Tim Tebow may be used as kick returner and on coverage team as NY Jets ... - New York Daily News

Julio Cortez/AP

While Tim Tebow (15) will backup Mark Sanchez at the QB position, his overall role with the NY Jets could be evolving.

The mystery behind Tim Tebow's countless roles with the Jets may include a wrinkle that has flown under the radar. Although the Jets brass has openly discussed his value as the team's personal punt protector and backup quarterback, coaches have also bounced around the idea of using their newest versatile weapon in a different capacity on special teams: kickoffs.

"I think there might be some value there on kickoff returns," assistant special teams coach Ben Kotwica told me. "It's something that we've talked about. I don't think there's any option with Tim that we've taken off the table. So, that would be something that would be new to him as well. In what we've asked him to do as the personal protector (right now), he's done an excellent job."

Kotwica doesn't believe that Tebow's larger frame â€" he weighed 249 pounds during minicamp last month with an eye on playing this season around 250 â€" will hinder his speed on the punt or kickoff coverage team.

"Of course, you got to be able to cover," Kotwica said. "The aggressiveness and speed… he's got it. You watch him run down the field and he's one of the first guys down there."

Kotwica isn't overly concerned about Tebow's ability to consistently tackle on coverage teams, either.

"When he's in coverage, he'll be looking to tackle the returner," Kotwica said. "And from what I've seen, I've got a pretty high degree of confidence that he would be able to do that."

Tebow's role on offense and special teams will come into focus during training camp, a role that may also include a spot on kickoffs.

"There's certain guys that… if you ask them to go be the personal protector, you go ask them to be the fullback, you ask them to be the quarterback, you ask them to be the tight end, they simply get things done," Kotwica said. "I think you'd be hard pressed to say that Tim is not one of those guys that gets things done."