ROB MAADDI
ROB MAADDI
AP Pro Football Writer
PHILADELPHIA — Tebowmania swept through Philly before Tim Tebow’s return to the NFL even became official.
By the time the Philadelphia Eagles announced late Monday afternoon that Tebow signed a one-year contract, the city was buzzing about Chip Kelly’s latest move. Tebow dominated newspaper headlines, social media conversation and sports talk radio. A pretzel factory even made “Tebowing” shaped pretzels.
Some fans applauded the move, while others claimed Kelly lost his mind. Talk show hosts debated the signing and questioned everything about Tebow from his passing skills to his faith and intelligence.
“Chip doesn’t care what the outside world is going to say about it,” former Eagles All-Pro safety Brian Dawkins, who played with Tebow in Denver, said on a local radio station. “He’s going to come to the facility and work his behind off. He’s gonna push you and push himself to get better.”
Neither Kelly nor Tebow was available for comment. A team spokesman said that won’t happen until the Eagles hold organized team activities next month.
Tebow will wear No. 11. His jersey already was listed for sale on the team’s website.
Tebow gets his first shot in the NFL since the New England Patriots cut him before the 2013 season. The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner hasn’t played since 2012 with the New York Jets. He worked as a television analyst last year with the SEC Network and ESPN.
“Tim developed quickly into an excellent analyst. He has a home at ESPN when his playing career is done,” said John Wildhack, ESPN executive vice president, programming and production.
The 27-year-old quarterback is still highly popular after leading Florida to two national titles and spending two seasons with the Denver Broncos. Many fans follow Tebow because of his strong Christian beliefs.
The Eagles already have four other quarterbacks on their roster: Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchez, Matt Barkley and G.J. Kinne. Tebow is expected to compete for the No. 3 spot in an offense that’s suited to his strengths. Kelly, known for innovative schemes, certainly will try to find other ways to use him, too.
Tebow could be worked into the offense for zone-read plays, short-yardage and goal-line situations and conversions. If the NFL changes extra-point rules, Tebow could become a specialist.
Tebow had some success in Denver, including a playoff win over Pittsburgh in January 2012, but struggled with accuracy. He was known for running the ball and improvising.
He worked with former major league pitcher Tom House on improving his mechanics. Kelly must’ve seen improvement when the Eagles worked him out last month.
Kelly has had one of the busiest offseasons in the NFL, bringing in Tebow, Bradford and running back DeMarco Murray, while trading away Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy and allowing Jeremy Maclin to leave in free agency.
Peterson stays home from Vikings workouts
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings have started their spring strength and conditioning program.
Adrian Peterson, in one of the surest bets of the offseason, stayed away.
NFL teams such as the Vikings with returning head coaches were allowed to launch their supervised workouts at team headquarters on Monday, when a person with knowledge of Peterson’s plans confirmed to The Associated Press that the star running back did not attend.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
Peterson’s absence was expected, of course, given his expressed disinterest in returning to the organization. Even in a normal year, Peterson’s presence during the offseason in Minnesota has been rare.
He spent some time there last year to get acclimated to coach Mike Zimmer and his staff, but Peterson’s preference has long been to prepare for the season with his personal trainer at home in the Houston area.
Peterson’s contract includes a $250,000 workout bonus, but he doesn’t actually start collecting his $12.75 million salary until games start in September.
The 30-year-old missed all but one game last season because of the child abuse case involving his 4-year-old son that wound up in Texas court and the league’s disciplinary system.
These days, any activity on or off the field that teams are allowed by the collective bargaining agreement to conduct during the offseason are attended by the majority of players on the roster. Coaches don’t like absences.
All that’s contractually required, however, is the mandatory three day minicamp. For the Vikings this year, that’s June 16-18. So until then, they can’t discipline him for staying away. They just want him to return, as everyone from owners to executives to coaches to players has said repeatedly throughout the offseason.
Peterson was reinstated last week by the NFL from his suspension. The Vikings have said they’re not interested in trading Peterson, but if another team were to make an offer that changed their minds any deal would likely be consummated during the draft next week.