will certainly be the main event this summer at camp.

So before all the speculation and opinions fly, just the facts, Ma'am.

2006

Leinart: 12 games played; 70.8 rating; 214/377; 56.8 % completion; 6.5 yards/completion; 2,547 yards; 11 TDs; 12 INTs

Anderson: 5 games played; 63.1 rating; 66/117; 56.4 % completion; 6.8 yards/completion; 793 yards; 5 TDs; 8 INTs

2007

Leinart: 5 games played; 61.9 rating; 60/112; 53.6 % completion; 5.8 yards/completion; 647 yards; 2 TDs; 4 INTs

Anderson: 16 games played; 82.5 rating; 298/527; 56.5 % completion; 7.2 yards/completion; 3,787; 29 TDs; 19 INTs

2008

Leinart: 4 games played; 80.2 rating; 15/29; 51.7 % completion; 9.1 yards/completion; 264 yards; 1 TD; 1 INT

Anderson: 10 games played; 66.5 rating; 142/283; 50.2 % completion; 5.7 yards/completion; 1,615 yards; 9 TDs; 8 INTs

2009

Leinart: 8 games played; 64.6 rating; 51/77; 66.2 % completion; 5.6 yards/completion; 435 yards; 0 TDs; 3 INTs

Anderson: 8 games played; 42.1 rating; 81/182; 44.5 % completion; 4.9 yards/completion; 888 yards; 3 TDs; 10 INT

Totals

Leinart: 29 games played; 70.8 rating; 340/595; 57.1 % completion; 6.5 yard/completion; 3,893 yards; 14 TDs; 20 INTs

Anderson: 39 games played; 69.7 rating; 587/1109; 52.9 % completion; 6.4 yards/completion; 7,083 yards; 46 TDs; 45 INTs