MONTREAL The Montreal Alouettes would welcome Tim Tebow to the CFL provided he's willing to compete for a job as a backup quarterback.
The New York Jets released the former Heisman Trophy winner Monday just a year after acquiring him in a ballyhooed trade with the Denver Broncos.
Tebow has been one of the league's most popular players since his arrival but has drawn constant criticism for his passing mechanics. But his NFL future remains very much in doubt.
If the former Florida star wants to keep playing quarterback the CFL could be a landing spot. But if Tebow wants to come to Canada Montreal has exclusive negotiating rights.
Anthony Calvillo is entrenched as Montreal's quarterback. The 40 year old Calvillo is entering his 20th CFL season and assesses his career on a year to year basis. That would leave Tebow to contend with former Boston College star Quinton Porter a five year CFL veteran for the No. 2 spot.
If Tim Tebow wants to come to Canada we'd definitely welcome him general manager Jim Popp said. That's why we have him on our neg list and we'd take a look at him and see if he can play in Canada but it would obviously be competing for a backup job.
Tebow led the Broncos to the playoffs in 2011 but became the odd man out in Denver when Peyton Manning arrived. The Jets acquired Tebow for a fourth round draft pick and $1.5 million in salary.
Playing Canadian football would present Tebow with clear challenges given the importance of the passing game on the longer wider CFL field.
None of us know if he can really play in Canada either so it would be a project to see what he's capable of doing Popp said. Tim Tebow has a strong arm. You hear about the knocks on his throwing whether it's accuracy or touch. If you're going to have success in Canada you're going to have to be able to throw the ball all over the field.
But Popp said Tebow's mobility would be a definite asset in Canada.
It depends on what you're asking him to do Popp said. If one day you decide to make him your starter then obviously you're going to formulate an offense that best suits Tim Tebow.
I think right now there's 32 NFL teams that aren't willing to do that. That doesn't mean a CFL team wouldn't in the future. But again until you have him and really figure out what he can and can't do you don't really know.
Tebow wouldn't be the first big name quarterback to make the trek north. Doug Flutie Warren Moon and Jeff Garcia all came to the CFL and blossomed into stars before returning to play in the NFL.
But a CFL team with Tebow would also have to adjust to his celebrity. The two time NCAA champion's No. 15 jersey with Denver ranked second in U.S. sales to Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers in 2011.
And if Tebow wants to come to Canada and there's no indication he does he would have to call Popp.
I don't know what his process is going to be if any or if he even has an interest in playing in another league outside the NFL he said. If they end up having that discussion I'm sure we'll hear from them and we'll move from there.
Popp said Montreal also has former Texas star quarterback Vince Young on its negotiation list and Young's representatives have spoken to the Alouettes twice. Each time the message has been the same If Young came to Quebec it would be as Calvillo's backup.
They know we have Anthony they know if he (Young) comes he's not starting Popp said. If (Tebow) has a real interest in coming to Canada he or his representation will call.
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