Numbers can be deceiving. Or, in Tim Tebow’s case, their lack thereof doesn’t tell the entire story.
Though the Jets backup quarterback hasn’t made the impact many forecast when he came over in an offseason trade from the Broncos, he has made a difference in other areas.
In each of the Jets last two games the opposition has burned a timeout because of Tebow’s presence alone.
Last Sunday, Miami called a timeout on a play where Tebow and Sanchez were lined up in the backfield. The previous week, Pittsburgh used a timeout on a punt where Tebow lined up on the wing. rather than behind the guard
“That’s something that we talk about here — timeouts are gold,” Tebow said yesterday.
Though timeouts didn’t figure prominently into the Pittsburgh game, if Miami had an extra timeout in their final drive of regulation, the Dolphins may have been able to go for a touchdown instead of settling for the game-tying field goal. There is also the added factor of teams preparing for Tebow, whether he is an intricate part of the Jets offense or not.
The Jets haven’t used Tebow nearly as much as many expected and coach Rex Ryan has kept the team’s plans close to the vest regarding Tebow. He has yet to throw a pass and has rushed just seven times for 38 yards, mostly out of Wildcat formations. Oddly, the Jets have stayed away from Tebow near the goal line, though Tebow has niftily sidestepped the issue like a would-be pass rusher.
“I’ll just try to be ready whenever my number’s called and try to help the team,” he said.
Tebow has turned in two big plays in limited opportunities, picking up 22 yards on a scramble in the Week 2 loss to Pittsburgh and gaining five yards for a first down on a fake punt against the Dolphins. Of course, there also was the failed connection in Miami when Tebow went out as a wide receiver and a Mark Sanchez pass hit him in the back of the helmet on third down, a play shown numerous times on highlight reel shows.
Tebow could see more chances against the 49ers’ elite defense tomorrow, especially on the ground to ignite the Jets’ struggling rushing attack, and he did take part in 12 of the offense’s 84 snaps against Miami.
“We want to be able to posses the ball and if that’s something they ask me to help with, I’ll be excited,” Tebow said.
Yet, even if he isn’t compiling yards, scoring touchdown or picking up first downs, Tebow is still making his presence felt.