Quick thoughts on Tebow and the Jets

When Antonio Cromartie declared Tuesday that the New York Jets didn’t need Tim Tebow, it was a foregone conclusion that’s where America’s quarterback was headed. And now, the Jets must go all in on a ground-and-pound attack.

Forget for a moment the circus-like atmosphere that Mike Tannenbaum has created. Mark Sanchez won’t be able to throw an incomplete pass without hearing it from the Tebow-maniacs. But hey, who better to lead a three-ring circus than the ringmaster himself, Rex Ryan?

Here are some quick-hit thoughts about what to make of Tim Tebow in the Big Apple:

• The folks that run the Jets, Tannenbaum and Ryan, have been doing this long enough to know what they have brought on themselves. They cannot be so blind as to think Tebow is like any other quarterback they could have brought in to provide “competition” for the embattled Sanchez. Right? 

• Wildcat or no wildcat, new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano at least has some good experience mixing in a hybrid attack with a guy like Tebow. I assume Sparano was consulted on this trade before it was made, and I can see Sparano and Tebow working well together. 

• Now, what happens if Tebow does end up as the starting QB for the Jets? The Jets are only two years removed from reaching the AFC title game with a dominant rushing attack. They staggered to 22^nd in the league last season, averaging 105.8 yards per game, thanks to a number of reasons. First and foremost was that they lost their identity. With Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress, they suddenly thought they could air it out, and that was a colossal mistake. Of course, a weakened offensive line also had a lot to do with it, as did Shonn Greene taking a step back in his development. Can the presence of Tebow in the backfield help Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson? Sure. If the Jets can improve the line, then it’s possible the Jets can once again become a force on the ground with Tebow at the helm. Of course, the passing game will be almost nonexistent. 

• Which brings us to Ryan’s raison d’etre. Defense. The offense will be conservative this year no matter who is running the show. What the Jets need in order to win is for that defense to be a monster again. The only reason Tebow won as many games as he did in Denver last year was because the Broncos defense was stout. The Jets must field a top five defense in order to win. They did rank fifth in yards allowed last season, but 20^th in points allowed per game (nearly 23).

• What are the chances Sanchez rises to this challenge, becomes a true franchise quarterback and relegates Tebow to backup and change-of-pace Wildcat? Anything’s possible. But this is the least likely scenario.

Let the circus begin!