It’s not easy being an athlete in New York. It is somewhat a misunderstanding when it comes to the Tim Tebow trade and, as bizarre as it is, he is relocating to a city of drama and craziness. Never is there a dull moment in New York, and with Tebow claiming his citizenship, the media circus has only gotten more berserk.
There is no bigger distraction, even spiritually, in sports other than Tebow simply for shoving his religious beliefs in our faces. It’s all probably for the overexposed Christianity flap-doodle, or for Tebow’s inability to throw with anticipation and only produce enough magic to pull off the miracle. Even though, he’s a charismatic superhero, the holy son of optimism and natural powers, resplendent on the field, he’s the most polarizing human being in sports.
It is, however, awkwardly strange that he ends up in an environment where he will, no doubt, feature extensively on the front page of local newspapers vilified for playing the quarterback position non-traditionally with the type of style not seen too often from a peerless NFL quarterback. If you haven’t been staying on top of things, the flawed quarterback was traded from Denver to the Jets in exchanged for fourth and sixth round picks, including an additional $2.5 million.
The addition of Tebow absolutely creates a plethora of fame, but with all the swirling controversy in an uproarious locker room as players are committed to the blame game, he can either be useful or ineffectual. What happened to the hearsay of him potentially returning home to Florida as Tebow could have polished his career with one of those mediocre franchises in the state where he once was a college legend? What happened to the sensible predictions of him ending up in Miami or even Jacksonville, a pair of NFL teams in desperate need of a quarterback, though the Jaguars are committed to breeding quarterback Blaine Gabbert?
The soon arrival of Tebow, as a situational quarterback and maybe even an inspirational, charismatic voice that motivates and drives starter Mark Sanchez to finally produce in the quarterback role, makes sense to some degree with new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano. It’s a move that seems to be the right fit for an offensive system catering perfectly to Tebow’s singular running style. With Sparano, the creator of the Wildcat formation, Tebow could benefit the Jets. This all may not be such a bad combination when Tebow’s running style complements the Wildcat offense, designed to create a mismatch with a speedy runner against an unprepared defense.
But, then again, he’s in a town where criticism is heavy, in a town where fans and the media can be aggressively finicky and belittling of his mistakes and flaws, such as Tebow’s inability to transform into an elite passer. It’s what Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum and coach Rex Ryan desired and decided to obtain him in a trade to serve as the second-string behind Sanchez, whose paltry performance last season toppled much promise and heated up an ongoing rift in the Jets organization. It’s confusing to see what the Jets saw in Tebow and why the front office felt they needed him, after giving Sanchez a three-year contract extension, which increasingly raised his guaranteed money to $20.5, due to him over the next two seasons.
This isn’t the strangest deal ever, and even if this seems like a perfect fit — in many ways — it makes no sense whatsoever. The more we talk about Tebow, the more he becomes famous to America pop culture, a role model, a pious figure who many admire simply for his good character, dignity and humility. The more we doubt him, the more he’s willing to put time and effort in improving his poor throwing motion. This is what fascinates those who truly eulogize Tebow – either the most likable or polarizing athlete in sports.
It’s notable that he has good work ethic and tremendous appreciation for the game he plays, especially after he was named the Broncos starting quarterback a year ago to replace a struggling Kyle Orton, which resulted in a seven-game winning streak and playoff berth. This has been, no doubt, an interesting offseason – even greater — an intriguing spring for Tebow and the Jets. If this team is trying to develop Sanchez and assure that he turns into a reliable passer, anticipating for him to play skillfully for every penny he’s worth, then bringing in Tebow could initiate disturbance and even reduce his confidence and pride.
In every way, Tebow is moving on to New York and competing for the starting job, in the saddle to take the place of Sanchez if all hell breaks loose next season. If this Tebow trade foils, Ryan is indeed out of a job, as the circus hasn’t left the town since his arrival, known for guaranteeing Super Bowl victories and constant failures. By making this deal, the Jets created unnecessary quarterback controversy, pairing two aspiring quarterbacks all on one franchise in one town.
The Big Apple just became the Circus Big Top.
Trading for Tebow, who had led the Broncos on an incredible run last season, was an insult to Sanchez and it gives us every reason to believe that the Jets are moving in a new direction and could shut the door on him in favor of Timothy Richard Tebow. That’s not only disrespectful — that’s also being disloyal to Sanchez, who the Jets said they deeply love and want as their everyday quarterback. It’s almost like seeing an ex-boyfriend secretly flirting with an unnamed chick while still in a relationship with the girlfriend. The drama exists in New York — it really does — and sadly, the Jets have no trust in Sanchez with a superstar like Tebow waiting in the wings.
As insane as this week has been, regarding the trade talks surrounding Tebow that eventually turned out to be true, these were all sights for which he’ll be used on third and fourth-down plays in most series. The dumbest thing of all of this — even though he can arrive to New York and exemplify a superhero — is that he’s pampered, ennobled and treated like he’s the greatest quarterback on the planet, when in all, he’s nothing more than only a backup to Sanchez at least for the beginning of the season. It almost comes across as if the Jets traded so much talent to receive Tebow when, in reality, they gave the Broncos nothing. The arrival has brought another circus to town, rightfully so.
And, as always, the New York Giants are laughing at the Jets, having all the bragging rights in the world after their recent Super Bowl win. This wasn’t such an intellectual deal, after all. Worse of all it could delay the development of Sanchez, who once was known as Sanchise long before he sputtered and degenerated. Please forgive me if I’m paying no mind about his storybook run with the Broncos. It’s not an overreaction to refresh our memories on what a success he was last season, mastering the role as a quarterback perfectly and had won seven of eight games after the Broncos placed him into the lineup following a 1-4 start.
He’s not your average quarterback. As we all know, his mechanics are bad and he has a slow release. As we all know, he has potential, much of it, but is still a work in progress and not quite ready. This is all bad for a franchise with enough problems as it is. Sanchez was named the team captain, but couldn’t bring the team together as a unified squad. The other troubling issue is a moody Santonio Holmes, surrendering on his teammates at the end of the season. And, well, Ryan admittedly said he had lost his locker room.
So what does that tell you?
Sometimes it’s hard to understand the Jets. And, in this case, nobody knows the team’s intent. This is what it takes to win games?
I’m not even sure the Jets have the answer to that one.
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