Hoping to cash in on the Tim Tebow craze, CBS is trying to put the TV ratings-maker on television screens next Sunday even though he won't be playing in the AFC Championship game.
USA Today reports that the network has asked Tebow to appear as a guest analyst in its studio show.
"We've had conversations with his people,' said Sean McManus, CBS Sports chairman. "We have a request in. We haven't heard back."
CBS said they are expecting to get an answer from Tebow by mid-week.
The network may have to get on one knee and Tebow to lure in additional viewers.
The much ballyhooed rematch between Tebow and Tom Brady was, relatively, a ratings bust— probably due to the one-sided dominance by the Patriots.
While Tebow-mania was building over the past few weeks, so were the Nielson ratings until Saturday.
Early stats reported by USA Today that the audience for the Broncos-Patriots AFC divisional playoff game peaked early between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET, during the game's first half. Viewers turned away as Tebow floundered and Brady helped the Patriots build up a big lead.
The blowout drew a 20.6 overnight rating, slightly behind the New Orleans Saints-San Francisco 49ers game it followed. Still, the game was up 14% from the Green Bay Packers-Atlanta Falcons game in the same time-slot last year.
"If it [the game] had a chance to build [drama], it could have been a record rating," said McManus. "But I'll take it."
CBS analyst— and former Broncos tight end— Shannon Sharpe said he thinks Tebow should take advantage of a national stage (pulpit?) while he can.
"The fans love this guy," said Sharpe. "I don't know if (another player) can come in there and get an honest shake at beating him out for the starting job."
Not so fast says ESPN analyst Merril Hoge— a frequent Tebow critic. He thinks that Tebow-mania will fade away like other trends.
"It's kind of like barbed-wire tattoos or bell bottoms. (Tebow has been) a fad." Hoge said.
Doesn't Hoge realize that tattoos don't disappear and Jordache jeans are already making a comeback in hipster neighborhoods?
Who is Merril Hoge? did he actually ever accomplish anything in the NFL. I know he played but for a guy that knows so much how come no one can remember what he did. He could leave ESPN and no one would know he was there.
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