Tim Tebow was Dead Wrong Sunday

Dec. 23, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow (15) runs off the field after the game against the San Diego Chargers at MetLife Stadium. Chargers won 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

First of all, before I get into the meat of this topic, let me say this: this has nothing to do with Tim Tebow the person, or the religious man. I have no issues at all with Tim Tebow the person. I have posted some of his good work, and I love to read when he spends time with underpriviledged fans. He is a person with the highest character you can have. Anyone would be proud to have a child that carries themselves like Tim Tebow. That being said.

Let’s talk about the story that came out this week.

Various sources reported after the game that Tim Tebow asked not to play any “Wildcat” plays, because he was skipped over for the starting quarterback position. That spurred a lot of debate on the topic, especially via Twitter, as to whether or not this could be true. Tebow Nation felt one way, the rest of the world felt another. Later on, Manish Mehta of the NY Daily News reported that it was actually a problem earlier in the week, but by Friday, Tebow said he was “willing” to run his package of plays. I submit this, whatever the situation actually was, which we will never know, doesn’t matter. The fact that it became an issue is wrong. Tebow was dead wrong.

Let’s talk about the resounding excuse, “well the Jets lied to him”. That may very well be true. We will never know exactly what was said to Tim in convincing him to come to New York, but the general feeling is that he was told that he would have a chance to play. After all, he was technically the “backup” quarterback on the depth chart. The feeling during the offseason was that he chose the Jets because he would have more of a chance to play thanks to Mark’s inconsistency. But, that didn’t happen, he was passed over for Greg McElroy.

Even if that is true, it doesn’t give Tim the right to say he won’t play. Two wrongs don’t make a right.  This is professional sports, depth charts aren’t written in stone. Just because he was listed as the “backup” quarterback, doesn’t mean Rex Ryan is required to use him if he benches the first string. That’s HIS decision, not Tim’s. This isn’t pee-wee football. What is he going to do, call his Mom and tell him that the coach said he won’t start so now he wants to quit the team? This is professional sports. If the coach calls on you to run five snaps, you run those five snaps the best you can. Period. You don’t dictate your playing time. You earn your playing time.

This behavior also shows Tim to be a phony as well. Sorry Tebow Nation, it does. When he got here, how many times did he say he was “excited” to be a member of the New York Jets? He gave us chapter and verse about how he wanted to do anything the team asked of him in order to win. He really liked Rex Ryan, and wanted to win a championship. That is all he is concerend about, he told us. He didn’t want to be a distraction. Well, how did that work out? He doesn’t want to play his Wildcat packages? Yeah, that’s a great teammate. Maybe there is a reason that comments started to come out of Denver after he was gone. By asking not to play, if true, did NOTHING to improve his image.

Those of you who read my posts know that this isn’t a new opinion for me. I never liked this move, and the issue culminated on Sunday with this story. Tebow was wrong, dead wrong. Thankfully, it looks like he will be sent packing following the end of the season.