The New York Jets said they were planning to assess any value they could get for Tim Tebow while at the NFL Scouting Combine and although no deal is yet imminent, the team made significant moves at the position, interviewing top prospect USC quarterback Matt Barkley.
According to SI.com, nine different teams interviews Barkley during one-on-one interviews at the combine, including the New York Jets. Teams primarily asked him about his shoulder injury, but he will be able to show the extent of his skills to teams when he throws on his own pro day. One reason he did not throw at the combine was to continue rehabbing the shoulder he hurt last season while playing UCLA.
If the Jets were to add Barkley, that would make two former USC quarterbacks on the roster, as they already have Mark Sanchez, who was a huge disappointment for the team last year and was even benches after throwing three interceptions in one half against the Arizona Cardinals towards the end of the season.
Barkley took over for Sanchez at USC and was a four-year starter who put up prolific stats, although he slipped last season while throwing 36 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while dealing with his shoulder injury.
Barkley's main goals during his pro day and the combine is to show teams that he is progressing from his injury and that he is not cut from the same cloth as subpar pro Trojan quarterbacks Matt Leinart and Sanchez.
"There have been great USC quarterbacks (who have done) some things in the NFL," Barkley told reporters last week. "I know my case, my situation and my story is different than all those other guys. I don't think you can put everyone in the same mold. I know what I'm capable of, and I wouldn't be so quick to put a mold around me."
The Jets are planning to use a West coast offense next season and despite having below average arm strength, his time at USC would prepare him for playing in that scheme. Chances are that the Jets would not take him at the number nine pick, but if he drops to them in the second round at 39, the team could select him as a replacement for Tebow.
If the Jets decide to draft Barkley, it likely would be at the expense of Tebow and not Sanchez, since Sanchez is a bit harder to trade due to the contract extension they have him before last season. A possibility for Tebow is the Kansas City Chiefs, although reports say that the tem has worked out a trade for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.
Some other destinations for Tebow could be the Jacksonville Jaguars despite their already public reluctance, as well as the Cleveland Browns, who may want to move on from Brandon Weeden as they have a new head coach and a new general manager after going 5-11 last season.
The Arizona Cardinals could also be a trade partner for the Jets, as they had awful play at quarterback last season from John Skelton, Kevin Kolb and Ryan Lindley. The team has a new coach in Bruce Arians and it is likely he will want to start fresh at the position after the Cardinals ranked last in passing offense in 2012.
