Mike Ditka is a Hall of Fame tight end and is behind the Notion of Tim Tebow coming into the NFL to perform the place that he once dominated while with the Chicago Bears from the 1960s.
Ditka said if it were up to him he'd give Tebow, who has not played in the NFL because 2012 and just has one goal for a receiver in his profession, a chance.
"Absolutely. Listen, I believe he is a fantastic enough athlete. I believe he deserves a shot. I would give him a shot. No problem," Ditka told USA Today on Thursday.
"The tight end today, they do not call on them to perform a whole heck of a lot of blocking anymore. He's basically a receiver. I believe Tebow would be very, very competent and will likely do a good job in that region. I don't see any problem with it
"Now, if it was the tight end of 20 years ago where you had to obstruct defensive ends, I think that it's a bit different. But they don't have to do that anymore. They flank'em on the market, divide'em five yards and they run paths. He is a good enough athlete in which he can beat those guys in the secondary. And I think he will be a darned good one."
Ditka acknowledged there are some challenges for Tebow should the deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars be finalized and he does actually try out in the position.
"The physicality of it all. If you are a tight end and I really don't think you're physical, I will attempt to beat the hell out of you. That is precisely what the linebackers will try to do. When they don't think he is physical enough, they'll try to beat him up," he told USA Today.
The reported deal between Tebow and the Jaguars has not yet been completed. He is an official member of the team by the end of the weekend.
