Mailbag: Tim will always get a reaction
Updated Feb. 5
There are certain lightning-rod words that always get a reaction.
Unemployment.
Barry Bonds.
Iraq.
Afghanistan.
Tiger.
Woods.
Toyota.
The ultimate lightning rod is a certain No. 15 who is, let's just say, a conversation starter. You could drop the name "Tim Tebow" at a dinner party and half the participants would get in a fight. The other half would start a charity in his name.
Ol' Timmy came through, as a subject, last week prior to the Senior Bowl. The reaction was thus ...
From: Paul
Will you invite me to your wedding when you and Tim Tebow tie the knot?
Wedding Crasher:
We do need a flower girl.
From: Roderick
Nice piece on Tebow, Dennis. The guy is special for sure and, like you, I will miss him but realize he will be more successful in life then he ever was at football, and at football, he was the best.
God's Rod:
When life gives you lemons, throw a jump pass.
From: Kevin
If ever a team needed someone like Tebow, it is the Buffalo Bills. I think he will flourish there. Buffalo doesn't mind someone who wins ugly. They just want someone to win.
Buffaloed:
Wins ugly? They've already got Chan Gailey.
From: Brandon Dear Dennis, I'm a student at the University of Oklahoma but I grew up on SEC football.
I went to my first college game as a freshman in high school and do you know where I went? The Swamp. I met Tim Tebow the Friday before the game when he was a freshman and got a picture with him. Ever since then Tim Tebow has been a hero to me and my family. We have never missed a single game on television and we go to the Florida-LSU game every year to root for Tim.
Being a fan of Tim Tebow in Sooner country is a dangerous thing but it's something I am very proud of. He is an inspiration to me and I admire him for everything he stands up for and stands against. Thank you for writing your article! I have zero doubts that Tim will succeed in the NFL.
Star Struck:
Folks like you are a big reason why I admire Tebow as well. We cynical sportswriters have razor-sharp b.s. meters. Tim is as genuine as a person I've met in sports.
Like I said, some of these critiques bordered on character assassination. Let the kid work out and get better. Plus, the track record of some of these analysts isn't very good.
From: Richard
At least someone's thinking straight. Thanks! Like Tim and Jimmy Johnson both said, only one team needs to give him a try. And then he will either succeed or not. But all the talk from the BCPs means nothing.
Comrade:
Thanks for jumping on the bandwagon. As you can tell, it's almost full.
Love the BCP reference.
From: David You are on the mark with your Tebow defense. He's a good ...young ... man.
Hope you observed some of (Central Michigan's Dan) LeFevour's Senior Bowl performance. Could be a Brian-Griese-who-can-run in NFL. Also a good ... young ... man. We'll miss him in Michigan.
David:
Brian-Griese-who-can-run. That's a good thing, right?
From: Dave
Dennis, I assure you that Coach Bryant could win today, and win big. You obviously don't really know how Coach Bryant was.
Bearish:
The point of my column about coaching conduct is not that Bear couldn't win, it was that Bear wouldn't be allowed to coach.
Taking kids out in the desert without water was cruel then and cruel now. There's a lot of stuff coaches have been able to get away with over the years in the name of winning. It's time for that abuse to stop.
From: Tom
Wow, two cuts on Greenville, NC in one article. Have you ever actually been there? It's nicer than Starkville, Miss., Clemson, SC, Blacksburg, Va., just to name a few.
Maybe it was just a coincidence but, if not, you're a real piece of work. Plus Skip Holtz obviously liked it here enough to not leave when his name came up for several other jobs, and is still a member of a very nice hunt club north of town.
Mr. Mayor:
Didn't mean to disparage your town but, let's face it, when you're selling point is: "We're not Starkville, Clemson or Blacksburg," you might want to have a chat with your chamber of commerce.
You mentioned a hunt club. Any chance there are some dead animal heads on the wall? Just asking.
From: Cybersam
Dennis, I am darn glad you're not a beat writer for the US Marines or Army. "I am special" is sickening and has no place in big time college athletics and damn sure not in the military.
Go down to Paris Island or any other special forces base and spread your X-Box weak-assed message of, "I am special." Keep your hands and mouth to yourself, politically correct garbage. See how long you last on base.
Your generation of everyone-is-special has no idea about code, honor, discipline, and the toughness required to succeed in today's real world. I pray that many of us don't have to depend on your type one day to defend America!!!
Uncle Sam:
I hope I don't have to depend on my type to defend America either. I'd never make it through the eye exams.
Seriously, just tell me what I did to hack you off, soldier. When did I write the words, "I am special." I know I think it a lot but I can't remember writing it.
From: Mike
Dennis why do you continuously write articles that clearly indicate you'd like to derail Urban Meyer's career at Florida? Urban's wife, family and many friends know the inside story, yet you continue your conjecture about his future. Give it up, you've has your say too many times on this subject.
Sub-urban:
Don't know what I've said to "derail" Urban's career. I'm just asking him to pick a lane. Make up his mind.
He makes $3.5 million a year. I make ... never mind. He has two national championships. I have one fantasy league title. He is the best coach in the country. I'm lucky to be in his orbit.
From: Jim
I usually enjoy your articles, however I'm so effen sick of everyone picking on USC. They are not Alabama nor do they belong to the SECond best conference- you know!?
So why can't you wait until that can of worms is open before putting them on your hook? I really hope Kiffin does well at USC and proves a bunch of rednecks wrong.
Conscience of Troy:
Let me lay it out for you ...
Leaving Tennessee: Bad.
Bailing out USC: Good.
Calling Tennessee recruits to sway them to USC: Bad.
Not needing those recruits anyway: Good.
Can of worms, hook: Huh?
Rednecks: Yes, please, and pass the ketchup. I like mine medium rare.
