Tim Tebow Trade Will Do More Harm Than Good for New York Jets, Mark Sanchez

If you thought the New York Jets locker room was dysfunctional already, adding Tim Tebow to the equation has the potential to make matters worse.

Let's put our math hats on for a minute to dissect Tebow's potential contributions on the field, before we dissect the potential dissention off the field.

As James Walker of ESPN's AFC East blog estimates, Tebow will probably contribute between five to 10 snaps per game as a specialist in the option. Let's round up the average to eight snaps per game for consistency, and let's say they mix it up with a 50-50 ratio of running and passing plays.

At his 2011 averages—mind you, behind what was a much better run blocking offensive line in Denver than what the Jets boasted—that would amount to 21.6 rushing yards per game. Let's be generous to Tebow's 46.5 completion percentage from 2011 and massage that number to 50 percent. That gives him two completions per game, at an average of 13.7 yards per completion for 27.4 yards per game.

With these incredibly rough numbers, that amounts to 49 yards per game. At eight plays per game, that's around 6.1 yards per play. That's pretty good in terms of productivity.

When things start to go south, though, it could create more problems than it solves.

In fact, it's already caused a stir with more than one Jet. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie voiced his opinion on Tebowmania again and again and again on Twitter over the past couple of days.

"

Y bring Tebow in when we need to bring in more Weapons for @Mark_Sanchez let's build the team around him. We already signed to 3 year ext.

— Antonio Cromartie (@ACromartie) March 21, 2012"

While Cromartie may not be a wet blanket of reason, it's safe to say his sentiments were echoed by more than a few Jets followers.

And he isn't the only one voicing his opinion on it. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News writes that quarterback Drew Stanton, signed just last week by the Jets, prefers to be released after the team acquired Tebow.

So there are already players coming out against it, and if that weren't bad enough, imagine how bad it will be when Mark Sanchez has one of his patented four-turnover games? Does the locker room turn on him and call for Tebow, or do they stick behind their guy? It's more likely that there will be a split in the locker room between those who want to see Sanchez tough it out and those calling for Tebow Time.

The idea of Tebow as a complement or a role player in the offense is cute, but how long can it last before Tebowmania runs wild in MetLife Stadium?

It didn't take long for the Tebow chants to rain down on Kyle Orton—in fact, it happened in Week 1 of the 2011 season. And if that happens, how long will the Jets hold off before pulling the trigger? There's no denying that the Jets make moves for PR purposes, and this was indirectly confirmed by NESN.com Patriots beat writer Jeff Howe.

"

On Tebow, source close to Jets believes this was a case of an owner who wanted a new marketing toy.

— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 21, 2012"

Not surprising that in the battle for New York, the Jets made a move to grab the back page headlines. The funny thing is, it worked within 24 hours.

Tebow is one of, if not the single most polarizing figure in sports. There are those that love him, and those that can't stand the mere mention of his name. It would be naive to think that polarizing nature doesn't carry over into the locker room.

And if you thought the Jets were cap-strapped before, just wait until 2013, writes Jason of NYJetsCap.com.

"

Tebow doesn’t cost much this year, a cap hit of about $1.5 million. Next year the number is about $6 million and the following year around $7 million. None is guaranteed so you can cut him, but would the Jets have the nerve to do it? I doubt it. That leaves them with around 19 million in cap dollars committed to the QB position in 2013 for Sanchez, whose deal is guaranteed, and Tebow. Think about that for a second. That’s basically what it costs for Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers, and Ben Roethlisberger.

"

That's one major headache for a guy who figures to contribute between five to 10 plays per game, give or take a few depending on game plan and opponent.

A headache that could have been avoided if the Jets simply were committed to winning on the field, and not on the back page of the newspapers.

Follow @ErikFrenz