Senior Bowl serves as Tebow’s audition

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Tim Tebow’s NFL potential has been debated for years.

His throwing motion, arm strength and pocket presence have been dissected, examined and critiqued. His determination, leadership skills and work ethic have been commended, lauded and revered.

Some have little doubt he will be a star quarterback in the pros. Others believe he would be better suited at tight end or H-back.

The former Gators standout has made his intentions clear. Next week, at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., he gets a chance to prove to NFL scouts, coaches and general managers that he can play the game’s most prominent position at its highest level.

“I’ve heard it once or twice,” Tebow said recently, when asked about people questioning his NFL prospects. “I’m excited about it. I’ve heard a lot of it. Kind of heard that since high school, though. People didn’t think I could throw at Florida, and we did OK at that.

“And going to the next level, just try to prove people wrong.”

Tebow may have silenced some critics with his performance in the Sugar Bowl earlier this month. The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner completed 31 of 35 passes for a school-record 482 yards and three touchdowns in a 51-24 victory.

After the game, Tebow declined to speculate on what the best passing game of his career might do for his NFL draft stock. But Florida coach Urban Meyer chimed in.

“I’ll help you answer that question,” Meyer said. “Thirty-one of 35, 482 yards, three touchdowns, one of the most efficient quarterbacks ever to play the game, a part of two national championships. He’s a winner, and unless the job description changes at some other level of football, he’s a winner and he’ll win at the next level, too.”

Tebow left Florida with several NCAA passing records, even more Southeastern Conference marks and a litany of school records.

His college football legacy is secure. But that has done little to solidify his NFL future. Scouts can rattle off concerns regarding the 6-foot-3, 245-pound Tebow: He has taken just about every snap from shotgun formation, has a long windup, throws sort of sidearm, has average arm strength and holds the ball too long at times.

Some believe Tebow will be the latest in long list of star college quarterbacks who failed to have the same impact in the NFL, joining guys like Nebraska’s Eric Crouch, Miami’s Ken Dorsey and Florida’s Danny Wuerffel.

Others insist Tebow will be different, saying his athleticism and willingness to do whatever it takes to find success will transcend talent.

“I’ll be surprised if workouts and all-star games change teams’ opinions on Tebow,” ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said. “I think the one thing that will help the most for him is sitting down in those interview rooms. Remember, all it takes is one team and one decision-maker to fall in love with him to take him a half-round or maybe a full round ahead of where he should go.

“I think there will be plenty of teams that will look at it and say if he’s still on the board at pick 35 or 40 or 45 — wherever that is — they’ll go ahead and take him. He’ll probably be overdrafted for what you’re gonna get out of him for several years and maybe for his entire career.”