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| Tim Tebow is EXCITED about being a NY Jet/AP Images |
By Joe Diglio
There’s been a huge shift in the AFC East landscape recently. A former starting quarterback has been brought in by one squad, possibly disrupting team chemistry and taking the starting role from the incumbent quarterback. That’s right, David Garrard has come to Miami to challenge Matt Moore.
Ok, fine, that’s not the big news. But unless you’ve been living under a rock bigger than Rex Ryan, you’ve heard that Tim Tebow is now a New York Jet. After Peyton Manning decided to sign with Denver, the Broncos shipped Tebow to the Jets along with a seventh round pick in this year’s draft for the Jets’ fourth and sixth round picks, as well as cash. The money posed a problem initially, as the Jets refused to pay the Broncos $5 million of Tebow’s salary as his contract outlines. The teams agreed to split the money, though, and he was off to New York.
Tebow comes to New York with a lot of baggage, although none of it is particularly bad. Last year the quarterback/running back/messiah became a polarizing figure as he led the Broncos on an improbable ride to a division title. He took over a 1-4 team and won seven of his first eight starts, including six in a row. Tebow had a knack for late game heroics and winning tight games; he led five fourth quarter comebacks and won three overtime games. Denver ended the regular season on a three game losing streak, but won the AFC West nonetheless. Tebow went on to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in his first playoff game, in overtime of course, before bowing out in the divisional round to the New England Patriots.
Telling this side of the Tebow story would make one think he should play over current Jets starter, Mark Sanchez. A look at Tebow’s stats, though, suggest otherwise. He threw for just 1,729 yards and 12 touchdowns against 6 interceptions. And for all the credit Tebow gets as a runner, he had as many rushing touchdowns, six, as Sanchez.
Earlier this offseason, the team expressed its confidence in its former first round selection by extending Sanchez’s contract three years with $20.5 million guaranteed. So for now, he will remain the starter, no matter how “excited” Tebow is to be a Jet (he used the word 45 times during a press conference this week). But don’t be surprised to see Tebow in for gadget plays and the wildcat formation under new offensive coordinator, Tony Sparano. And don’t be surprised if Rex Ryan, who is now facing some heat after missing the playoffs, feels pressured into playing Tebow if things go south. If the Jets didn't have enough drama, between its loudmouth coach and locker room issues, they certainly do now.
Ok, fine, that’s not the big news. But unless you’ve been living under a rock bigger than Rex Ryan, you’ve heard that Tim Tebow is now a New York Jet. After Peyton Manning decided to sign with Denver, the Broncos shipped Tebow to the Jets along with a seventh round pick in this year’s draft for the Jets’ fourth and sixth round picks, as well as cash. The money posed a problem initially, as the Jets refused to pay the Broncos $5 million of Tebow’s salary as his contract outlines. The teams agreed to split the money, though, and he was off to New York.
Tebow comes to New York with a lot of baggage, although none of it is particularly bad. Last year the quarterback/running back/messiah became a polarizing figure as he led the Broncos on an improbable ride to a division title. He took over a 1-4 team and won seven of his first eight starts, including six in a row. Tebow had a knack for late game heroics and winning tight games; he led five fourth quarter comebacks and won three overtime games. Denver ended the regular season on a three game losing streak, but won the AFC West nonetheless. Tebow went on to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in his first playoff game, in overtime of course, before bowing out in the divisional round to the New England Patriots.
Telling this side of the Tebow story would make one think he should play over current Jets starter, Mark Sanchez. A look at Tebow’s stats, though, suggest otherwise. He threw for just 1,729 yards and 12 touchdowns against 6 interceptions. And for all the credit Tebow gets as a runner, he had as many rushing touchdowns, six, as Sanchez.
Earlier this offseason, the team expressed its confidence in its former first round selection by extending Sanchez’s contract three years with $20.5 million guaranteed. So for now, he will remain the starter, no matter how “excited” Tebow is to be a Jet (he used the word 45 times during a press conference this week). But don’t be surprised to see Tebow in for gadget plays and the wildcat formation under new offensive coordinator, Tony Sparano. And don’t be surprised if Rex Ryan, who is now facing some heat after missing the playoffs, feels pressured into playing Tebow if things go south. If the Jets didn't have enough drama, between its loudmouth coach and locker room issues, they certainly do now.
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