The Reality of the Tim Tebow/Mark Sanchez Situation

Oct 21, 2012; Foxboro, MA, USA; New York Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano (left) talks with quarterbacks Tim Tebow (15) and Mark Sanchez (6) during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Farrell/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE

Tim Tebow, Mark Sanchez, the war rages on in Jets Nation. Should the Jets make a move? Is it Tebow Time? Back off, Mark Sanchez will get it done! Nobody gives Mark any credit! The debate continues, with no end in sight. One thing is for sure, this topic is here to stay, and will not go away until the season is over. That is one reality of the situation.

But this morning, I want to take a look at another reality of this situation. Any of you that read our stuff, especially mine, or follow us on Twitter, know exactly how I feel about this debate. You know which side I fall on, that isn’t the point. This morning’s point is that, if you look at the way the situation has played out so far, a second reality is abundantly clear.

Tim Tebow will never be the starter here in New York.

Why do I say that? Let’s take a the situation as it has played out so far.

We can forget the use of Tebow from the preseason, how they only used him as a traditional quarterback. It baffled all of us back then, but they told us all about how there was this “secret plan” for Tim. They wouldn’t practice it in public because they didn’t want anybody to see it. Fine. How has that worked out so far?

I guess the secret has been that they were going to have him hand off and play special teams, because that is all we have seen so far. Tim Tebow has been a great asset on the punt team, the threat of the fake is always there, and paid dividends. But there has been no creativity with the offensive usage, has there? Whether he has played 5 snaps, or 10 snaps, or whatever the number has been so far, it has not been creative. He has thrown one pass, other than that, we have seen all running plays. There was a movie with Ben Stiller where he said the “no-plan plan”. Is that what the Jets are on with Tim Tebow on offense? If the Jets have no plan to use him now, what makes anyone think they are going to turn to him full time? They aren’t.

Evidence point one that Tim will not start for this team.

October 21, 2012; Foxboro, MA USA; New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow (15) rushes with the ball during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-US PRESSWIRE

Secondly, there have been obvious times where it should have been “Tebow time”, but it wasn’t. How about the 49ers game, when the Jets were down, early or late? While the game was in doubt, and Mark Sanchez was having a terrible football game, it certainly would have been a chance to bring Tebow in to try and ignite a park, wouldn’t it? How about when the game is out of hand? In a 34-0 game, it would be hardly the first time that a team takes its starting quarterback out to prevent injury. Yet, still no Tebow. Think about it. If they aren’t going to give the guy snaps during garbage time, what makes anyone thing they are going to turn the team over to him. Let that go through your brain. They won’t even give the guy a garbage snap, but they are going to turn the offense over to him? Not likely.

Don’t forget how they talked about how Tim Tebow is going to be a red zone threat. Remember that? Fast forward to the game in New England. It’s third and two from the three yard line. The Jets in the game had some success running against the Patriots defense. If you aren’t going to go with Shonn Greene, who hasn’t missed on third and short, this is a PERFECT time for Tebow. Seems like this is the spot where you are going to bring in this great “redzone” threat. Still nothing. The sideline he remains. This is the guy they are going to trust the team to? Not happening, folks.

Finally, you can blame Rex Ryan as well. A lot of people talk about how loyal Rex is to Mark Sanchez. There is no doubt that he is loyal to Sanchez. The first big move of the Rex Ryan era was to move up in the 2009 draft to get Mark. Maybe loyalty is causing Rex not to make the change. What if it is? If Rex is so loyal that he doesn’t bring in Tim Tebow for an appropriate play, what makes you think that his loyalty will change, allowing him to bench Mark in favor of Tebow? Doubtful.

The debate will go on, this I have no doubt. I am not using this to give my view, fact is that there are valid points to be made on both sides of the coin. However, what I am saying is that the debate is moot. The evidence so far is that the Jets coaches do not want Tebow around, and the move was all about Woody Johnson. Maybe this will end up being deterimental to the team, but the change will not be made. Tebow won’t be the starter here. If they aren’t using him now, they aren’t making that kind of move.