Simms Makes Case for Third Jets QB Spot, Tebow Pulls Off Win

With all the drama from the New York Jets (3-1) regarding its starting quarterback race, on Thursday there was a third player in the conversation: Matt Simms.

Yes, it is Phil’s son.

Matt Simms

Looking for a chance at the third quarterback spot versus his competition, Greg McElroy, he led the team in four scoring drives and threw 33 for 44 passes and 285 yards; he endured six sacks in the game’s first half. His efforts helped the team to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles (2-2) 27-20 in its last preseason game.

It now looks like Simms may be sticking around. He said of the game via the Associated Press, “Yeah, it was a lot of fun. To go out there and play like that, it’s just tremendous. Your dream finally comes true. It was everything and more.”

As for the rest of the quarterbacks in the Jets stable, rookie Geno Smith and Mark Sanchez, did not play in the game along with the team’s starters. Eagles quarterback Michael Vick was on on the sidelines while backup quarterback Nick Foles saw playing time. He went 6 for 17 and 63 yards. Rookie quarterback Matt Barkley took over for Foles in the second half and went 13 for 27, 134 yards and one interception.

Meanwhile, looking ahead to the regular season, also on Thursday, NFL.com reported that Sanchez, who is battling a bruised right shoulder, is unlikely to be ready for the season opener vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 8. He hasn’t thrown the ball since injuring it in last Saturday’s game against the New York Giants (1-3). He’s been considered day to day.

In Sanchez’s absence, Smith should get the starting nod for Week 1. He only participated in pregame warmups on Thursday.

For Smith, it’s his opportunity to lose and all along he was been open with his desire to be the starter. Will he make the most of it?

Look for the drama to continue with this team. Smith sits at 12/1 for the Offensive Rookie of the Year while the Jets sit with 6 1/2 games (+160 o, -200 u) for its regular season win total.

Tebow Pulls Off Fourth Quarter Miracle

In what many considered could be quarterback Tim Tebow’s last game for the New England Patriots (3-1), the player once again pulled off a fourth-quarter miracle, keeping his possibilities open to make the final cut.

Tebow entered the game in the third quarter and after a few sacks, he saw the Giants take a 20-14 lead. But not so fast.

The quarterback got his head in the game and led a 65-yard drive. He first threw an 11-yard pass to wide receiver Quentin Sims, then followed up a few plays later by again successfully hitting Sims with 14-yard pass; he ran it in for 39 yards. The Patriots took a 21-20 lead. The duo again connected at the end of the game with a nine-yard touchdown pass with six seconds remaining.

Tim Tebow

In between the good moments, Tebow did endure an overthrow, a drive with an interception and a punt.

For the game, Tebow went six for 11 passes, 91 yards, two touchdowns, and a pick. He also had six carries for 30 yards on the ground.

The player said after the game via the Associated Press, “I think I’ve improved in a lot of ways. One, learning this offense. Two, understanding more decision making. Getting the rhythm, understanding all the guys that I’m playing with.”

Now whether the Patriots are willing to give him another chance remains to be seen. Last week Tebow did not even take the field, which did not help his case.

For the 2013 regular season, the Patriots sits with an 11-game win total (+130 o, -160 u) and quarterback Tom Brady sits at 10/1 for the NFL MVP nod.