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None of us, except for some people who may be precient, know how this trade is going to work out. But there is one major impact of the Jets acquisition of Tim Tebow, that seems pretty apparent. Let’s get into it.
Remember the quote that was taken out of context about Mark Sanchez being “lazy?”
As we have explained many times, Sanchez is a very hard worker. That isn’t an issue. Is he able to take everything he learns on the class room to the field? That is another story. Sometimes it doesn’t seem that way.
What the unnamed player meant, when he called Sanchez “lazy” in the Daily News, was that he is “competitively lazy,” because his job is never threatened.
Even last year when Rex Ryan actually gave Mark Brunell a few reps in practice to get Sanchez’s attention, when asked about it by the media, the coach tap-danced like crazy, down-played, and made it clear Sanchez wouldn’t be pulled. So whatever message he was trying to sent Sanchez, he negated.
He also gave Sanchez the starting quarterback job in Cortland, in the quarterback’s rookie year, even though he didn’t have a good camp.
This approach with Sanchez led many to say the quarterback was “coddled.” Some said it as unnamed players or coach, and others actually when on-the-record, like Damien Woody and LaDainian Tomlinson.
Well people, with Tim Tebow now a Jet, the days of Mark being “competitively lazy” are over. I’m not saying Tebow is going to battle him for the starting job this summer, and during the season.
But the new backup quarterback in town is the epitome of a competitor – one of the top competitors in all of sports.
And if Sanchez is having a bad game, the Jets can go the Wildcat at any time by inserting Tebow in the game – to give the Sanchez, and the offense, a kick in the pants.
You think that will get Sanchez’s competitive juices flowing?
These insertions won’t be considered a quarterback change, because Tebow isn’t a great passer, but will serve an important purpose for the team and offense.
And Tebow is a such a good guy, that if anybody can pull this off, without creating a full-fledged quarterback controversy, it’s Tim.
As you all know, there might not be a player in the league with more character.
We will all see his character in practice and in games, and all around New Jersey, as he goes to places like Newark and Irvington, helping the down-trodden, as he is given to do.
Stephen. A. Smith and Joe Namath can trash this move all they want.
I’m willing to give the Jets the benefit of the doubt, since I don’t have a crystal ball.
I’ve always felt it is a big mistake to trash a trade, or draft pick, right after it happens, because none of us know how it will work out.
Smith and Namath should probably temper their condemnations.
But one thing I can say with near certainty about this trade.
The days of Sanchez being coddled seem to be over.
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