A USEFUL DISTRACTION - ESPN

A USEFUL DISTRACTION

By Matt Ehalt
ESPNNewYork.com
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The 11 yards were a bonus.

The real difference Tim Tebow made in the Jets' win over the Bills was the effect he had on the Bills' preparation coming into this game. The Bills looked like a team that was caught off guard by the Jets' passing attack, and that certainly has to tie to Tebow.

No, the Jets are not going to reinvent the NFL with the Wildcat. But, by having Tebow, they will force teams to practice for it each week. Buffalo had to. Even if the Jets don't run it that much, like on Sunday, defenses have to prepare for it. A task made more difficult for Buffalo because they hadn't seen it yet.

Tebow also helped create a misconception about the Jets' offense. His addition was supposed to be part of the devotion to the Ground & Pound offense. The Jets were committed to the run and had this brand-new weapon -- or so we thought. Instead, they came out throwing it around like the Green Bay Packers and scored the most points in the NFL this past weekend.

Watching the Bills, they seemed like a team that hadn't expected to be challenged in the air. They were expecting to see high doses of No. 15. Instead, it was No. 6 and his group of receivers. Tebow barely got on the field. All the preparation was for a player who accumulated 11 yards and played one snap at tight end.

After one week, the Tebow acquisition has already paid dividends.

Matt Ehalt is a regular contributor to ESPNNewYork.com.

MINIMAL IMPACT

By Mike Mazzeo
ESPNNewYork.com
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Tim Tebow recovered an onside kick in the fourth quarter.

But otherwise, his contributions in Sunday's 48-28 Week 1 blowout victory over the Bills were minimal.

When Tebow was on the field, the Jets averaged 2.4 yards per play -- including his five carries for 11 yards. Without him, they racked up seven yards per play.

Meanwhile, Mark Sanchez was tremendous, showing poise in the pocket and going 19-of-27 for 266 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

Sure, last season, Jets coach Rex Ryan regretted abandoning Ground & Pound in favor of a more aerial attack. But with speed burners Stephen Hill and Jeremy Kerley at his disposal, Sanchez carved up Buffalo's secondary with several vertical, downfield throws. Hill caught two of his TD passes, while Kerley hauled in the other.

If anything, inserting Tebow and the gimmick offense disrupted Sanchez's rhythm. (Granted, he did have two TD throws following Tebow snaps.) Jets fans even booed Tebow in the second quarter after he was stopped on a run for no gain.

On Sunday, the Jets were clearly at their best with Tebow off the field. The statistics back that up.

Mike Mazzeo is a regular contributor to ESPNNewYork.com.

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