There's the 'poor man's Tim Tebow' line again

It's intended as a compliment, and if there's anyone a college quarterback would want to be compared to, it'd probably be Tim Tebow, who has a Heisman Trophy and two national championships in his three seasons.

But USF quarterback Matt Grothe, with his dual threat to run and pass, has been drawing such comparisons for years, and he's proud enough that he doesn't like to be a poor man's anything.

So there will be some unintended motivation from the Panama City News-Herald, whose preview of the Sept. 26 USF-FSU game makes a matter-of-fact comparison.

The poor-man's Tim Tebow is one of five returning starters on offense for USF. Grothe is a threat through the air and on the ground, as evidenced by his 591 yards rushing and nearly 3,000 yards passing to go along with 18 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Tebow, of course, has helped Florida beat FSU by a combined score of 90-27 in the past two seasons, and Grothe's reputation as his own quarterback would get a considerable boost if he can lead USF into Tallahassee and come out with a victory.

-- The USF Pinellas County Alumni Chapter is hosting its fourth annual Preseason Tailgate Celebration on July 26 at Capogna's Dugout in Clearwater. USF coach Jim Leavitt is committed to attend, and last year's event drew more than 400 fans. For more information, visit usfalumni.net/pinellas.

Comments

[politically incorrect]

I'll take Grothe stumbling his way through an interview any day over Tebow trying to invoke the Lords name into every sentence. Tiresome to say the least.
Now, if Matty has learned a new move besides the spinorama in the backfield when being pursued, he might just surprise a few Heisman voters this season.

[Tom]

Maybe he should have taken a speach class in college, or better yet, just go to any class.

[RPO]

Yeah, Tom...Grothe may, in fact, be morally bankrupt. But he's a great interview. Did you hear him on the Jim Rome show last year?

It was, um, you know....uhhhh.....really....um, uh, good.

[Tom]

I think they should leave out Tim Tebow's name when referring to Grothe, and just say "Poor Man", as Grothe is morally bankrupt.

[Mark]

n33x, What's disappointing to some Bulls fans is that his play DID NOT CHANGE from his freshmen year to his junior year. He makes a lot of BAD decisions. Some of the bad decisions he's made was ok in his freshmen year. But when he's making those same bad decisions in his junior year, that's not good. If anybody remember before last season. Grothe said himself that he's got to cut down on the mistakes. As a Bulls fan, I will be supporting him.

[Chris]

Ari: You are right about Tebow on all but one count. For all Matt Grothe's weeknesses he has clocked 4.5 in the 40. I don't think Tebow has that type of speed. Now Tebow is a much, much better QB, the 2 aren't comparable, but he is not faster than Grothe.

[Bulliever]

Terry,

Funny, how you read one line of the many, many comments I have about Matt and you say I owe him an apology. To again clarify what I have said, I read many article/blogs (over the past year...so can't quote one in particle) but, it is an opinon, sorry you don't like it.

I am the biggest DEFENDER of MATT GROTHE!!!! Here are the TOP 10 quotes (paraphrased) I have said on this blog over the year to defend Matt:

10) He has been our best double threat on this team... for the past 3 years.
9) He is unbelievably elusive.
8) He has a great arm and can throw the LONG pass.
7) He is our best running back.
6) He has made some great plays even without a "star receiver".
5) He is the best QB in the Big East with a mediocre o-line.
4) He can avoid the sack, it most instances.
3) His talent alone made and the win at Auburn, put USF in the spot light.
2) He dates the prettiest USF cheerleader. (I met her, she was the sweetest thing).
1) He is a great quarterback and the best that USF has ever had. And I love him.

[Steve Santagati]

Where's good ol' Chalko to weigh in on this?

[Richard Todd]

Two National Championships(PT for One) and a Heisman Trophy - who does really compare to Teabow ? If he wins another National Championship this year he could arguably go down as one of the great college players of all time.

One more thing - How much better would Matt have been if he had Percy Harvin to throw to ?

[Jason]

Hernando, As a person that grew up in Panama City. FSUPC is a pretty great thing to have in an area known only for its beaches. Not many people ever leave Panama City and that being the only place to get an education besides Gulf Coast Community College makes it a great thing for the area. I am all for making it USF Panama City Campus. On a side note USF is lucky if we ever get a blurb about us in the Paper in Panama City.

[Terry Lucas]

To further accent that point, Canales routinely quizzed players in the offensive meetings that we had before every practice and stated a scenario that the QB would have to verbally acknowledge. Before we boarded the bus for games, Leavitt was doing the grilling. Back in the day, Marquel rarely missed anything... he was that knowledgeable when it came to situations on the field. Football knowledge wise, I would bet Matt is by far the smartest guy on the field and in the team meetings. Whether that translates to the classroom, I don't really care. But on the field... there is no question who the field general is.

[Terry Lucas]

Bulliever... I think you inserted your foot here and owe Matt an apology. I'd be willing to bet two season tickets that Grothe watched more game film last season than any other player at USF. Regardless of whether or not he made mistakes in game situations, the Matt and the QB coach/OC are in the office every day disecting practice film, game film on the opponents, etc. There is not a day that goes by where Grothe is not watching film. And that doesn't even include film he might take back to his room to watch at night. I can't tell you how often as a bench warmer I went in to watch film only to see Marquel in there before I got there and still there when I was leaving. Sometimes I wonder where people get their inside knowledge... because when it's so out to lunch and discredits a player as bad as this does, there should be some accountability for one's words.

[n33x]

you guys are talkin' like grothe put up these horrible numbers. Isn't he about to break a bunch of big east records?

Grothe put up awesome numbers ... without a cohesive offense OR O-Line. Sounds more like a guy out there making plays and occasionally taking chances because he had to. Not because he wanted to or making poor decisions.

This particular group needs a dose of appreciation for the good things that happened despite the weaknesses.

[Chris]

Mediocre is alot more credit that I'm prepared to give the offensive line last year....

[Bulliever]

I can not speak for Grothe and my assumptions of him not watching tape is just that. It is what I have read...but, does not make what I say accurate. And that is why I beleive he made some of the mistakes he did...

On the other hand, he has some amazing instincts and made some plays when he should of been sacked...

But the biggest problem that Grothe faced and might again this year is our o-line. If they don't get it together... Even Tebow could not save this team!

Food for thought: Tom Brady sat on the bench at Michigan was the 6th round draft pick and for 2 years was the Pat's 3rd string QB...Poof, all the sudden he is some amazing QB... Yes, he is talented, but that O-line definitely has something to do with it... And do you really think that either Mannings would have pulled off a SuperBowl if their o-line was just mediocre?

[Mark]

I agree with USFMikeB. If Grothe did what Bulliever claim. Then he screwed himself and the fans. Thats why the coaches are keeping a close eye on him this past spring and this summer. But my belief is that youh can't blame the coaches the past three years for his high turnover ratio. When a QB get the ball from center, he has the finally say where the ball goes.

[Hernando]

Jason, USF-St. Pete is thriving. FSU-Panama City is struggling with low enrollment and red ink. FSU president T.K. has given the satellite campus 3 years to improve things or he will recommend closing it.

[Bulliever]

Hey Mike- Good point and I hope that does not come back to haunt him...

But, having self confidence and believing in your system is more than 1/2 the battle. I really hope he has a great year! If he struggles, there are 2 guys sitting on the bench that appear to be ready to play.

[G.A.]

On behalf of poor men everywhere, I like the tone of the conversation here today. Civil discourse is a great thing.

[Jason]

Hernando. So would we call St. Pete a poor mans USF as they have USF St. Pete?

[USFMikeB]

The problem with your theory Bulliever is that if he didn't put forth the effort over the past two years, then he will never have the senior season that he would have. He'll be missing the growth that he should have made during those two years.

[Jason]

If you do a search for "poor man's Tebow" you come up with a list of a few QB's, not just Grothe. I even found that Tebow is a poor man's Ben Roethlisberger.

[Bob Slicky]

Someone should inform the reporter that Khyri Thornton is at Southern Miss, not USF.

[Bull Daly]

I agree with DWebber. I just dont see how Grothe can be compared with Tebow seeing that both QB's have different styles of play. Grothe is more of a HB running that can make a lot of people miss and mistacle. Tebow is more of a FB type of runner in that he just runs right over people with his size. I would say Grothe is more of a poor man's Brett Farve (in his early years) or Steve Young than I would say Tebow. Tebow would make a good FB or TE in the NFL if he wants to do that. Grothe would be better off playing NFL in the secondary

PS I wonder how Grothe's stats would look if you put him on UF's team, and I wonder how Tebow's stats would look if you put him on USF team. I am willing to bet that Grothe's stats would be a little better if he had Tebow's situation.

[Steve O'Neal]

No way is he Tebow, but I would think he is better than just ok. The biggest problem is the lack of protection most of the time. Yes he makes some mistakes, like everyone does. Yes he pushes at times to make something happen and that sometimes results in an int or other bad result. Some times it is a good result and has provided many victories. Get some O-line protection and we will see how he does this year. Some publications such as rivals have him listed at #19 on the QB list. 62% pass completion, 8100yds passing, 47td/42int, over 2085yds rushing, 4yds/carry 23tds. Not exactly "average". He definitely needs to cut down the interceptions. As far as giving up on Gregory...the entire offense pretty much did also. The fans sure did! It must have been tough to move the ball down the field and then have a really bad play called and not be able to score. That would tend to get frustrating after a while. I'm hopeful a good season. Time will tell. GO BULLS!

[Bulliever]

Mike,

Yep..I would agree with you, but it is not reality!

If your boss is a jerk, do you really bust butt and put 100% into your job ? Grothe put up with 2 years of his nonsense...

If Grothe does not have the year that I am anticipating... and it is the same ole thing... then I will be the first one to admit I was wrong.

[USFShep]

Too bad Grothe & Tebow will be gone when we play Gators next year!! That would have been a good game....Grothe at times can be a great QB..needs to eliminate the bad throws period...expecting big things from him & entire team..this should be our year to win Big East. Go Bulls!! I think any comaprison to Tebow is a positive. I watched him play high school football many times and the guy is a winner. Doing the same things in college and I think he will get it done in pro's as well.

[David Weber]

Grothe is a much more explosive runner than Tebow. Tebow would never be able to break an 80 yard run like Grothe did. Tebow is more like a fullback. Tebow is also a much more reliable passer.

If Grothe is a poor-man's anything, it's one of the Big 12 QBs. Of course, Grothe out-dueled Todd Reesing, so he's probably just below Colt McCoy (again, McCoy is a better passer while Grothe is the better runner).

[USFMikeB]

Tebow is a really good QB, and Grothe is an okay QB, there really isn't a comparison. We can talk about a lack of confidence in his OC, but if he didn't put forth his full effort because he didn't like the OC, then he didn't do his job. Period.

[Bulliever]

I 110% agree with Steve O on his comment...

And if Canales actually does what he said he would do and that is have our players play to their strengths, Grothe is going to have a great year....

Grothe made mistakes, but he did not have faith in his OC (Gregory) last year. He did not "buy in" and therefore did not watch tape, or try to get any better. He has been doing a lot more this summer to get ready for this year, I believe Grothe and our entire team is going to have a great year.

I am looking forward to seeing how we do on defense under Tresey... Will we be faster? Can we stop the run? and the big play?

September 5th is like football's Christmas Day.... And I can't wait!

[RR]

I love him, but Grothe is "all or nothing."

In other words, if he's not making a Sportscenter Top 10 play where he wiggles out of six defenders' grasps, he's throwing a ridiculous pass right into the chest of an opposing safety.

Will that change this year? Hopefully...but we were assured it was going to be different last year, too. The best indicator of future performance is past performance.

I hope his TD / INT ratio is much closer to 2:1 this season as opposed to his career 1:1 ratio.

[Mike Douglas]

I wish he was half as good as Tebow. He's really not a difference maker in a tough spot. He comes up short a lot. He's not a proven winner. So the comparison is probably a compliment because Grothe really isn't that close to Tim.

[Hernando]

Panama City is the home of the poor-man's FSU: Florida State University-Panama City Campus.

[WouldYouKindly]

That's an unfortunate comparison. lol. But hey, this will do nothing but motivate him...hopefully. Go Bulls!

[Steve O'Neal]

He isn't Tebow, but he's probably one of the best to play here. Give him a line to offer some type of protection and he is a fine college QB. That seems to be the opinion of many in the college FB sports world. He has made mistakes when trying to make something happen and he has also made huge plays when it looked like he was in a bad spot. I'm glad he's our QB. GO BULLS!

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Matt Grothe is a dual threat to run and throw an interception. They are two totally dif QBs.

Tebow is acturate and big.

Grothe throws the ball to the other team and is quick.