The New York Jets have been trying to trade Tim Tebow all offseason and despite the fact that no one seems to want the quarterback, the team is holding onto him until at least after the NFL draft and after reporting to voluntary workouts with the team, many were left to speculate on when a deal or release could happen.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Jets made a big move over the weekend in the trade for Darrelle Revis and Tebow could be the next player to make the move to Central Florida. According to NFL.com, one team that could be interested is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as coach Greg Schiano has expressed doubts about starter Josh Freeman after a down season in 2012. The report says that while Schiano has said that Freeman will be the starter for next season, the team is not totally sold on him, leaving the door open for Tebow, who was recently seen working out in town with former quarterback Vinny Testaverde.
The Buccaneers went after both Chase Daniel and Matt Cassel as well as Carson Palmer and according to the report, Schiano is the one in the organization not sold on Freeman, which is one reason why the team brought back backup Dan Orlovsky. Schiano did not select Freeman, although GM Mark Dominik did, leaving the team in a tough spot. The Bucs gave up a lot for Revis in two picks including a first rounder, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't go after Tebow as well.
Despite the fact that a deal is unlikely, Tebow could make his way to the team if he is released by the Jets, which appears to be a realistic possibility. Tebow rushed for over 100 yards and three for 39 with the Jets last season, but they had no idea how to use him and that could be something Schiano could figure out. Schiano is from Rutgers and he loves having tough, hardworking players and that's exactly what Tebow would be.
If Tebow made it to the team and didn't start, he could at least push Freeman heading into next season and since the Bucs have so much cap space, a deal for Tebow would not hamper them heading into the draft later in the month. Tebow is from Florida and has a big following there, something that could help with attendance as well as excitement for the franchise.
During his career Tebow proved he could win with the Broncos and he went 8-6 as a starter while taking the team to the playoffs and a division title. Despite the fact that he has less experience than Freeman, Tebow has done something that the quarterback never has done and he would be an upgrade over Orlovsky, who played in just one game last season and has less starts than Tebow in his career.
The Jets had no idea how to use the quarterback and if he could make it out of there and onto a team that believes in him, Tebow could make the sparks fly once again. The Jets were just 6-10 last season and there is no chance he will be on the roster for training camp, as the team already has Mark Sanchez, Greg McElroy, Matt Simms and David Garrard at quarterback.
