Tebow Outsells McNabb

By Justin Worsley

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow has yet to play a down of professional football, but it isn't stopping fans from snagging his jersey. NFLShop.com has reported that Tebow was the highest selling jersey in April, beating out Washington Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb.

Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner from Florida, was drafted 25th overall by Denver in last month's draft, a surprise to many spectators. Despite Tebow's record-breaking performance during his tenure as a Gator, many scouts felt Tebow was a working progress who needed to redefine his mechanics in order to be successful in the NFL. Other scouts felt Tebow would fare better if he was anything but a quarterback. Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels, who was a quarterback coach in New England, has coached Tom Brady and is a key factor in the development of Matt Cassel. Shaping Tebow into a NFL star could solidify McDaniels' legacy.

McNabb, who played in Philadelphia last season, did not crack last seasons' top 25 highest selling jerseys, selling even less jerseys than his backup, Michael Vick. Tebow currently sits third on the team's depth chart behind Kyle Orton and Tom Brandstater, but that could all change during the season if McDaniels feels Tebow is ready.

Fellow rookies Ndamukong Suh, Sam Bradford and Eric Berry also made the list. Suh, the second-overall selection in the draft by Detroit, was the eighth-highest selling jersey, edging Bradford, the first-overall selection by the Rams. Berry, the fifth-overall pick by the Chiefs, was ranked 18th on the list.

Despite the uncertainy of his return, Minnesota Vikings' quarterback Brett Favre still finished in the top-five highest selling jerseys. All of the top-five players are quarterbacks.

The Jets and Saints both had three players who made the top 25, the most by any team. The departure of McNabb out of Philadelphia has helped new quarterback Kevil Kolb in jersey sales as well. Kolb finished April with the 12th highest sales.