How the Tim Tebow Experiment CAN Work for the New York Jets
By Alan Schechter
Mar 26; Florham Park, NJ, USA; Newly acquired New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow addresses the media at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE
I know I have had a strong opinion against this in the past. I have made that abundantly clear in various posts. However, with Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow meeting the media today, I was giving this a lot of thought. I was also having a conversation with a football fan friend of mind, and some ideas came to my head. Specifically, the idea of how, if done correctly, the Tim Tebow experiment actually can work for the Jets, and work out quite well.
First, is his use on the special teams. Specifically, his use as the personal punt protector. I know it sounds odd, but this has the chance to make the punt team very dangerous. Think about it, if Tebow is the protector on a punt on say, 4th and 5 from the 48 yard line, the fear of a fake has to be in the other team’s head, doesn’t it? Heck, with his ability to run, as well as make the big play, the fake has to be considered on any punt when he is the punt protector. This will always give the element of surprise, and the threat alone with give TJ Conley or whoever the punter is a bit of extra time to punt.
Now let’s talk about the “Wildcat”. We know that it is going to be used. They have used it in the past, they certainly will now. The question is how they will use it.
I believe they need to use it with both Tebow and Sanchez on the field. Tim Tebow is not an accurate passer, so if Sanchez comes out of the game, the odds of a pass play being called goes way down, in my opinion.
If they run it with both quarterbacks on the field, think about the options that come available. Will Tebow run? Will Tebow option the ball to a running back or WR? Will Mark Sanchez be involved? He could take the ball on a reverse and throw it. Heck, they could shock everybody and throw it to him.
There even would be the threat of standard running or passing plays. Throw it out there, make the defense think about it. Set up the thought that, just because Tebow is on the field, it doesn’t mean that the option is coming necessarily.
What is the moral of the story?
Will the Tim Tebow experiment work? That jury is still out until they take the field. But, CAN it work? Yes it can. It very much can work.
I, as I am sure all of you, really hope it does.