Message to Meyer: Let Tebow be Tebow

Doyel: Tebow isn't an NFL QB

Florida coach Urban Meyer is probably taking tens of millions of dollars right out of Tim Tebow's pocket.

And you thought only banks bilked taxpayers.

Let go of your ego, Urban Meyer, and air it out. (AP)

Meyer has the fattest ego in college football. In his mind, he's Urban the Emperor. Kiss the ring or kiss his ass.

He'll tell you so, too.

Meyer makes Pete Carroll seem like a Buddhist monk.

Indeed, the only thing larger than Meyer's ego is Phil Fulmer's breakfast.

Oh, I know Gator Nation. You're not supposed to say anything bad about The Emperor. He's untouchable, right?

(Yes, sir, Urban. No, sir, Urban. Can I fetch your slippers for you Urban?)

The problem is because The Emperor is so in love with his gimmicky offensive system, a system the rest of the SEC is quickly adjusting to, he isn't giving Tebow the freedom he needs as a thrower.

Meyer believes every play-call is gorgeous, every diagram the Mona Lisa, when in actuality some of the things he does are nuttier than an Al Davis news conference.

This has not, in fact, been Meyer's best year of coaching.

Tebow isn't a glorified fullback, which is the way Meyer utilizes him at times. He's got the potential to be a solid, if not terrific, drop-back passer. He can prosper in a pro-style offense and if stubborn Meyer would use Tebow more that way, not only would Florida still be in the national title hunt, Tebow would be on his way to being a first round pick in the NFL and two-time Heisman Trophy winner.

So Meyer's stubbornness is costing twofold. It's costing the Gators in terms of wins and it's costing Tebow in terms of his professional future.

Tebow suffers from the soft bigotry of low pass throwing expectations and the grand arrogance of Urban the Emperor.

Meyer has to make Tebow a throw-first quarterback instead of a run-first quarterback and a switch to a more hearty pro-style offense.

The Gators are still a national title contending team and Meyer is still a fantastic coach. I wrote when he first took the Florida job that he'd win multiple championships and that will still happen.

The problem is the SEC is catching up to Meyer's brand of football and Meyer has started to believe the press clippings that say he's a god.

Gods don't think they need to change.

It's true Florida has other problems including a suspect offensive line and continuing problems on defense. The biggest, however, remains how teams have had time to study Meyer's schemes and that counter-intelligence is beginning to cause problems.

Perhaps the biggest crime is that Tebow has -- to me -- the best wide receiver in all of college football in Percy Harvin. There's absolutely no question Harvin will be a star on Sundays.

There needs to be deeper drop backs for Tebow and more launches to Harvin. Many more. There are very few defensive backs that can cover Harvin deep.

Less Tebow running. Less spread option stuff. More pro style offense.

While you're at it dump those awful shovel passes from the playbook. They only work on the Arkansas Razorbacks of the world.

Once, I was just as guilty as Meyer in under-estimating Tebow's pass throwing abilities. He'll be great in the pros, I thought some time ago.

As a tight end.

Bulk Tebow up 25 pounds and he's the next Jason Witten. At least, that's what I used to believe.

Tebow has grown as a pass thrower faster than anyone thought he would, possibly including even Meyer.

Once, the SEC feared Meyer and his offense. That's no longer the case. They've adapted to Meyer's tactics while Meyer hasn't adapted to a growing Tebow.

Free Tim Tebow, Urban.

Free him now.