Roethlisberger “definitely” attending Pro Bowl, leaving Tebow out in the cold

With Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hobbling for much of the last six weeks and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady now exempt from the festivities (as if he would have gone anyway), many assumed that Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow would be invited to the Pro Bowl, given that he’s the second alternate.

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, the first alternate, already has been called up, given that Brady will be getting ready for the Super Bowl. But a league source tells PFT that Roethlisberger will “definitely” make the trip to Hawaii, despite an ankle injury that he first suffered on December 8 — and that he apparently aggravated on multiple occasions.

This means that Tebow’s first Pro Bowl appearance will come next year, at the earliest.

Of course, making the trip and being able to play are two different things. Roethlisberger could realize once he tries to practice that the ankle still isn’t 100 percent. But at least he still gets the free trip to Hawaii.

Tebow, who suffered a rib injury nine days ago in a 45-10 division-round loss to the Patriots, likely would be able to play in the game on short notice, if it comes to that. A source with knowledge of the situation said that doctors told Tebow last week, when Roethlisberger’s status was uncertain, that Tebow should be able to practice for and play in the Pro Bowl.

The Pro Bowl will be televised Sunday night on NBC. Which may explain why we suddenly have more than a cursory interest in it.

source:  PFT.com
author:  Mike Florio

Tebow agrees that he needs to “pull the trigger”

Broncos V.P. of football operations John Elway, in his latest remarks regarding the man who plays the position Elway once occupied for well over a decade, said that quarterback Tim Tebow needs to be willing to “pull the trigger,” instead of playing it safe.

Asked about Elway’s remarks on Wednesday, Tebow agreed. “I think that’s definitely true especially the more you get into tighter games, playoff games, you have to be aggressive,” Tebow said, via comments distributed by the team. “You also have to be smart but be aggressive and pull the trigger at times. It’s something that we’ll have to do.”

Coach John Fox say it’s nothing new. “At the end of the day, that’s what we’ve been telling him for some time,” Fox said. “I think he’ll have a good week of preparation and hopefully that’s what he’ll do on Sunday.”

As to the “edge” that Elway says Tebow has this week, Tebow chalks it up to the intensity of the playoffs. “I guess it’s just a big game,” Tebow said. “I try to be in the building a lot and just work on my craft and try to get a little bit better and leave no stone unturned.”

The Broncos should also leave no stone unturned. And one of those stones is having Brady Quinn ready to go, in the event that Tebow once again is stymied by an opposing defense. If Tebow, who has as many turnovers in the last two games (six) as he had in the prior 10 combined, struggles, it won’t happen because he’s lacking in confidence.

“I think he’s a confident guy,” Fox said. “He’s been in big spots before. He’s brought us back in some pressure situations all season long, and I’m sure he’s going to be giving it all his best on Sunday.”

Tebow definitely will give it his best. But his best hasn’t been good enough for three straight games. And it’ll take every bit of his best in order to topple the Steelers on Sunday.

source:  PFT.com
author:  Mike Florio