Bears linebacker Lance Briggs was asked what he sees when he watches Tebow and the Broncos’ read-option offense.
"Scrambler," he replied. "They run a lot. He’s one heck of a football player and we’re going to have to stop that crap."
The Broncos are 6-1 in Tebow’s seven starts and suddenly control their destiny in the AFC West, a surprising surge made more exciting as the second-year quarterback continues to win with fourth-quarter rallies. It’s not a conventional pro-style offense. Tebow attempted just 15 passes last week in a 35-32 victory at Minnesota. He was just 2-for-8 passing in a win over the Chiefs on Nov. 13. The league’s top-ranked rushing offense doesn’t resort to the pass very often.
"It just sucks to lose to a guy who’s not a throwing quarterback," Vikings defensive end Jared Allen told the NFL Network.
In fairness, Tebow completed 10 of 15 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns at the Metrodome, benefiting from some broken coverages.
Briggs said the Broncos use Tebow similar to the way the Panthers used Cam Newton against the Bears in Week 4. The Bears better hope they’re better this time around as Carolina rolled up 543 yards offense on Oct. 2 at Soldier Field. Newton completed 27 of 46 passes for 374 yards and ran for 35 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears’ 34-29 victory.
"Nothing against Tebow," Briggs said. "Cam Newton is a better athlete."
Will Briggs be more disappointed if the Bears come up short against Tebow than he would against an accomplished passer like Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees?
"No, I will be #######’ pissed," Briggs said. "But he’s a competitor. We’re in a position where we can’t lose."
Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli leans on his previous experience as an offensive lineman in college and as an offensive line coach in dissecting the Broncos offense.
"The biggest thing is looks," he said. "All of a sudden it’s a power run, it’s a sprint-out, it’s a screen, it’s an option. So you have to have all your run-pass keys together, and then the thing I’ll emphasize is our speed. That’s what we’re about — angles, speed and sure tackling."
Briggs said the Bears believe they’re equipped to handle the 6-3, 236-pound Tebow. But so did other defenses that wound up losing to the Broncos.
"We’re going to say it this week," Briggs said. "We’re going to say it every week no matter who we are playing or what we are going against. We’re very confident in what we do and what we can do and what we will do."
etroit: 5-2 BT; 1-3 AT.Moral of the story: losing to Tebow has been one of the best things that could happen to NFL teams. Beating Tebow (and especially mocking him) leads to dissapointment, injuries, suspensions, and puts playoff hopes in jeopardy.
that was good stuff there.
