When the New York Jets traded for Tim Tebow this offseason, the team spoke about using the former Florida star at a Wildcat option and as a change-of-pace quarterback.
So far this season that has not exactly worked out, with so-called "Tebow Experiment" being largely a failure.
Although starter Mark Sanchez has struggled, Tebow has not factored into the offense much, scoring zero touchdowns and gaining 64 rushing yards on 18 attempts. He has completed 2-of-3 passes for 32 yards and has two tackles on kick coverage.
That may change this week as the Jets travel to New England to take on their AFC East division rival Patriots.
During Thursday's press conference, head coach Rex Ryan spoke to the media and said that Tebow could possible play running back against New England on Sunday.
"That's a possibility," Ryan said, according to ESPNNewYork.com. "The thing about Tim, with him being a football player like we've always talked about, by playing quarterback he knows all the positions and so, can you plug him in at running back? Can you plug him in at tight end, whatever? I think the answer is yes."
Tebow brings an interesting skillset to the field and could create some interesting matchups against the Patriots of he used at running back. So far this season he has taken a few snaps at running back, but they have been in the shotgun and wildcat formations.
"I would be ready for whatever I would be asked to do, absolutely," Tebow said Wednesday.
Belichick, speaking Wednesday, said Tebow is "really another running back for them."
Apart from starter Shonn Greene, the Jets are weak at running back, which could be a reason why they are thinking of using Tebow at the position. Although Greene had an excellent game last Sunday against the Colts, rushing for 161 yards, the Jets rank only 15th in rushing.
"He's a good runner, he's a strong runner, very strong," Belichick said Tuesday. "He's mobile in the pocket, (a) smart player, he can do a lot of different things. Different option plays and things like that, so you certainly have to be aware of him when he's in there."
The Jets have experience using players at different positions than they are accustomed to. The team has used running back Joe McKnight as a cornerback and has also used defensive back Antonio Cromartie as a receiver in some packages.
Even if the Jets don't use Tebow or he is ineffective as a quarterback, the team already has an advantage by making the Patriots
Since Tebow hasn't done much as a quarterback, this could actually work out for the Jets. The team lacks playmakers on offense and is thin at wide receiver after Santonio Holmes was lost for the season due to an injury. Tebow could help to provide the spark that the team has been missing.
It wasn't the plan from the start, but it could be the plan for the season now that injuries and reality have set in for the Jets. The team is ranked 30th in passing offense and is in the bottom half of league in scoring, averaging 22 points per game.
Before the season began, Ryan and offensive coordinator Tony Sparano said they planned to use Tebow in the wildcat formation to try and throw off the opposing defenses, but that has not worked out so far.
Tebow is a decisive figure for Jets fans and might be the first backup player in any sport to lead the league in jersey sales. He has been a good soldier with the Jets, downplaying any controversy with Sanchez and also lining up on punts as a blocker and as a returner on kickoffs, but everyone knows that like any other player, he is itching to start, even if it's at running back.
Tebow rose to prominence in the NFL as a rookie in 2010 after signing a five-year contract with the Denver Broncos, who drafted him in the first round. While not the most polished quarterback, he showed that he could make plays with his legs and lead the team to touchdowns and dramatic wins.
He started his first NFL game on Dec. 19, 2010, scoring on a 40-yard touchdown run and throwing a 33-yard touchdown pass. Tebow became the third quarterback in NFL history to throw for a touchdown of 30 or more yards and run for a touchdown of 40 or more yards in the same game.
The following year in 2011, Tebow began the season as the backup to Kyle Orton, but supplanted him as the starting quarterback in week six against the Miami Dolphins. Tebow led Denver from a 15-0 deficit in the last three minutes to win the game, 18-15, in overtime. Denver became the first team in NFL history to win a game after being down by at least 15 points with three minutes to play in a game.
He started the rest of the season for the Broncos and led them to the playoffs where they faced off against the Steelers in the first round. He hit wide receiver Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime for an 80-yard touchdown to seal his first career playoff win.
But the off season took some interesting turns for Tebow. After the Denver Broncos announced they were going to sign free agent Peyton Manning, they traded Tebow to the New York Jets.
So far the Jets haven't let Tebow run loose as he did in Denver, but if he is successful on Sunday, Tebow may have a new position in the NFL.
