Tim Tebow Q&A

Last week, we posted an interview with Sam Bradford. Today, we've got Tim Tebow. Tebow's illustrious college career includes two national titles, a Heisman trophy and a career record of 48-7. Even with all of that success, pro scouts have doubts about his ability to transition to the NFL - and that's just how Tebow likes it. I got a chance to talk with Tebow while he was wokring out with Gatorade last week in Miami. Keep reading to see how he's preparing for the April NFL draft.

What’s your workout schedule been like since the season ended?
It’s been intense. I’ve been training six days a week and trying to recover on Sunday, just trying to improve myself as much as I can. For the most part, I’ve been working out in D1 [Sports Performance] in Nashville, TN. It’s really a great opportunity to train and work and limit distractions.

How much do you work on strength versus football?
It’s a mixture. I’m training speed, I’m training strength, I’m training endurance, but I’m also doing a lot of fundamental work. A lot of drop work, a lot of different things with my motion – trying to compact it. Also football on the board, talking ball, just working. There’s nothing else I’d rather do than just be on the grind and work and study football and play football and strength train. 12 to 14 hours a day. That’s what I love to do, so I’m enjoying it.

Is there anything specific in your game that you’re working on right now?
The real focus for me right now is fundamentals with my drop, being under center with the three, five and seven [foot drops], trying not to drop the ball so much, getting two hands on the ball. All of the fundamentals of playing the quarterback position.

How do you work on those things?
I have drills but it’s more being with the quarterback coaches I work with: Marc Trestman, who’s been a coach for a while, and Sam Wyche - who obviously coached Joe Montana.

Do you remember Sam Wyche as a coach?
I mean, I was very young [laughs] but I go back and study football, so I know about all of those guys.

What do you think will be the hardest part of the NFL game to adapt to?
Obviously I’ve never gone through this process. I feel pretty ready. Most people say the speed and I think that will still be an issue for me. Although I feel like I played against a lot of fast teams in the SEC and a lot of players who are really solid in the NFL. I think I’ll have a little advantage, but I still think that will be something that will take a little time to get used to: the speed of which things happen.

What are you looking to bring to the team that drafts you?
I just look to bring someone who cares about what he does. Someone who will be one of the hardest workers out there. Someone who’s going to give his heart and soul to that organization and believe in it and put everything he has behind it. That’s the greatest thing I can give.

How do you think you can translate all of your collegiate success to the NFL?
The reason we have success in college, we had a team that cared about each other that worked extremely hard and we believed in our coaches and ourselves. I think that formula works everywhere, from Pop Warner to high school to college to the NFL. If you talk to NFL coaches, that’s it. I think trying to help a team with that formula, just go in there and try to earn respect from the guys and give everything I have.

What are your expectations for your rookie year?
I don’t have specific expectations. It’s like when I went to Florida – I had never done it before. Going in there, the only expectation is “give everything I have” and so that’s what I’m going to do when I’m with the team.

Are there any QBs that you model your game after?
I’ve been able to talk with Steve Young and Mark Brunell a little bit. That’s been a lot of fun. There’s been different guys that have helped me along the way that I’m really thankful for.

Do you have any overlooked skills that you think will help you in the NFL?
I hope so, but I’m not sure. [Laughs] We’ll just have to wait and see when I get there.

For some reason, you generate a lot of attention, sometimes for off-the-field stuff. How do you stay focused on your game with all of those distractions going on?
I only worry about what I can control. What I can control is my work ethic, my attitude, and how much I care about what I’m doing. I can’t control everything off the field, I can’t control what people are going to say, I can’t control the critics, I can’t control any of that. So I’m not going to take the time away from training, my family or anything else.

Do any of those negative distractions motivate you?
I try to block it off. But you know what? A little bit of that adds an edge and a little motivation never hurt. So you know... [Laughs]

What kind of tests do you get run through for the Gatorade performance testing?
Height, weight, Bod Pod. They can measure your weight, body fat, and body mass. They perform six different tests, they want to see how you’re performing under different types of stress on the bike. How many calories you’re losing, how many carbohydrates you’re losing, what type of intake you need. It’s pretty specific. For me, it was a great opportunity to learn about my body.

Did you learn anything about yourself that you didn’t know before?
I learned how much you not only have to hydrate, but also how much you need to put in the proper amount of carbohydrates, the proper amount of protein. When you’re busy and you’re working out, you don’t want things to be complicated. You just want to be able to grab a shake and drink it.

What’s your favorite flavor?
Glacier Freeze.

You’re good - I only know the flavors by color.
Most of the time I just call them by the color, but Glacier Freeze was just so good, I had to remember the name.