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Friday, August 31, 2012

How the New York Jets Can Best Help Tim Tebow Play to His Strengths - Bleacher Report

Tim Tebow can be one of the most dynamic players in the NFL if used properly, though he looks nothing like a modern NFL quarterback when he's at his best.

If the New York Jets continue having major issues with pass-protection, Mark Sanchez is going to have a tough time winning games. It's a shame, too, because the team is strong defensively and is capable of becoming a dominant unit in 2012. 

If the passing game can't convert third downs and is rendered incompetentâ€"as has been the case thus far in the preseasonâ€"the defense will spend too much time on the field. If the defense gets tired, teams will wear it down late in games.

Even the best brick walls can't stand up to repeated blows from a sledgehammer.

If this nightmare of a scenario becomes reality for the Jets early on in 2012, the team's best option at quarterback will be Tebow, and here is what Tony Sparano needs to do should the need arise.

Shotgun, Baby

Hi-res-149348015_crop_exactNOOOOOOO
Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Tebow should never, ever be allowed to operate from directly behind center...unless, of course, he's handing the ball off to a running back. He doesn't see the field well as it is, and making him concentrate on his footwork while he's trying to go through his progressions sets him up to fail.

Getting him in the shotgun allows Tebow to see more of the field initially, and if Sparano keeps things simple for him he can actually make some nice plays in the passing game. 

KISS (Keep it Simple, Stupid) and Take Shots Downfield

This is what happens when Tebow has more than two reads.

Tebow needs a simplified playbook in the passing game.

If he's forced to go through more than two or three reads, he loses consciousness and forgets what he was doing. Sometimes this triggers surprising successes, but more often than not these are the plays that end up looking like a bad accident. 

Tebow just isn't a pocket passer, and the less you treat him like one the better it's going to be for the entire offense.

That said, Tebow has an uncanny ability to hit the deep pass on occasion, and the speed of rookie Stephen Hill shouldn't be wasted. Sparano needs to take at least five-to-ten shots downfield when Tebow's in the game. 

Establish the Run, and Don't Let Tebow Throw More Than 20 Times

Hi-res-6523202_crop_exactEd Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE

Establishing a running game is all about attitude. That should be no problem for a Rex Ryan-led team, but the running game was notably absent in 2011. The team finished the season ranked 22nd in the NFL in yards and 30th in yards per attempt. 

In fact, while I'm on the subject, this team needs to start running the ball more often and more effectively no matter who's behind center...but, I digress.

Tebow needs defenses to be geared up for the run in order to be effective as a passer. Once defenses start dedicating eight and nine defenders to stop the run, receivers inevitably find themselves wide open at some pointâ€"so wide open, in fact, that even Tebow can't miss (most of the time). 

A good ratio when Tebow is in the game is 35-to-65, with the running game getting the 65 percent. 

Will the Jets Call on Tebow at any point in place of Mark Sanchez?

Will the Jets Call on Tebow at any point in place of Mark Sanchez?

  • Yes

  • No

A Tebow-led offense is only as effective as the team's rushing attack. If he's forced to sit back and throw the ball, nine times out of 10 he's going to fail miserably. 

Last season with the Denver Broncos when Tebow was asked to throw the ball more than 20 times per game, he completed 82-of-200 passes (41 percent) for 1,132 yards (5.66 yards per attempt) with seven touchdowns and six interceptions.

Tebow didn't throw a single interception in any games that he attempted 20 passes or less. 

If I were Sparano, though, I'd make it really simple and just use the same playbook Urban Meyer did at Florida...

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78

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Jacksonville's Dreams Come True, Tim Tebow boost spirits of another ill youth ... - Florida Times-Union (blog)

For the second week in a row, an ill Florida youth's wish to meet Tim Tebow was granted at a New York Jets game.

At the Jets' Thursday night preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Garrett Leopold, 15, of Mulberry met the backup quarterback and former Nease High School and University of Florida star, according to a news release. They spent time together at pre-game warm-ups and immediately following the game.

The visit was arranged by Jacksonville-based Dreams Come True, which fulfills the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesss, and the Tim Tebow Foundation's W15H program, which steps in when those dreams are to meet Tebow.

As a baby, Garrett received a heart transplant due to a congenital heart defect. When he turned six, he was also diagnosed with a form of cancer called Burkitt’s Lymphoma. After four months of intense chemotherapy, Garrett was cancer free. But he is currently awaiting another heart procedure, according to the release.

“Our hearts were lightened with the news that our son will have another blessing to share through another storm. Garret is excited to see Tim, who is not just a warrior on the field, but a true beacon of hope to kids that are more familiar with the beeps of machines and monitors than the lights and whistle beeps of a football field,” Susan Leopold, Garrett’s mother, said in the release.

Garrett will return home with a W15H gift package that includes exclusive W15H luggage, a Nike duffle bag, gift cards for Nike and Jockey, Tim Tebow’s book, a Florida Gators 2008 National Championship book, a personalized bible and more, according to the release.

For more information on the Dreams Come True and Tebow Foundation programs, go to dreamscometrue.org and timtebowfoundation.org.

At the Jets' game against the Carolina Panthers Aug. 26, Tebow fulfilled the dream of a Clermont youth who overcame a devastating cancer diagnosis and wanted to meet him.

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Tim Tebow vs. Mark Sanchez: Latest Buzz and Opinion on Jets' Dynamic Duo - Bleacher Report

In case you live under a rock and haven't heard, the New York Jets acquired Tim Tebow this offseason by trading a fifth-round draft pick to the Denver Broncos. It can be argued whether this move was made for football purposes, or for Gang Green's incessant need to be under the media spotlight.

Regardless, for the deal to pay dividends on the field, the team is going to have to find an effective way to use him.

Though Tebow undoubtedly brings a new dimension to a Jets offense that has been stagnant throughout the preseason, the move is still perplexing on multiple levels. Not only do the Jets already have a young, developing quarterback in Mark Sanchez, but Tebow's 46.5 completion percentage in 2011 ranked last among NFL starting quarterbacks. He was ranked 28th in quarterback rating, coming in at a measly 72.9.

At perhaps the most important position on the gridiron, the Jets have created a quarterback competition between two players who have looked painstakingly inept in new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano's system. The team still swears by Sanchez as the starter, but in this league and in this city, things change virtually overnight.  

Let's take a look at a few quarterback attributes and decide who has the advantage as the team prepares for the regular season.

Arm Strength


Former Denver Bronco's quarterback Tim Tebow.

Let's start off by saying neither of these players has elite arm strength.

No general manager, scout, coach or player will mistake Sanchez or Tebow for Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady. When it comes to NFL quarterbacks, Sanchez and Tebow are undoubtedly in the lower-echelon in terms of passing talent.

That being said, Tebow has the arm strength to make every throw that an NFL quarterback needs to make, while Sanchez does not. 

Skip to the one-minute mark in the video above. Tebow runs a play-action pass and throws a 33-yard rocket into double coverage to Brandon Lloyd in the end zone. However, if you account for Tebow's drop and that the ball was caught at the back pylon, this pass was actually thrown more than 50 yards.

Although the throw was ill-advised, it takes a considerable amount of arm strength to throw the ball that far with that kind of velocity. Tebow has  several deficiencies in his game, but arm strength is not one of them.

On the other hand, Sanchez has problems doing anything but throwing anything other than short passes  over the middle of the field. His limited arm strength restricts the plays the Jets can run, which has more than likely been a major contributing factor to the Jets' noted offensive woes the past few seasons.

Better Arm Strength: Tebow

Accuracy


ESPN's Ron Jaworski breaks down Mark Sanchez's skill-set.

Accuracy is what separates good NFL quarterbacks from great ones. The ability to fit the ball into painfully tight windows is perhaps the most coveted skill that scouts look for in young prospects. While neither Tebow nor Sanchez has ever been heralded for his accuracy, there is a significant talent gap between the two in this category.

Tebow's dismal 46.5 completion percentage in 2011 means one of two things. Either he is the least accurate quarterback in the NFL or the poorest decision-maker. If you watched the tape on the previous slide, you probably realize that it's a combination of both.

Not only does Tebow's skill set keep an offense back from being successful, but his inexperience causes him to make reckless decisions throwing the ball.

On the other hand, Sanchez has the ability to make plays over the middle of the field. As stated in the video above, Sanchez thrives on seam routes and slipping the ball down the field in between the coverages.

At times, his arm strength can inhibit the success of the offense. However, Sanchez can be lethal if he makes the correct read.

Better Accuracy: Sanchez

Mobility


New York Jet's quarterback Tim Tebow throws an interception.

Obviously, Tebow is, by far, more mobile than Sanchez. Although the Jets' poor offensive line play in 2011 did force Sanchez to become slightly more agile, ebow's ability to make plays while scrambling outside of the pocket is perhaps the only thing keeping him in the NFL. 

That said, defensive coordinators have become more privy to Tebow's tendencies. In the video above, we see the Carolina Panthers push the pocket to Tebow's left, and even stunt with a defensive end, while opening up the entire right side of the field for Tebow.

As Tebow rolls right, he is presented with two options. He could either run for a marginal gain or throw  across his body and into coverage. Although he probably should have tucked the ball and run, he elects to float the ball up for an easy interception.

Forcing mobile quarterbacks to roll out to their off-hand side is not a new strategy. The New York Giants have been using that method to contain Michael Vick for years. Not only does it limit a quarterback's receiving options, it also cuts the field in half and allows less room to scramble.

This was a designed play by the Panthers. Not only did they force Tebow to his off-hand side, but they rolled their coverage to the right in order to come up with the interception. In fact, by the time the ball is picked off, there are five Panthers in the frame waiting for the ball.

This was a brilliant play by Carolina, and Tebow will undoubtedly see it again this season. It should be interesting to see how adjusts his decision-making the next time around.

Better Mobility: Tebow

Pocket Awareness

Tebow was sacked 24 times in just 12 starts for the Denver Broncos in 2011. Obviously, poor pass protection was a problem. With that, Tebow's mobility causes team's to blitz more, which results in him being brought down in the pocket more than most other quarterbacks.

However, a good quarterback knows how to either get rid of the ball quickly or throw it away and live to fight another play. Tebow has repeatedly shown an inability to avoid pressure, which puts his team in too many long down-and-distance situations. He needs to vastly improve in this area in order to see time as a starting quarterback.

Sanchez also has his issues in the pocket as well. Not only does he have a tendency to hold the ball for too long, but he is one of the worst quarterbacks in the league under pressure. In fact, while under pressure in 2011, Sanchez completed a mere 36.1 percent of his passes for a meager 3.4 yards per attempt. Obviously, those are unacceptable statistics that must be improved upon in 2012.

It's difficult to say who excels more in this area. Both players have major deficiencies. However, Sanchez at least had the ability to get the ball out of his hands and avoid a sack. While he does not complete most of those passes, it keeps the down-and-distance in a manageable range.

Better Pocket Awareness: Sanchez

Who's the Better Overall Quarterback?

New York Jets' quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow.
New York Jets' quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow.
Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Unfortunately for the New York Jets, their quarterback play will only go as far as the offensive line allows. Neither Sanchez nor Tebow has the ability play effectively behind a poor offensive line.

With the departure of Wayne Hunter, the Jets may well see an improvement in their offensive line performance in 2012.

If Sanchez is allowed time to throw in the pocket, he has the ability to become a successful NFL quarterback. In fact, despite intense media scrutiny, Sanchez had his best statistical season last year. He is the best all-around quarterback on Gang Green's roster, and he deserves the opportunity to further develop throughout the course of the upcoming season.

However, if the Jets' poor offensive line play continues, Tebow could be the best option behind center. In this scenario, Sanchez's 3.4 yards per attempt under pressure would not be helping anyone. Putting a more mobile quarterback into the game could help address those issues. That being said, the Jets are going nowhere if the offensive line underperforms.

Sanchez has been to two AFC Championship games. He has proven he can win in the NFL. Obviously, he has several areas of weakness and has serious room for improvement in almost all aspects of his game.

That said, he has emerged as a leader both on and off the field, and for what the Jets gave up to draft him, Sanchez should be the starter for the duration of Gang Green's 2012 campaign.

Better Overall Quarterback: Sanchez

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