When training camp opens for the Philadelphia Eagles the battle for third-string quarterback will be drawing as much attention as the battle to be the starter. That's because Tim Tebow, one of the most polarizing players in NFL history, is in the mix.
Sam Bradford, acquired for Nick Foles and a second-round pick this offseason, will be battling Mark Sanchez, who started eight games for the Eagles last season, for the starting job. Bradford has played in just seven games over the past two seasons and missed all of 2014 with a second torn ACL.
The injury history didn't scare the Eagles though.
"We looked at everything, and we knew we weren't going to pick No. 1 or No. 2. So, and I've said it before, if you're not going to pick one or two, how do you go get a quarterback?" Eagles coach Chip Kelly said. "Peyton Manning switched teams because of an injury. Drew Brees switched teams because of an injury. So we went down that path."
Bradford is healthy now, and an independent study conducted by the Eagles determined there's a 10-12 percent chance of re-injury. The Eagles' feelings on those chances might play into whether they choose Tim Tebow or Matt Barkley for the third-string spot.
If the Eagles are not comfortable with a 10-12 percent chance Bradford won't re-tear his ACL, they may elect to take Barkley, and his familiarity with the Eagles' offensive system, over Tebow. On the flip side, they may view those percentages as a minute chance of Bradford hurting his knee for a third consecutive season and go with Tebow's upside for the No. 3 role.
Rolling with Tebow means drastically changing how an offense operates because of his noted limitations throwing the football. As a runner, Tebow has been elite at the quarterback position, and Kelly's offense at Oregon thrived with mobile quarterbacks.
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