Tim Tebow: Areas Where Jets Backup QB Must Improve to Earn Starting Job

New York Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow is not nearly as terrible as the critics and Jets would have you believe by putting him on the punting unit and refusing to let him throw the ball out of the wildcat package.

Sure, Tebow's last start under center in an NFL game was underwhelming to say the least, and resulted in a blowout playoff defeat at New England. But just one week earlier he was torching the NFL's No. 1-ranked pass defense in the Pittsburgh Steelers and leading the Denver Broncos to an upset Wild Card playoff victory.

Tebow represents the good and bad in all of us. But it's the bad that must be changed in order for fans to see more of him this season. 

Let's highlight some areas of weakness where Tim Tebow must improve in order to become the Jets' starting quarterback.

Ball Security

Although Tebow has only turned the ball over nine times through the air in 353 career pass attempts, his sloppy handle on the ball has been a major issue in the pocket and when he transitions into a runner in the open field. 

This is the one area that is most critical to survival in the NFL. Turnovers will crush teams and kill dreams. 

Tebow fumbled seven times last season from the pocket, and six more times as a runner. That's 13 fumbles in 14 games. Until Tebow can properly secure the ball and cut back on his mistakes, the Jets will be petrified of playing him full time and will be banking on Mark Sanchez to lead them to success.

Footwork

If Tim Tebow is going to earn the starting job in the Big Apple, he is going to need to improve his footwork. Tebow looks unpolished in the pocket far too often and his completion percentage suffers because of it. He has completed just 47.3 of his career passes.

I don't think Tebow's delivery is an issue or the problem. He's been throwing that way for years and if it feels most natural to him then it's the right way. If the footwork gets better, the completion percentage will rise. 

Although Tebow occasionally makes a spectacular play while rolling to his right or throwing on the run and off his back foot, rarely will those fundamental errors lead to positive plays for an offense.

He must improve his dropback and learn to properly set his feet before delivering the ball if he is to have any chance at a long NFL career as a quarterback.

Urgency

The key to being a great quarterback is playing with a sense of urgency, and having a mental clock to know when the ball must be released.

Whenever you watch Peyton Manning play the position he is constantly on his toes and counting the precious seconds he has to get rid of the football. That's not to say Tebow needs to develop into Peyton Manning, but instead play more alert and urgent football.

The same mentality he brings to the fourth quarter of games is the one he needs to open up with in the first period. Sporadic play won't get it done in the long run regardless of how many late drives Tebow can cash in on. 

I want my quarterback to be cool and calm in the face of adversity, but I never want them to be that way on the inside. Tebow needs to play from the pocket with an improved sense of urgency. Even if no one is open, if he's playing urgently, getting out of the pocket and moving the ball down field with his legs, then he's still succeeding. 

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