No NFL First Round Rookies have signed contracts yet with their teams. It’s a big process and usually goes into training camp before everyone is signed. A player won’t start getting paid until he is under contract… and actually, I believe NFL Players only get X number of checks and they are paid during the season. It’s not like a regular job where you get paid every 2 weeks all year long. So how do all these rookie have fancy cars, jewelry and clothes before they are signed? Well, either their agent fronts the money or they have endorsement deals.

Remember, before the Draft Tim Tebow signed a $300,000 deal with Nike… so he’s got enough money to live for awhile. Tim Tebow also did autograph signings. Normally, this would net a player some cash but no Tim – he donated the proceeds to his Foundation. Reports are that big corporations are throwing endorsement deals left and right at Tim Tebow… trying to make him the face of their company. But none of that interests Tebow right now.

“I’m trying to work hard and not get my mind cluttered with all that,” Tebow said. “When it gets to the point when something needs to be presented to me, I see it. Right now, it’s all ball for me.”

Tim Tebow is in Memphis right now, working on his game. He’s away from the spotlights in Denver and in Florida. If I’m not mistaken he is practicing at the local high school where his agent’s son goes to school.

“Within the next five years, Tim clearly has a chance to be one of the most endorsable athletes on the planet,” Jimmy Sexton (Tim’s agent) said. “I had one CEO of a major Fortune 500 company tell me, ‘You know what, Jimmy? For a corporation to put a face on their brand, this guy (Tebow) is the real deal. He’s the one guy who’s not going to be a scandal two or three years from now.’ ”

As we get closer to the season, I think we’ll start seeing Tim accept some of the deals. He’ll have to strike while the iron is hot. You never know what can happen once he hits the field.

In addition to Nike, what companies can you see Tim Tebow endorsing? Gatorade — definitely. Subway — maybe. Chick-fil-A — maybe.