Tim Tebow: Sitting QB vs. Eagles Doesn't Help Jets

The thinking behind sitting Tim Tebow for the New York Jets' final preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday was that he needed to stay fresh for the regular season opener.

But even if the Jets want to keep him fresh for the Wildcat formation down the line, they did him, nor themselves, any favors by sitting him in Philadelphia.

There aren't many people who believe Tebow can be a legitimate starting quarterback at this point in his career, despite his heroics last season. He's still a horribly inaccurate passer, as evidenced by his 46.5 percent completion rate last season and his play this preseason.

There's no reason the Jets shouldn't at least be working to improve his pocket passing. They are needlessly holding Tebow back when they still have time before things start to matter in the regular season.

Sure, one preseason game (with backups, no less) isn't going to cure Tebow's ills throwing the pigskin, but he needs to be on the field as much as he can if he's ever going to become more accurate.

Tebow went 4-of-14 for 55 yards and an interception in his last outing against the Carolina Panthers. It was a nightmare game for the Jets that saw the Panthers win, 17-12, and inspire cries from Jets Nation. 

Overall, in three preseason games this year, Tebow is 13-of-36 for 151 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.

You aren't going to maximize Tebow's impact by simply making him a running back. Every bit of improvement as a passer can help and, right now, Tebow is nowhere near a pocket passer of starting quality. The sooner the Jets realize this the better.

Coming off an 8-8 season, the Jets are under a lot of pressure to get back to the playoffs, but they aren't going to get there with this kind of mentality. That is, doing just enough to get by and playing it safe.

Tebow needs to grind. The Jets need to grind. Taking games off is not the way to do it.

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