New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow (15) leaves the field at the end of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots
USA TODAY
(USA TODAY) -- "We'll see what happens," Rex Ryan said Wednesday about Tim Tebow's future with the New York Jets.
Given
Tebow's lack of playing time and the fact that he was passed over by
third-string quarterback Greg McElroy for Sunday's start, it's a safe
bet that what happens involves Timmy and the Jets parting ways. But
where would he end up? Is it possible Tebow would take his talents north to the Canadian Football League?
Some have analyzed the move to the CFL as if it's a legitimate option, others are quickly dismissive.
Andrew Buckholtz of the CFL blog 55-Yard Line has an interesting take:
The
comedy of Tebow, a former Florida Gators star, being behind [Adrian]
McPherson, who left rival Florida State following an infamous arrest,
would be substantial, though. What would be even better would be if
Tebow came to the CFL and had less success than another former Florida
quarterback, the less-hyped Chris Leak, who infamously washed out in
Montreal and then Saskatchewan. Beyond merely giving CFL fans a chance
to laugh, though, there's no reason for the Alouettes to even consider
Tebow. Simply put, Tim Tebow has done nothing that would suggest he'd be
an effective CFL passer.
Of course, it's
highly unlikely Tebow would come north anyway. There's so much bizarre,
ESPN-fueled hype about him (which has been parodied in literature and
musicals) that it's quite probable some other NFL team will pick him up
if New York lets him go. Even if they don't, another U.S. based league
like the UFL or the AFL will make a run at him and offer him way more
money (and a chance to start) than the CFL could. His game might be a
better fit in those leagues, too; it certainly isn't suited for the CFL.
That's why it's so bizarre that teams keep putting him on a negotiation
list. Tebow likely isn't coming north, and he wouldn't be any good as a
quarterback if he did.
Most of it makes sense, but I
can't say I agree with the last part -- if Adrian McPherson can start in
the CFL, then surely Tim Tebow could too -- nor is it possible Tebow
would go to the UFL or AFL before the CFL. The first two are rock
bottom. The CFL is on the path to rock bottom. Tebow is struggling, but
he's not there yet.
This can be chalked up as a lost season. It's
almost inconceivable that Tebow was backing up a quarterback who played
as awful as Mark Sanchez and couldn't see any legitimate playing time.
Say what you will about Tebow and his quarterbacking talents (or lack
thereof), the way the Jets handled him is surprising. It's like they
were cutting their nose to spite their face.
But maybe the Jets
not starting Tebow is the best thing to happen to his career. Let's say
the critics are right: Tebow's success in Denver was a mirage and he'll
never make an impact on an NFL roster. If he started this year in New
York and failed, wouldn't most have been forced to come to that
conclusion? As it is, the only additional knock on Tebow is that a
dysfunctional franchise couldn't find a place for him. He still has the
aura of being a possible NFL success. Since he didn't prove otherwise
this season, the dream can live on.
As long as Tebow doesn't get
on the field and prove otherwise, there's the hope that he'll find
greatness. It's a play off the old saying, "better to remain silent and
be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." Going to the
CFL removes all doubt.