Tim Tebow: Rex Ryan Needs to Start Controversial QB in Final 2 Preseason Games

If the two games the New York Jets have played so far in the preseason are any indication of what's ahead, then head coach Rex Ryan might need to start looking for a new job.

Led by dreadful performances from quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow as well as poor offensive game-planning from new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, the Jets have looked like a roster completely devoid of offensive firepower.

In two contests, the Jets have yet to break double-digit points, scoring just three field goals through eight quarters of play.

With two preseason games remaining before the Jets open up their schedule against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 9, Ryan needs to shake things up to light a spark in his offense.

That should begin with taking a chance and giving Tebow the start for the rest of the exhibition season.

All things considered, it shouldn't come as a surprise that both quarterbacks have been unmitigated flops so far this preseason.

The Jets brought back nine offensive starters from the 2011 team that ranked No. 22 in offensive efficiency using Football Outsiders' weighted DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) metric.

To "improve" this performance, general manager Mike Tannenbaum allowed second-leading receiver Plaxico Burress to walk, though he is still very much available. In his place, Tannenbaum drafted Stephen Hill (a talented project) in the second round, and Chaz Schilens, a player the GM told Rotoworld "could be a special teamer."

But the big move that everyone has been incessantly debating this offseason has been the Jets' trade for Tebow.

When the Jets acquired Tebow, the organization willingly welcomed the circus that surrounds the oft-debated quarterback. Every snap the 25-year-old is involved in will be scrutinized by every sect of the sports media.

That's fine if Tebow consistently becomes the player we saw in fourth quarters last season with the Denver Broncos. Not so much if he repeats his worst-in-the-NFL 46.5 completion percentage or 28th-ranked quarterback rating at 72.9.

Regardless, Sanchez isn't exactly a peach behind center, either, and running Tebow with the first-string offense gives the Jets an opportunity to see if he can improve the team's middling rushing attack.

Despite Denver's status last season as the sixth-worst passing offense (according to FO), the Broncos ranked No. 13 in the running game. That difference can mostly be attributed to Tebow's takeover as starter and the Broncos' subsequent scheme changes to curtail to the quarterback's strengths.

That shift to a more run-oriented offense led to an unforeseen resurgence from 30-year-old running back Willis McGahee. Usually a death knell for running backs, McGahee's entrance to his 30s brought forth the third-best year of his career, as he ran for nearly 1,200 yards and four touchdowns.

While McGahee certainly deserves credit for his performance, much of that can be attributed to the "Tebow Effect." With Shonn Greene 27 years old and yet to have a breakout season, the former Florida Gator could propel him to the same heights as McGahee.

He just needs the chance.

With preseason games being absolutely meaningless and the team knowing what it will get from Sanchez, Ryan should take a chance and see what he has with Tebow with the first-team offense. His season could depend on it.