Rex Ryan says that Mark Sanchez is the starting quarterback for the New York Jets. In the same breath, he says that Tim Tebow will play a significant role--taking as many as 20 snaps per game. If Rex is going to split playing time between the two quarterbacks he is going to run into problems. Giving Tebow upwards of a third of the snaps per game will require a third of the resources given to the starting quarterback to be given to Tim Tebow.
Splitting resources
Mark Sanchez as the starting quarterback needs the practice time and the preseason time in order to be ready for each game. If the Jets give one-third of this time to Tim Tebow it decreases his ability to perform well in each game. There has to be a rhythm between a quarterback and his receivers. Diverting this time to a backup player hurts the starter and sets Sanchez up for failure.
Giving Tim Tebow a third of the starting quarterback resources sends an unclear message. Is he the starter or not? The Jets have enough problems in the locker room. Indecision about the quarterback is not going to help.
Mark Sanchez
One of the biggest problems Mark Sanchez had in 2011 is that he consistently threw behind his receivers. He needs all the time he can get to rectify this situation prior to the start of the 2012 season. On a positive note, he connected well with Plaxico Burress in the red-zone. If the Jets start to move the red-zone plays away from Sanchez, this rhythm will be lost.
Tim Tebow
Tebow has his strong points. Throwing isn't one of them. That is why the Jets are looking to bring back "ground and pound." Using Tim Tebow for the occasional play is a good thing. He could be effective in the Wildcat or on an options play, but it is unheard of for a team to guarantee a backup quarterback playing time in every game.
Being able to run and pull off a surprise play does not make for a starting quarterback. The Jets are sending Tebow conflicting messages and it is only going to lead to problems in the locker room.
Giving Tim Tebow one-third of the resources allotted for the starting quarterback makes little sense. By splitting time between the two, neither one can succeed. This is not enough time to develop Tebow into a starter and it is not enough time to allow Mark Sanchez to become a better quarterback. All the Jets are doing here is setting both men up for failure.
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Lynda Altman grew up just outside of New York City. She has been a Jets fan all of her life and hopes they have a winning season in 2012. You can contact her @LdyJetsFan on Twitter.
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