Eagles' Mark Sanchez says Tim Tebow was signed to be a training camp arm

by
Rich Barnes-US PRESSWIRE

The Philadelphia Eagles' signing of Tim Tebow predictably took the football world by storm earlier this week, but the polarizing quarterback is set to face quite the uphill battle when it comes to making the club's final roster.

Speaking with reporters after taking batting practice with the Philadelphia Phillies and some of his Eagles teammates Friday, current backup quarterback Mark Sanchez explained the reasoning behind the signing as he was told by the team.

"He's obviously a great guy, he works hard. And we needed another guy to throw while Sam's (Bradford) still recovering," Sanchez said, according to CSN Philadelphia. "So that's the reason (for the signing), at least as explained to me. We're excited about the upcoming year and I think we have a great group."

Of course, things can change in fairly short order, and Philadelphia's quarterback position is still anything but settled, but the former Denver Broncos first-round pick currently projects as nothing more than the Eagles' fourth-string signal-caller.

Ideally for Tebow, he'll be able to stay on the roster long enough to see action in the preseason, thus having the opportunity to demonstrate some improved ability as a quarterback for other teams around the league.

Either way, as noteworthy of a name as he still is and will long continue to be, it doesn't appear as though Tebow's stay in Philadelphia will be long-term.

The Digest

Philadelphia Eagles sign Tim Tebow

by theScore Staff
Matthew Emmons / USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Tim Tebow may be getting one more shot at an NFL career after signing with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Need to Know

  • The Eagles worked Tebow out last month, and were reportedly interested in signing him if they found a way to trade depth QB Matt Barkley. They haven't, but signed Tebow anyhow.
  • Eagles head coach Chip Kelly endorsed Tebow last month, saying of the much-maligned QB: "I've always been a fan."
  • A glance at Tim Tebow's career timeline reveals one of the more up-and-down career paths in recent memory.

Further Reading

  • The Denver Post's Mike Klis believes Tim Tebow may have a place as a specialist in the City of Brotherly Love: "Ordinarily, I'd say Tebow's chances of claiming an Eagles' season-opening roster spot are remote. But if the league adopts a 2-point conversion enhancement next month, his chances increase." [Denver Post]
  • MMQB's Peter King doesn't think Tebow will be a distraction: "Did you ever hear Bill Belichick or Robert Kraft or Tom Brady talk about Tebow being a distraction in 2013, when Teboe was on that team for the whole of training camp? No. That's because he wasn't one. He was cut because he's not an accurate passer." [MMQB]
  • Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman says the Tebow signing is all about Chip Kelly's giant ego: "The Eagles will downplay this signing, saying Tebow is just a body for the offseason. But this move is more than that for Kelly. What Kelly likes to do is prove conventional wisdom wrong. No one enjoys this more than him." [Bleacher Report]
  • Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirier doesn't believe Tebow can help the Eagles: "We do know that Kelly sees things that most of the rest of us do not. That's good sometimes and awful in others. In this case, it will most likely be harmless and meaningless." [Philadelphia Inquirer]
  • For the Win's Chris Chase gives Kelly and the Eagles some credit for what he considers a low-risk transaction: "The move will be met with derision and contempt. It's another sideshow in Philly, they'll say. What's next, bring (Ron Jaworski) out of retirement? But what, exactly, is the harm? [For The Win]
  • ESPN's Phil Sheridan suggests the Tebow addition might be the final sign that the Eagles aren't planning to draft a QB: "The (Marcus) Mariota speculation won't die until he's holding up another team's jersey on draft night. But the Tebow signing certainly seems like a sign that Kelly doesn't expect to get a deal done." [ESPN]

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