Jets add a lefty
By Eric Wilkins, Staff Writer
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen Peyton Manning landed in Denver and finally put pen to paper on a near nine-figure contract, John Elway—the executive vice president of football operations for the Broncos—could be heard for miles around screaming in joy. But unlike most other Bronco fans, Elway was not screaming because they had just signed one of the best QB’s in the game. No, he was celebrating the fact that a certain Mr. Tebow would soon be packing his bags. Tim Tebow. The only man in the state of Colorado who had ever even begun to threaten overtaking the great legacy of the legendary number seven. Love him or hate him, Tebow is a polarizing figure. Elway knew this. By bringing in Manning, Elway not only secured one of the game’s best ever, but he also did away with any threat to his position at the top of the Broncos’ pyramid of reverence. Manning will only manage another three years at best, and Tebow was traded for a bag of peanuts and a fistful of cash. Well played, John.
Criticism of Elway aside, this is the start of an interesting new journey for Tebow. The young QB is now in New York as a member of the Jets. Christianity comes to the Big Apple as it were. I haven’t kept up with my religious readings since high school, but I’m pretty sure the last time an apple was brought up it didn’t turn out so well.
[quote style=”boxed”]Trading for Tebow isn’t just inviting a quarterback controversy. It’s asking for it.[/quote]
Personally, I’m not sure what to make of the gunslinger’s new predicament. Yes, he’s away from Elway, but where is he now? The lefty finds himself as the apparent backup to the ever underwhelming Mark Sanchez on a football team with no wide receivers outside of Santonio-more-trouble-than-he’s-worth-Holmes. With Sanchez fresh off a fat contract extension, things look bleak for Tebow. Bleak until you realize who the offensive coordinator is.
Ah yes, Tony Sparano, the proud inventor of the Wildcat offense late in the last decade. The offense that was copied by everyone and anyone who didn’t have an all-star QB. It should come as no surprise that this offense fizzled out shortly after. When you run the same offense as the other team, you know how to stop it. Weird that.
But, of course, now with Tebow in the fold, head coach Rex Ryan has given Sparano his full support in resurrecting his catty offense. Nine lives I suppose. Ryan has gone on record as saying that Tebow can expect as many as 20 snaps a game. While this number still falls well short of a catchy a capella group, it would suggest to me that the head honchos in the Jets’ organization are more than willing to give Tebow a decent shot.
The contract numbers indicate that Sanchez is the unquestionable starter. Management (and ownership) generally are fairly firm on numbers. In this case however, the door seems to be cracked open more than a tad for Tebow to take the job. Trading for Tebow isn’t just inviting a quarterback controversy. It’s asking for it. With Tebow and his cult-following (oh the irony of being strong in his beliefs) in town, it won’t take long into the season before fans are chanting his name, and booing Sanchez.
Tebow gave fans quite a ride last year. I can’t wait for what’s in store for the future.
