The use of Tim Tebow, the Jets’ marginalized quarterback, was a “mess” according to one coach.
Speaking to WQAM in Miami, the recently retired Mike Westhoff blasted his old team for their handling of Tebow. Westhoff told Metro last August he developed the idea of using Tebow as a personal punt protector on special teams and it was a key part of their decision to acquire him, but that “ended up being his only role.”
An indignant Westhoff, a veteran coach and highly respected around the league, exposed a side to the Tebow trade that the Jets have been loath to show.
“It was a distraction and really a shame because that’s a hard-working young man if you ever saw one,” Westhoff said. “Believe [you] me.”
The Jets used Tebow sparingly, essentially scrapping the Wildcat by season’s end. By Week 16, he was clearly on the outs with the coaching staff, as No. 3 quarterback Greg McElroy got the nod to start when Mark Sanchez was finally benched due to his turnover struggles. Then, with McElroy concussed and out for the season finale in Buffalo, Sanchez was given the starting job back and Tebow again was the backup.
“It was an absolute mess. You can say [that] however else you want. It was really a mess,” Westhoff said. “I was very, very disappointed.”
When he spoke to the media for a final time before the Jets Week 17 game against the Bills, Westhoff said he planned on pursuing a career in the media where he could utilize his insight on special teams.
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