Tebow wows crowd

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Tim Tebow’s latest visit to Florida Field looked like most of the others. He was cheered, revered and pulled in every direction.

This time, though, it wasn’t just screaming fans gushing over the former Heisman Trophy winner.

The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner was the star attraction at Florida’s pro day Wednesday, receiving rave reviews from NFL scouts, coaches and general managers after he unveiled his new, compact throwing motion.

The bulky left-hander threw dozens of passes to former teammates Riley Cooper, Aaron Hernandez and David Nelson during a 30-minute workout, spoke with several NFL executives and even found time to play catch with a kid confined to a wheelchair.

“He had a very, very good workout,” Carolina Panthers coach John Fox said. “He doesn’t lack in the work ethic department, so whatever needs to be done, he’ll do. I definitely saw some adjustment and I thought he executed very well.”

About 3,000 fans showed up despite cool temperatures and light rain. They cheered loudly as Tebow entered The Swamp for the first time since his home finale in November, applauded every completion and groaned whenever a ball hit the ground – surely blaming the receiver.

“This is a little different,” Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren said. “I think if it had been a sunny day, we might have filled this place.”

Cornerback Joe Haden, defensive end Carlos Dunlap, linebacker Brandon Spikes, center Maurkice Pouncey, safety Major Wright and several others worked out before Tebow. Defensive end Jermaine Cunningham (shoulder), kick returner Brandon James (ankle) and linebacker Ryan Stamper (back) sat out with injuries.

Haden and Dunlap improved their 40-yard dash times from the NFL combine – both probably boosted their draft stock – but Spikes failed to break the 5-second mark on soggy grass.

Their performances, though, were clearly overshadowed by Tebow. He spent the last two months fine-tuning his new motion, which includes smaller strides, holding the ball higher and eliminating that long, looping release that had experts cringing and analysts calling for him to move to tight end or H-back.

He worked with longtime NFL assistant Zeke Bratkowski, former NFL coach Sam Wyche and former college/NFL assistant Marc Trestman.

“I made a lot of changes and improved on a lot of things,” Tebow said. “There’s still a lot of room for improvement, a lot of things that I think I can get better at and I’ll continue to work on it, continue to get better. But I think I made a lot of strides.”

About 75 NFL scouts, coaches and executives showed up to see Tebow throw. It was his first open workout since the Senior Bowl.

“I know he’s been working at it, and if anybody can do it, it would be him,” Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Gene Smith said. “He certainly has a will to prepare. People say there’s always exceptions to the rule. If there’s going to be one at the quarterback spot, it will be him in terms of going against everything everybody has said negative about him with the long release.

“He’s out to prove everybody he’s certainly capable of competing at our level.”

Maybe so, but there’s still plenty of debate surrounding Tebow’s draft stock. Some point to his drive, determination, winning record and other intangibles as reasons he should be a first-round pick. Others insist his passing skills are more in line with a midround selection.

“Clearly, he’s a special young man,” Holmgren said. “He’s working very hard and I thought he had a pretty good workout.”