Jets cut Tebow
MONTREAL — On a day that should have been spent continuing his preparations for next Monday’s Canadian Football League draft, Alouettes general manager Jim Popp was forced to field calls and questions — from New York and Canada — about a player he doesn’t have and might never acquire. Quarterback Tim Tebow. “I would love to have Tim Tebow on our team. He’s a great person. He’s a winner,” Popp said Monday. “But can he play in the CFL and have success? Would we be able to adapt our system to that guy in the future? I have no idea.”
Tebow was released Monday morning by the New York Jets following one season with the NFL team. Tebow was on borrowed time with the Jets throughout this winter, and that timetable expired after New York selected pivot Geno Smith in the second round of the NFL draft last Friday.
While Tebow’s on the Als’ negotiation list, giving Montreal his exclusive CFL rights, that doesn’t mean his arrival’s imminent — if at all.
If Tebow isn’t claimed off waivers by another NFL team, the Jets owe him $1.5-million, according to the New York Daily News. So Tebow’s in no immediate financial predicament.
While Tebow’s NFL options appear limited, he would be no closer to playing with Montreal, where Anthony Calvillo’s the established veteran starter. John Neiswander and Quinton Porter will be competing for the backup position when training camp opens June 2.
Popp has no plans to reach out to Tebow’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, nor does he expect to field any immediate calls from the player or his representative. Indeed, Popp said he wouldn’t be surprised if Tebow takes the 2013 season to reassess his options.
“We have quarterbacks under contract,” Popp said. “We’re going to camp in a month. We’ve got a starting quarterback. I’m not out there enticing or trying to convince him to come to Montreal because he’s (not) going to be a starting quarterback. He would be coming to Montreal to be a backup player ... to learn the game and, maybe, in the future, he’ll be able to compete for a starting job.”
Although Calvillo turns 41 in August and is entering his 20th season, don’t assume 2013 will be his final year of play. Calvillo’s well aware Damon Allen played 23 CFL seasons, until he was 44. Calvillo might secretly want to match, or exceed, that mark. And he wants to win more championships, having lost five of eight Grey Cups.
The Als also have QB Vince Young on their negotiation list. Young, who spent five seasons with Tennessee and last played for Philadelphia in 2011, has made no attempt to sign with Montreal since being released by Buffalo prior to the start of last season.
Any team would have to drastically change its offence to cater to Tebow’s unique skill set. Although the strength of his left arm has been questioned, along with his unorthodox throwing motion, there’s no disputing his mobility and ability to run. Would a team be prepared to run the ball extensively or go to a short-passing game? That’s debatable. And it’s moot as long as Calvillo is healthy and remains productive.
Tebow led Denver to a division title and the playoffs in 2011, but became redundant with Peyton Manning’s arrival. The Broncos traded him to the Jets for a fourth-round draft choice, but he saw limited playing time. Tebow completed six of eight passes and had 32 carries for 102 yards. He took only 77 snaps and was supplanted by Greg McElroy late in the season after starter Mark Sanchez was benched. Orlando of the Arena League expressed interest in Tebow last month.