Brian’s Blog: Tebow to NY?
Yes it’s true. Despite a snag in the trade, former Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow will be playing for the New York Jets next season. Tebow grabbed headlines last year when he took over the starting job in Denver from Kyle Orton and turned the Broncos into a playoff caliber team. But many pundits still doubt his abilities as a quarterback. His passing mechanics and overall ability as a passer leave a lot to be desired (he was ranked near last in ESPN’s quarterback rankings). His detractors also believe that his bread and butter play — running the option — can not work as a long-term strategy in the NFL.
Tebow also brings an unprecedented level of religion to the sport. His frequent “tebowing” (the act of kneeling down and praying regardless of what is going on around you) has been the subject of countless jokes, articles, and even a Saturday Night Live skit. This, along with other expressions of his faith (a pro-life super bowl ad, open proselytization), have left many fans wondering if it is just too much.
Tebow will be given a unique opportunity in New York, mainly being used in special packages rather than as a three-down quarterback. Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano made a name for himself running the “wildcat” formation in Miami and it is sure to show up in the playbook next season. Tebow should be helpful in short yardage situations and could give some confusing looks to defenses.
While I see the pros and cons of this move, to me it seems like a bad idea. Sure Tebow may add an x-factor to an otherwise lackluster offense, but it just does not seem worth the side drama involved. Under Rex Ryan, the Jets suffer from an acute lack of chemistry and act more like characters on a Spanish soap opera than professional football players. I can already see headlines of “Sanchez stinks. Bring in Tebow,” tearing this team even further apart. I don’t think this will work out well for anyone. I’m sure Jets fans have strong opinions on this topic. What do you think of the trade?
Shortlink:
