Offtopic/fun » definite contender for the role but the midfield

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tim Tebow and Tom Brady took turns, zipping passes over the middle and lofting tosses toward the corner of the end zone. On his first day with the Patriots, the New England newcomer was just a backup quarterback, No. 5 on his helmet and number three on the depth chart. And when practice ended Tuesday, Tebow talked -- for all of 40 seconds. "First and foremost, I just want to thank the Patriots for giving me an opportunity," Tebow said. For now, thats all it is. No promises of trick plays. No huge media circus. Not even a guaranteed job. To coach Bill Belichick, the focus is on football. And where Tebow fits in, well, the Patriots plan to find out. "I dont know. Well see," Belichick said. Two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press that Tebow was signed for two years but no assured money. One person says he will make the veterans minimum salary, $630,000 in 2013, with incentives. The Patriots already may be making money on their investment. The teams pro shop was taking pre-orders for jerseys with his last name -- and no number -- on the back. Prices ranged from $69.95 to $99.95, with free shipping. Tebow prefers the number 15, but second-string quarterback Ryan Mallett already has it. During practice, the three QBs worked under the close scrutiny of offensive co-ordinator Josh McDaniels, who drafted Tebow in 2010 when he was the head coach of the Denver Broncos. They all threw good spirals, although Tebows velocity and delivery appeared to be the slowest. Asked how much McDaniels background with Tebow contributed to the signing, Belichick shed no light. "I dont know," Belichick said. About 10 minutes before the workout ended, Patriots owner Robert Kraft walked up to Tebow and shook hands. Kraft put his arm around Tebows back and Tebow put his arm on Krafts shoulder. They chatted for a few minutes as Tebow threw. "Its such an honour to be a Patriot and play for coach Belichick and coach McDaniels, learn under Tom and to be a part of this great franchise and part of a very successful franchise," Tebow said. "I found that out firsthand. I lost to them several times." Tebow then strolled off without taking questions. Quite a contrast to Tebows introductory press session with the New York Jets last year. He spoke for 30 minutes at that gathering, moved from the normal media room to the teams field house because the turnout was so large. At 25, Tebow owns a Heisman Trophy, two college national championship rings and one NFL playoff victory, plus a global following based as much on his beliefs as his ballplaying. With a rack of Super Bowl trophies in their possession, the Patriots want wins, not headlines. Tebow joined the perennial playoff team for the first practice of its three-day minicamp. Its uncertain whether the left-hander QB will last until training camp in late July or the first exhibition game on Aug. 9 at Philadelphia. And the season opener in Buffalo on Sept. 8 is still nearly three months away. By that time, he might even have another position -- H-back, tight end or punt protector. But at least he has an NFL job after signing with the Patriots on Tuesday. That prospect seemed to be a long shot when no team hurried to sign him after the Jets cut him on April 29, three days after they drafted quarterback Geno Smith out of West Virginia. Belichick, as usual, was brief in his hopes for Tebow. "Well try to do what we think is best for our football team," Belichick said. Might he be used on special teams on defence? "Well see. I dont know." What about people who have questioned his ability to play quarterback in the NFL? "Ive already said that," Belichick he said. "Ive answered the question twice. Hes a talented player who is smart and works hard." Tebows former coach with the Jets wasnt about to offer any advice to Belichick, either. "Oh, please, hes not going to listen to me, and he shouldnt," Rex Ryan said. "Hell just do what he does, and that makes sense." Ryan never found a way to use Tebow productively after the Jets acquired him to great fanfare following his trade from the Denver Broncos in March 2013. "Im happy for the young man to get another opportunity in the league," Ryan said. "Obviously, Tim had more success in Denver than he did here." New York went 6-10 last season, while New England was 12-4 and advanced to the AFC title game. With the Jets, Tebow completed six of eight passes and ran 32 times for 102 yards. Tebow had a lot more success in college at Florida. With the Patriots, hes reunited with two former college teammates, tight end Aaron Hernandez and linebacker Brandon Spikes. "Its good to see a Gator in the building," Spikes said. "I was happy for him. He got to get his job back and ... come out here and compete, so thats good to see him smile, that big smile Im used to seeing the last few years down in Florida." Hernandez caught 111 passes in three years as Tebows college teammate and was surprised when the Patriots signed him. "I was a little shocked and I was happy because we had a long relationship in college and its good to play with a college teammate again," Hernandez said. "Great teammate. Great leader." Brady is still one of the NFLs best quarterbacks, so there will be no quarterback controversy as there was in New York, where fans clamoured for Tebow to replace a struggling Mark Sanchez. On the Patriots, hes merely a player looking to compete for a roster spot. "Its going to be a lot of fun," Tebow said. "Im looking forward to working hard every single day and getting a lot better and learning under some great people. So thats all I got, but thank you all so much and God bless. Im sure well be talking more soon."Wholesale Vapormax 2 . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. Wholesale Vapormax 3 . Its 1987 and a Brazilian playmaker, known as Mirandinha, is being paraded around St James Park to the passionate Newcastle fans. http://www.clearancevapormax.com/cheap-vapormax-flyknit-clearance.html . There was no hesitation from the 40th-ranked Pospisil, from Vernon, B.C., who admitted that he cut back on his training sessions over the last few days to conserve energy as the long ATP season finishes next week at the Paris Masters. Cheap Vapormax 2020 China . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. Cheap Vapormax 95 China .ca NFL Power Rankings, overtaking the Denver Broncos and remaining ahead of NFC competition San Francisco, Carolina and New Orleans.THE FRONTRUNNERS TO REPLACE GARY ABLETT AS SUNS CAPTAIN:TOM LYNCH (Age: 24. Games: 102)A two-time club champion, All-Australian and genuine superstar, Lynch is the clear favourite for the captaincy. Hes young, a proven talent and has already led the club during Abletts injury-enforced absences.STEVEN MAY (Age: 24. Games: 88)Combative, clever and aggressive, May is a lead-by-example defender. Has already led the team in Abletts absence but occasional discipline lapses put him behind Lynch in the pecking order.DAVID SWALLOW (Age: 24. Games: 84)Swallow has been a part of the clubs leadership group for several seasons. A definite contender for the role but the midfielder is only just coming back from a run of injuries the past two years. Seems more likely hell be left to regather his fitnesss and confidence than be handed the captaincy.ddddddddddddJARROD HARBROW (Age: 28. Games: 184)The Suns quiet achiever, Harbrow is a popular player throughout the playing group. Already a leadership figure for the club and the communitys young Indigenous athletes, Harbrow is unlikely to pip Lynch or May to the captaincy but will be in Eades thoughts.MICHAEL RISCHITELLI (Age: 30. Games: 211)Behind Ablett, no-one has played more AFL games at the Suns than Rischitelli. Already a part of the clubs leadership group, the former Brisbane Lion is a trusty lieutenant but its unclear if hed be seen as standalone captaincy material. Age probably also counts against him. ' ' '