Tim Tebow: 'Most Influential Special Teams Player," too
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 | Football, Chris Harry
I'm sure you've heard about the newest chum tossed into the water for the Tebow-hating sharks.
Get ready, folks, for the "Most Influential Special Teams Player in the World."
The news Tuesday out of New York that quarterback Tim Tebow, the UF icon and former Heisman Trophy winner, has been told he'll play the fullback position next season for the Jets' punt team – the “protector” or “upback” spot -- surely was welcomed news for the Merril Hoges of the Tebow-dissing world.
[Note: Hoge might even take bigger shots at the former Florida great now when he realizes Tebow can be a better fullback than he ever was, but I digress. ]
While the Big Apple media (and the national, too) work to whip up a rivalry between incumbent starter Mark Sanchez and his newest teammate, the idea that Tebow, acquired by the Jets from the Denver Broncos last month for a fourth-round pick, would be relegated to special teams is clearly – transparently and crystal clearly -- part of the team's plan to plant thoughts about the quarterback/football player package No. 15 presents into the collective minds of the competition.
I mean, seriously, why else would be hearing about this now – when the world as we know it stops for NFL draft week -- via the Twitter account of NFL reporter/leak extraordinaire Adam Schefter? In the ever-paranoid coaching world of the NFL, teams the Jets face next season immediately had to write down "Come up with scheme to use against Tebow punt formation” on their offseason to-do list.
That said, there will be times next season, assuming Tebow is in that upback position from Week 1, the Jets will use his ability to run (which is very good) and pass (average, at best) out of that punt formation.
He's actually perfect for that.
Even Merril “3.8 per carry for his just-a-guy career” Hoge would have to agree.
