If the New York Jets experiment works, and Mark Sanchez continues to play the way he did in Week 1â€"mind you, I'm still not soldâ€"then Tim Tebow will have to leave if he's to ever get a fair shot at being a starting QB in the NFL.
Tebow deserves to be more than a gadget player, or a career backup. He's had too much team success to never give him a shot at being a starter.
When he's had the chance to start, he's been decent. His record is 9-7 when he's been given the keys to the team, and that includes a playoff victory. This success came in Denver where the Broncos were dragged kicking and screaming into the very short Tebow-era.
Trying to build a conventional offense around Tebow is a waste of time. He needs a philosophy tailored for his unique skill set. That said, he also needs to continue to develop his passing, and fundamentals.
He'll never be the most pure passer in the world, but he doesn't need to be.
Tebow needs a strong running game, possession receivers, and an O-Line that can adapt to his improvisation. Most importantly, he needs a coaching staff that is willing to tailor their philosophy to his strengths.
You're seeing some of this with Cam Newton. The Panthers had great success on the offensive side of the ball by allowing Newton to be himself. In 2011 Newton accounted for 35 touchdowns in Carolina.
Don't get me wrong, Newton is far more talented than Tebow as a throwing quarterback, but the flexibility in playcalling would help Tebow.
Does Tebow need to leave New York to get a fair shot at starting?
Does Tebow need to leave New York to get a fair shot at starting?
-
Yes
-
No
-
Maybe, but he doesn't deserve to start
Tebow doesn't need to be part of the drama in New York. He needs to land in a city via trade or free agency that says "you're our quarterback." The Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals were prepared to hand their starting quarterback jobs over to men that have accomplished less than Tebow.
Matt Flynn was beat out for the job this year in preseason by Russell Wilson, but a competition was not the original plan. Kevin Kolb initially lost his job with the Cardinals midway through the 2011 season, but when he arrived in Arizona he was brought there to be the man.
Flynn had one start before nearly being handed the job, and Kolb had seven starts in Philadelphia before the Cards tabbed him as the man. If they got a shot, why can't Tebow get his?
If Tebow gets a fair shake and falls flat we'll know his bottom line. At that point then maybe a positional change or acceptance of a reserved role will be in order. I admit it is a risk to place that much trust in him, but he's already shown enough to get a job with some security.
Follow Brian Mazique and Franchiseplay on YouTube and Twitter for reactions, analysis and news from the world of sports and sports video games
No comments:
Post a Comment