Bruschi is Right: Tebow Should Back Media Presence Down

Jun 7, 2012; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow (15) and quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) walk off the field after the New York Jets organized team activities at the Atlantic Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE

Tim Tebow has had a big media presence since his arrival, as was to be expected. Anyone with that big of a following nationally, is going to garner big time media attention.

That prompted former Patriots star Tedy Bruschi to comment last week, on the fact that Tebow should back up a little bit, and defer more to starting quarterback Mark Sanchez. He talked about how it would take away any fuel that a quarterback controversy might have, but reducing his presence with the media.

Bruschi is absolutely right.

Take away all of the hype and surrounding noise for a minute. Scrape away Tebowmania, his legions of fans, his religion, his beliefs. Take away all of that for a minute, and what do you have left?

You have a backup quarterback. That is what you have. A backup quarterback.

Tim Tebow has talked about that he is understanding his role, that he is trying to improve as a football player, and that Mark is the starting quarterback. That is fine.

Contrast that with the fact that Tebow is having news conferences after practice, and then you have a strange situation. Think about this. Have you ever seen another backup QB giving press conferences? Of course not. Do you think Tom Brady would stand for his backup giving press conferences? No chance.

How about Peyton Manning? That happy man would go through the roof if Curtis Painter was giving press conferences on his watch.

The blame for all of this is not on Tim Tebow. A lot of the blame has to fall on the Jets organization itself. The Jets love media attention, and whether they admit it or not, that was one of the driving forces to bringing Tim Tebow into town. Therefore, the odds of the Jets limiting his media availability are about as good as they are that I will be the next Jets starting quarterback.

And if you don’t know me, those odds are very, very bad.

However, Tim Tebow could defer to Mark Sanchez with the way he handles the media. As Bruschi said on “NFL 32”, he could say “not today”. Not for every question, just as he is asked about the offense. He could defer to the starting quarterback when talking about the progress of the offense, and similar subjects.

The Jets should also not be giving him full press conferences after practice, as it sends a mixed message. Rex Ryan has become even more vocal about the fact that this is Mark Sanchez’s team, which is great. But, the backup is giving press conferences?

It doesn’t happen. It just doesn’t make sense.

The Jets love media attention, this is not in dispute. A big part of why Tim Tebow is here is the media attention he brings.

However, it needs to be tempered by the priorities of the football team. Mark Sanchez is the quarterback of this football team. This also, according to the Jets, is not in dispute.

Therefore, the bulk of the media attention should be going to Mark Sanchez, not to both of them.

It doesn’t make sense.

Unless, this previous post is true:

Mike Tannenbaum’s Comments Prove Mark Sanchez is Set Up to Fail