Tim Tebow's days with Patriots may be coming to end, gets no playing time vs. Lions



DETROIT – Tim Tebow spent most of this Thursday night – perhaps one of his fleeting few remaining as an NFL quarterback – standing near the 50-yard line of the New England Patriots sideline.

When the Pats were on defense, he'd sometimes casually flip a ball around by himself. When they were on offense, he'd put his helmet on, ready to go in – whether at QB or any other position the coaching staff might request.

"You just prepare yourself and be ready for whenever your number is called," Tebow said.

Tebow's number was never called.

Sixty-eight Patriots saw action in the 40-9 loss to the Detroit Lions in the third week of preseason play. It was a critical chance to make New England's eventual 53-man opening week roster, or at least put something on film for another team to spot and scoop you up.

Tebow wasn't among them.

Tom Brady played quarterback for the first half. Ryan Mallett played it for the second half. And despite "Tebow" chants from bored Lions fans who wanted to see the famed former Heisman Trophy winner, Tebow just kept standing there, waiting and waiting for a chance that never came.

Afterwards Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked: Why did you only play two quarterbacks?

"Because we only played two quarterbacks," he said.

Belichick likes to remind that evaluations are made over the course of an entire training camp, not one game or one play. Still, this wasn't a good sign for Tebow.

While it's likely he survives Tuesday's cut down from 90 to 75 players, and it's likely he sees action in next Thursday's final preseason game against the New York Giants, this was not a jolt of confidence that he'll make the final roster on Aug. 31. Or make anyone's final roster, for that matter.

These may be the final days of the Tebow experiment and despite his oversized following and big persona, it could just end coldly and quietly, as so many NFL careers do.

Belichick often carries just two quarterbacks during the season. Brady is No. 1. Mallett is the established backup. That isn't changing. Tebow needs to show enough to convince the organization that his development is worth eating up a slot that could go to a player that can add depth during actual games.

MORE AT http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--tim-te...-043959425.html

Flash in the pan. Maybe he can buy a car dealership or use his name to sell mattresses now that he is done playing. He better so something quick. Next year no one will even know who he is.