Something New Every Day

Turns out that Tim Tebow is currently working with a few ex-NFL coaches in order to fine-tune his throwing mechanics and also learn how to come out of a 3 to 5 step drop.  Some may charge that this is pretty late in the game for such schooling.  Others that this is simply a reactionary move by the Tebow camp to silence critics in advance of the NFL Draft.  But either way, this isn't the first time we have seen such maneuvers, and we even have a few recent examples that will suggest that Tebow isn't the only one heading into The Show with a few inadequacies.

In baseball, for example, Stephen Strasburg is a future star with all the tools for success.  But did you know that he does not know how to pitch out the stretch?  That's right.  He is so used to dominating from Little League on through the College World Series, that he so rarely had runners on base, and even when he did, he knew the next guy was out, so he didn't even bother pitching from the stretch.  This is sure to change once he gets to the bigs, so he is currently working with Tom Emanski and former Nationals star John Patterson.  Some have said that Strasburg should have been forced to pitch from the stretch during his college career in order to prepare him for the Major Leagues.  In response, Strasburg has simply said, "I do what I want."

In basketball, future #1 overall pick John Wall is physically incapable of dribbling with his left hand.  And he's a point guard!  His primary responsibility is to dribble down the floor, penetrate when necessary, and find the open man for easy buckets.  Just watch him; see if he ever goes left on an opposing guard.  He won't!  And if he does, it will be by using his right hand, keeping the ball on the inside between him and his defender and then, in some cases, pulling back for a fade away.  Sure, due to Wall's superior athletic ability, he can get away with such behavior in college, but in the NBA?  If you don't think Rondo is stealing the ball, his wallet, and his girlfriend with that weak action, the you're kidding yourself.  Rumor has it that John Wall has already begun preliminary talks with former Supersonics great Gary Payton to work on basic dribbling drills and skills once the NCAA tournament is complete, in preparation for the NBA draft.

An even larger example?  How about Sidney Crosby.  The perfect game?  Is that what you think?  Before Crosby even stepped onto the ice at the Mellon Arena, Crosby, well, had never actually stepped onto ice, unless it was by accident back in Nova Scotia.  You heard me.  Crosby was known for being the complete player, not on the ice, but on the wood.  Crosby was the quintessential inline (or Quad) hockey player up in the North country.  It was not until the Penguins approached Crosby with a lucrative contract, that he had ever even considered lacing up hockey skates and taking to the frozen sheet.  At first, it looked as if he had still had his skate guards on, felling down with each simple turn or transition.  But look at him now.

So it does look like there is hope for young Timmy, the miracle child.  After all, if he can conquer a Filipino hospital and his mother's busted womb, then how hard can poor throwing mechanics and taking snaps from under center really be?  Chin up, Timmy boy.  I'm sure some sad sucker is surely willing to make a huge mistake come Draft day 3.