NFL Tebow: Sit Early, Star Later

ESPN.com's Chris Sprow has a fascinating must-read about the correlation between the time spent on the bench as a drafted NFL QB and future NFL success.

This obviously has significant implications for Tim Tebow -- for whom the plan all along was to let him absorb and develop under coaches for 1-2 years (or more) before making him a starter.

The pattern is hardly rare -- and hardly a scarlet letter for drafted QBs. Tebow would simply be following the path set by Aaron Rodgers (4-year wait) and Phil Rivers (3-year wait).

The data helps to frame Tebow's development time as not merely necessary -- but beneficial, both to the player and the team.

In fact, the idea that Tebow could help out as a rookie in situational moments (short-yardage, goal-line) is a huge bonus, relative to the value that someone like Rodgers added his first 3 years.

Don't be fooled by expectations that NFL QBs have to come in and start immediately -- they don't. And, in fact, it might be better if they don't.