On Wednesday a report came out that several annoymous Jets players lashed out at back-up quarterback Tim Tebow, asserting that they felt the lefty, single caller was a terrible football player and they wouldn't trust him if he took over for struggling quarterback Mark Sanchez.
"Both offensive and defensive players have that they hadn't seen any improvement in Tebow's quarterback skills since he was traded to the Jets in March," according to the Daily News.Even embattled right guard Matt Slausen, who has been a culprit on the Jets horrific offensive line, took time to rip Tebow and also slap Sanchez at the same time: "It's not even close; all other quarterbacks know it. I have all the confidence in Mark; we don't really have a choice."
In other words, the Jets players recognize they have no choice but to stick with Sanchez even though they know what we all know: he is terrible. Tebow has not distinguished himself enough in practice, and, on a team of misfits, it was only a matter of time before the mild-mannered Tebow became a victim of the back-stabbing.
Coach Rex Ryan tried to extinguish the flames later on, but his explanation was a poor attempt to end the controversy. He called the annyomous players cowards for not putting their names on the comments, but that did little to prove that Ryan has utilized well the back-up at all.
Rex Ryan added that he had made it clear from the beginning that Mark Sanchez was his starter and that Tebow would strictly be used minimally in the wild cat. He even praised Tebow's work ethic and work on special teams, which was laughable since the Jets have barely used Tebow at all this season.
When they have put him on the field, it has been for a play here and a play there, and the result was nothing but unproductive; in fact, inserting Tebow in spurts has done more to disrupt this offense than help it; case in point: look at the New England game a few weeks ago, and the Seattle game last week.
Moreover, Ryan's praise of Tebow's special teams work is embarrassing. Tebow was partly responsible for two blocked punts on the Jets punt unit that resulted in touchdowns for the 49ers and Dolphins in games this season. Why? Because Tebow is not a fullback, and teams took advantage of that and blew past him en route to the punter.
As for the player's hatred of Tebow: their anger should be directed at Sanchez. He is the one who has been steering this Jets ship into the ground the past two seasons, and his 52 % completion percentage is one of the worst in the NFL. In many circles and among statistical comparisons, Sanchez IS the worst quarterback in the league.
So why pick on a guy, Tebow, who has had zero impact on this team? It makes no sense. Those critical players are classless fools who refuse to take accountability for their own poor play, but the back-stabbing in the Jets locker room is nothing new. It was commonplace last year as several players lashed out on Sanchez and ex-offensive co-ordinator Brian Schottenhiemer.
With Ryan's consistent denial to change his quarterback, and pleas that all is well in the locker room, it is clear that he is nearing the end of his tenure in New York.
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