Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris went to great lengths to ensure his team drafted quarterback Josh Freeman last year.
The Bucs traded up in the first round to 17th overall to select Freeman, who played for Kansas State. Tampa Bay sent its first- and sixth-round picks to Cleveland to move up two spots ahead of the Denver Broncos.
Freeman started nine games last season and has become Tampa Bay's franchise quarterback, but Morris admits he was impressed by former University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow during the recent NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
"I wasn't directly focused on what Tebow was doing, but he's always impressive," Morris said. "You're talking about a great young man who I got the opportunity to meet and be around and see what kind of character he has and what he brings to the community. Teams will be fired up to get him."
Tebow, who is 6-foot-3 and 236 pounds, turned in an impressive performance at the combine.
Although he did not throw, Tebow ran the 40-yard dash in 4.72 seconds, fourth best among quarterbacks. Tebow also had the best numbers of any quarterback he competed against in the vertical jump (38.5 inches), three-cone drill (6.66 seconds), 20-yard shuttle (4.17 seconds) and 60-yard shuttle (11.27 seconds).
Many teams and draft experts have questioned whether Tebow can play in the NFL, but Morris is not among the quarterback's critics.
"You never know with that guy. He's won at every level," Morris said. "His teammates love him. They'll let you know they love him. You're talking about taking a guy to the next level with you; they'll all bring him [Tebow] with them.
"Those are the kind of guys you look for to involve in the character, leadership and also the winning of your football team."
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