NFL notes: Tebowmania sweeps through Philly

When Tim Tebow completes a pass or takes off running with the football, fans watching the Philadelphia Eagles practice cheer loudly and reporters quickly post about it on social media.

Few, if any, players fighting for a roster spot ever drew more attention.

Tebow is back after sitting out two seasons and competing for a job as the No. 3 quarterback. His passing skills have improved and everyone is eager to see how innovative coach Chip Kelly plans to use him.

“Tim obviously has a lot of skills that other quarterbacks don’t have because of his ability to run the football,” Kelly said. “But we haven’t delved into any of that.”

Tebow will get a chance to show his skills Sunday when the Eagles host the Indianapolis Colts. He’s been impressive and sometimes erratic during training camp.

“Tim is a little bit of a gamer,” offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. “These team settings which are a little bit uncontrolled, he gets out there and makes plays. And we’ve seen great improvements in him from his ability to execute our offense. Then he’s got that skill set where if it’s not right, he’s willing to take off and run, and when he’s running with it, he’s like a running back.”

Sam Bradford is Philadelphia’s starting QB. Mark Sanchez is the backup. Tebow and Matt Barkley are battling for the third spot.

Brady’s lawyers file more papers

Tom Brady’s attorneys filed more papers in U.S. District Court in New York in his lawsuit to overturn his four-game suspension by the NFL for his role in the use of deflated footballs in the AFC championship game.

Lawyers for the star quarterback of the Patriots stressed in their memorandum of law that the league is attempting to misdirect the court and “at every turn, the NFL misstates the record.”

Judge Richard Berman has instructed both sides to attempt to reach a settlement, and to tone down rhetoric in the case. Both sides are due in court again Wednesday.

Quick kicks

With expected starter Geno Smith out 6-10 weeks with a broken jaw, the Jets brought QB Matt Flynn in for a physical, but did not work him out. … The NFL warned teams about fighting during games in response to inter- and intra-team altercations that have erupted in training camp. Executive vice president Troy Vincent reminded all 32 teams that “fighting will not be tolerated.”