Tim Tebow: Special-Teams Gimmick Won't Be Worth the Inevitable QB Controversy

The New York Jets can use Tim Tebow on special teams all they want. They can keep him in as an upback, use him to orchestrate a few fake punts and hope other teams spend some extra time during practice to prepare for it.

And while they are at it, they can also institute a Wildcat package for Tebow, employing elements of the option attack to keep opposing defenses on their toes.

If there's a gimmick attack out there, Tebow is the man to run it.

But none of it will matter when Mark Sanchez struggles once again this year, and the inevitable quarterback controversy between him and Tebow becomes a back-page mainstay on the tabloids this season.

Though rumored for some time now, Tebow's special-teams role is now official. From Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News:

"

Special teams coach Mike Westhoff told the Daily News he will use Tebow on his unit. Westhoff has already discussed his vision with Tebow, who was amenable and eager to contribute on special teams, according to the coach.

Although Westhoff didn’t reveal his exact plan, he called Tebow a “more potent Brad Smith” with an ability to make a difference on special teams.

"

I've always felt that the last thing this team needed was another distraction, or worse, someone like Tebow who by his presence alone could undermine Mark Sanchez.

Let me be clear on one thing—Tebow himself will be a fine teammate, a nice backup quarterback to have around in case Sanchez gets hurt and a player who will help improve the running game depending upon how often the team employs the Wildcat.

But was this really the offseason to make the move for Tebow? Was a season after the locker room seemed to crumble and Sanchez was called into question by unnamed teammates (more than likely Santonio Holmes, but who's counting?) the right time to play with fire and add a possible quarterback controversy?

The Jets gave Sanchez a contract extension, but that won't mean squat if he struggles, the Jets start slow and the fanbase decides to fondly remember how Tebow saved the Denver Broncos last season.

They are playing with fire in New York. And I remain unconvinced that a gimmick on special teams and the Wildcat formation are worth the potential quarterback controversy in the future.

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