Once Again, Tebow Time is Not the Answer

Oct 28, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow (15) fakes a handoff to New York Jets running back Jonathan Grimes (21) during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at MetLIfe Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE

I was beginning to think this was a dead issue, but apparently it is not. You would think that Rex Ryan’s consistent backing of Mark Sanchez would indicate that this is not worth discussing anymore, but apparently, we still have to. Take a look at my TL on Twitter every once in a while, and this is still very much an issue. The numbers are growing day by day, the Jets fans that want Mark Sanchez benched, and Tim Tebow annointed as the starter.

Before all of the Tebow fans call me a Sanchez apologist, read the entire article, then make your call. I am not, nor have I ever, said that Mark Sanchez is perfect. He is far from it, to be honest with you. He is maddeningly inconsistent, and his decision making makes all of us wonder from time to time. He will make a beautiful throw, and then follow it up with a throw where he attempts to place it through 3 defenders. Mark has not taken steps forward as an elite quarterback, period. There is no denying that. Mark Sanchez is not above being benched. My point here, and yet again, is that Mark Sanchez should not be benched for THIS quarterback. A viable backup, yes. But not this one.

TEBOW TIME IS NOT THE ANSWER

Tim Tebow led the Denver Broncos on a magical run in 2011. You would have to be blind to not admit that. He took a football team that was dead in the water at 1-4, and led them to the playoffs, and a first round playoff win. Nobody can ever take that accomplishment off of Tim Tebow’s NFL resume, and he should be commended for it. But, let’s take a look at the team that he had, and compare it to the team that he has now.

Last year, he had Willis McGahee behind him. Not elite, but certainly a workhorse running back that can get the job done, no? He is a viable weapon in the running game, that cannot be denied. The Jets? Shonn Greene. A guy that we all know is NOT a workhorse. The Jets lead running back is a change of pace running back at best, and we all know it. This is the running back that Tim Tebow will have behind him if he takes over as the quarterback. Is this the dynamic running back that will be a viable weapon in the “read option”? No. What about the offensive line? Does the Jets offensive line perform any where close to the level of the Broncos? Absolutely not. Sorry folks, the team is not going to magically step up and become world beaters, thanks to the “great” Tim Tebow. It doesn’t work that way.

October 15, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) warms up prior to the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

Let’s talk about offensive weapons on the outside. In Denver, he had Demaryius Thomas. This is the guy that he won the playoff game with. I know everyone talks about how great a deep ball Tim throws, and I agree he throws a good one. But let’s be honest, in the playoff game, Tebow throw a 15-20 yard pass to Thomas and he took it the rest of the way. Let’s not give Tebow more credit for that playoff game than he deserves. Where are the dynamic offensive weapons on the outside for the Jets? Stephen Hill? Maybe, but he’s not ready, drops too many balls. Kerley? Close. Schilens? Nope, drops too many. Clyde Gates? Who knows. Dustin Keller? Yes, a proven offensive weapon if he can stay healthy. But despite the feelings about a backup quarterback, his weapons don’t magically get better by him walking into the game.

And everybody talks about this “spark” that he adds. “He’s a leader.”, is the statement I have to hear all day long. In the words of my colleague, Sean L Durham, “Stop!” Being a leader is one thing, forget his leadership style and look at his stats. His ability to complete passes is no better than Mark Sanchez. It’s not like they are bringing in a guy with a 70% completion percentage. He doesn’t have the personnel to lead his offense, and he CAN’T lead a traditional offense.

It’s time to wake up to the facts. The Tebow fans want Mark fans to be honest about Mark. Well, how about being honest about Tim?

Let’s take it a step further, and forget all of that. Let’s say that despite all of this, the Jets bench Mark Sanchez and bring Tim Tebow in to start. Despite the fact they don’t have the right pieces, they go to the Tim Tebow offense. Think for a second, what have we been complaining about all season? The PLAYCALLING! People have said that Tony Sparano is a less creative playcaller than Brian Schottenheimer. What makes you think that even if Tebow was the starter, the playcalling would improve? Is Tony Sparano going to be come a magical, dynamic playcaller all of a sudden? I don’t see it.

Oct 28,2012; London, UNITED KINGDOM; New England Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wilfork (75) tries to get past St. Louis Rams guard Shelley Smith (66) in the 2012 NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Rams 45-7. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

Let’s talk about the goals of this New York Jets team. Obviously, it’s to win the Super Bowl. But in the short term, the goal is to win the AFC East, and earn at least one home playoff game, right? Who does that mean we need to knock off? The New England Patriots. If we can all agree that the Patriots are the hurdle that the Jets need to climb, let’s take a look at how the “great” Tim Tebow has performed as starting quarterback against the Patriots:

12/18/11 11-22 for 194 yards, 0 TDs

01/14/12 9-26 for 136 yards, no TDs, sacked 5 times

I’m not saying that Mark Sanchez is the answer, the answer might not be on the roster. But Tim Tebow is the answer? Absolutely not. And by the way, if the Jets had ANY trust in Tebow to throw the football, don’t you think they would have let him do so already?

Mark Sanchez is not Joe Montana. Nor is he Peyton Manning. If you believe that is how I feel, you are not reading the posts carefully. Mark Sanchez is a flawed QB. The point here, is that Tim Tebow is just as flawed. He is not a good quarterback, and the fans with blind faith in this guy need to open their eyes. Tebow time is going to change NOTHING. Sorry.