There is now a report that the trade has hit a snag due to Tebow's contract, so it may not go through after all. For the sake of the thread, we'll just assume that it is going to go through as stated.
For the Broncos, I think it's a pretty good deal. I'm not sure they were ever sold on Tebow as their long term QB anyway. I'm not saying that just because they signed Manning. He's Peyton Manning, he's an upgrade over just about any QB in the league. I don't blame them for getting him. But even before all this came about, it seemed as though Denver wasn't fully behind Tebow. His own head coach barely had a good word to say about him for several weeks after he became the starter. The team seemed reticent at first to install a system that would work well with Tebow's talents. John Elway said he would go into training camp as the starter, but that was as far as he was willing to go. Of course, I realize in the NFL almost no one's spot is guaranteed, and you have to prove yourself and your worth over and over, moreso than the other professional leagues. And if you falter, there is always someone there to step up and take your place. But just the way he was talked about during and after the season by the team made it seem as though they didn't have a boatload of faith in him.
Sure, you could keep him and he could learn from Manning. But Manning, if healthy, plans on playing more than two or three more years. So if all goes according to plan, you may never need Tebow again anyway. I'm not sure how long his contract is, but if Manning is going to play for a while, Tebow may want to go somewhere else anyway, somewhere he could challenge for a starting job.
Also, how much could Tebow learn from Manning? Yes, Manning is an all time great, and ANY quarterback could learn something from him. But Tebow is never going to be the type of quarterback that Manning is. And I'm not just talking about sheer ability. I'm talking about style of play. Tebow is as much of a running quarterback as there is in the NFL. Manning is the epitome of a pocket passer. Tebow, however good he becomes, will never be able to throw like Peyton Manning. So while I'm sure Manning could help his development, as he could with any quarterback, Tebow may benefit more learning from someone with a style closer to his own.
Plus the Broncos receive draft picks to put even more weapons around Manning, and get rid of a guy that probably not everyone on the team believed could be their QB of the future. So in my opinion, it's a great trade for the Broncos.
What I don't understand is why you would do this if you're the Jets. Mark Sanchez has already been under fire for quite a while because of his lack of progress, or regression, depending how you look at it. The Jets themselves were mentioned as a possible destination for Manning, which makes Sanchez look even worse and his postion even less tenable. I believe they just extended his contract as well, as a supposed sign of faith that he is the right guy for the job. Now you're going to trade for Tebow? Why? He's still somewhat of an unknown, so he might not be any better than Sanchez anyway, not that that's a high bar.
But even with that considered, you know a lot of fans are going to want Tebow to start right away. And if Sanchez again struggles this year, those cries are only going to get louder. So you're turning up the heat on a QB already on very thin ice, and all for a guy who may not even be any better.
I just don't understand. Don't get me wrong, as a Dolphins fan, I'm more than happy to see the Jets fail every way possible. We need another team to join us in the cellar, anyway.
I just don't see the logic of this trade from the New York side. Create some hype, maybe? Sell more tickets? Would it really be worth the position you're putting your supposed franchise QB in?
