Tim Tebow dropped back from center, stared down his receiver and threw a low pass that was snared by diving Cincinnati Bengals rookie linebacker Vontaze Burfict. Tebow never saw him coming.
That was the last pass of Tebow's New York Jets debut, which can be classified as a mixed bag at best. The entire game looked very familiar to anyone that watched Tebow and Mark Sanchez play last season.
The Jets' offense barely moved the ball in two drives by Sanchez. He was sacked twice and completed 4 of 6 passes for just 21 yards. The most notable play Sanchez made was a scramble for a first down.
"I had a little scramble there, channeled my inner Tebow, got the first down, that was good," Sanchez told WCBS-TV.
Sanchez also mentioned that he didn't get great protection. He was right. The same was true for Tebow, but the former Denver Bronco knows how to escape. He finished with 34 yards on four carries, two going for first downs.
All the classic Tebow elements were in place. He occasionally held the ball too long. He escaped danger with some terrific running. He threw the ball out of bounds by 10 yards on one sideline route and hit a cheerleader with another toss. He also made a nice timing throw on a slant over the middle.
"I did some things pretty good," Tebow said, via The Associated Press. "Obviously I want that last throw back. I tried to put it low and outside. Just a stupid play by me."
The Jets moved the ball a little better with Tebow, but they only scored three points in four possessions and eventually lost 17-6.
