New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan ready to make Tim Tebow starter if Mark Sanchez becomes unavailable
Amid all the speculation, New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan has made clear that the dynamic Tim Tebow will become the starting quarterback for Jets in case the incumbent Mark Sanchez does not start during the season.
Ryan gave those comments on Wednesday, August 29, 2012, as he talked with media after the practice session. Ryan’s decision solidifies Tebow’s position as a backup quarterback. Ryan said:
"I think Tebow would expand his role. I think we feel good about what Tim can do but you'd have to go in and we'd be confident in McElroy, I think, but (Matt) Simms is the wildcard, I think. He hasn't been given a whole lot of opportunities but the opportunities
he did get have been impressive."
There have been many concerns about whether Tebow will be able to become a starter as his style of play is quite different from what is generally expected from a quarterback.
Many analysts have even predicted that the third tier quarterback Greg McElroy will take up the backup position as he has a more conventional style of quarterback play than Tebow.
Moreover, Tebow has been prepared by Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano to play in different kinds of packages. This has made some argument that in the absence of Sanchez, Tebow will have to drop his wild cat package in order to play as a regular quarterback.
Only recently, Tebow was asked during an interview with ESPN that whether he would be given a chance to play as a running back due to his running abilities. Tebow gave a strong reply and commented:
“I’m a quarterback, first and foremost. However else I can help the team, I will help the team. I think some things are just playing football and I think some things are position-specific.”
Ryan did not give any details about what would be the system of play in the presence of Tebow as quarterback, but it seems likely that Jets will not play in the same formation they do under the leadership of Sanchez.
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