Tebow to Jets: 'I quit.'

Via Barstool

By Joe Schackman

Tim Tebow: Heisman Trophy winner, first-round draft pick, media darling, and now, quitter.

Sadly, a simple Google search of “Jets player quits” yields more results than any fan could ever hope to see.

There are articles on Fireman Ed’s public resignation, the October pummelling at the hands of the 49ers, and of course, Santonio Holmes’ meltdown in week 17 of last year. Surely you remember that one: with a winning season, playoff spot and pride on the line, Holmes felt it necessary to fight with teammates in the huddle. He was benched that day, and pilloried in the press for the next week. The incident became the symbol of the Jets’ broader locker room dysfunction.

One year later, and that dysfunction is back in the form of another quitter: Tim Tebow. To be clear, the Jets have been a mess this entire season. They were mathematically knocked out of playoff contention last week against the then 4-9 Titans, though that was just a formality. They were never really “in contention.” But any hope that the team might just slink away and start their offseason planning evaporated once the Jets benched Mark Sanchez for rookie Greg McElroy, passing over their second-stringer/media lightning rod in the process. Infuriated, Tebow reportedly told coaches that he would not participate that week in the Wildcat play package designed especially for him. Translation: I quit.

Now, you could argue that Tebow never got a fair shot with the Jets. He joined the team after a high-profile recruiting process during which many promises were likely made. He hasn’t come close to starting a game since then, despite playing the furthest into January of any Jets quarterback last year. And how the team has handled his role — dressing him when injured with broken ribs, scratching him when healthy — must make as little sense to Tebow as it has to the rest of us. But while that might make you upset, it doesn’t excuse wholesale quitting.

After all, what about Tebow’s play this season demonstrated that he deserved a starting shot? He played more than 70 snaps this year, mostly as the focal point, and at no point did one of those plays make you sit up and pay attention. In an offense desperate for an explosive playmaker, Tebow was not the answer.

Even last year, amid the frenzy over his six straight wins, warning signs abounded. He rarely hit his target, took too many sacks and fumbled 14 times. That was with the benefit of a stalwart offensive line, talented receivers and one of the NFL’s best defenses. Imagine him now with one of the league’s worst receiving corps, a nonexistent running game and a line that surrendered 11 sacks last week. Or if all that carnage is too much to picture, stick with this year’s small sample size: a 20% sack rate, 4.9 yards per pass attempt and 3.2 yards per rush. Tethering Tebow to the bench could be personal, especially if reports of infighting with Rex Ryan and offensive coordinator Tony Sparano are true. But with their jobs on the line, there is little doubt that they also see on-field justifications for their decision.

Tebow disagrees, and that’s understandable. He’s competitive and came to New York to play. Somewhere along the way, though, that competitiveness turned into entitlement. The player that preached sacrifice and “doing whatever it takes” for the team ignored his own sermons and opted out of his obligations. Throughout Tebow’s whole career, the game has adapted to him. His Senior Bowl team installed elements of Florida’s game plan to ensure he could show off his skills. The Broncos started him over second-stringer Brady Quinn (meaning Tebow did the same thing to Quinn that McElroy has now done to Tebow), then simplified their approach and limited his throws to ensure maximum success. In the offseason, they gave Tebow full control over his next destination. The Jets in turn preserved a play package just for him.

Now for the first time, a team is refusing to go the extra yard. New York owes him nothing but a paycheck, and in response Tebow shut himself down. He’s not “standing up to Rex,” or giving the Jets what they deserve, despite what some might argue. In a league where players are criticized for lesser offenses like holding out in the offseason or retiring early, the fetish-like obsession with this backup quarterback cannot gloss over his actions. By refusing to play in the Wildcat, he’s provided some insight into his true character. Tebow might be a competitor, but he’s also a quitter.

There is one game left in the season. It’s doubtful that Tebow will return. The team-first guy that he is, he already demanded a trade or release. The likely next destination is Jacksonville, another place willing to adapt to his needs. Returned to the comforts of hero worship, Tebow might not quit on them. But he deserves to be labeled, along with Santonio Holmes and all those before him, as one who might.

And about that Wildcat package that Tebow deemed beneath him? It was at its most effective all year with wide receiver Jeremy Kerley running the show. Hope the Jaguars include that in their scouting report.

Joe Schackman is an editor and co-founder of Began in '96.