Tim Tebow: Backup QB Continues to Be Pawn in Jets' Quest for Back-Page Dominance

Once again, the New York Jets prove that they are more interested in winning the battle of the back page than they are in winning games on the field.

We can all agree—including Jets head coach Rex Ryan—that Tim Tebow fractured two ribs during the team's Week 10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks (h/t USA Today).

But that's where the agreement ends.

Multiple sources, including ESPN's Ed Werder, have reported that Tebow will be made inactive for the team's Week 13 game against the Arizona Cardinals:

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A source tells me that Jets coach Rex Ryan plans to make backup QB Tim Tebow inactive vs. Cardinals to allow fractured ribs to heal #jets

— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) November 30, 2012"

It makes sense. Tebow didn't play in the team's Week 12 blowout loss to the New England Patriots, and fractured ribs are an incredibly painful injury to deal with. Exposing Tebow to being hit by opposing defenders isn't going to speed up the healing process.

But Ryan refuses to acknowledge that a decision has been made, as ESPN New York's Rich Cimini tweets:

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Interesting spin here from Rex Ryan, refusing to admit they've already decided to de-activate Tebow. #Jets espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/s…

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) December 1, 2012"

What's the point of denying it, Rex?

Ryan can't possibly think that this gives the Jets some sort of advantage over the Cardinals where Ken Wisenhunt's team needs to prepare for both Tebow and Mark Sanchez.

The Jets barely use Tebow as it is, and they've proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that when they do put him into the game, they don't have the slightest clue as to how to use him effectively.

Tebow has been as much of a non-factor for the Jets this season as Greg McElroy, who will back Sanchez up on Sunday against Arizona.

So why make something out of nothing?

Because it's another chance for the Jets to make headlines—a feeble attempt for the Tebow story, which really should be a non-story, to take the spotlight off of the fact that this team is a disaster when it steps onto the field.

All Rex had to do was say, "Yes, Tim's injured, and we are going to let him rest this week. Greg will back Mark up."

But even the simplest task is asking too much of the Jets in 2012.