Tim Tebow - Mark Sanchez: Which Quarterback Deserves to Start? [New York Jets News]

When the Jets traded for Tim Tebow, they insisted he would be Mark Sanchez's backup. That hasn't stopped fans and media members from speculating if and when Tebow will take over the starting job.

ESPN analysts Stephen A. Smith and Chris Carter spent a large portion of Thursday's SportsCenter debating who should take snaps for the Jets, even though the 2012 Season doesn't start for another four months.

Tebow has impressed a lot of people at Jets camp, and his new teammates have said a lot of kind words about him. Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis praised Tebow when speaking with the media.

He's a born leader, Revis said. Very few athletes have the gift he has. He tries to lead by example all the time.

Despite all the kind words being said about Tebow, Sanchez will almost certainly begin the season under center for New York. He signed a contract extension in March, and led Gang Green to the AFC Championship game in his first two seasons in the NFL.

The Jets have also stated countless times that they acquired Tebow to backup Sanchez, and play in the Wildcat offense. The Jets traded a fourth and sixth round draft pick for Tebow and a Broncos seventh round selection.

New York would have a lot of egg on their face if Sanchez began the 2012 Season on the bench.

But who deserves to start for the Jets?

Both Tebow and Sanchez have somewhat similar resumes. The quarterbacks have a reputation for winning games while putting up subpar stats.

In 2009 and 2010, Sanchez and the Jets came one game away from reaching the Super Bowl. The quarterback got credit for helping his team win games, but threw four more interceptions than touchdowns during that time.

Sanchez was better last season, completing 26 touchdowns and 18 interceptions, but the Jets failed to make the postseason.

Tebow is the ultimate example of a player whose impact can't be measured by stats.

He turned Denver's season around in 2011 when he took over as the starter, and led them to a division title and a playoff win. The former Bronco did this while posting the worst completion percentage of any starting quarterback in the league.

Sanchez has been a winner with the Jets, but many in the organization reportedly don't think he has what it takes to lead the Jets to the Promised Land.

If New York truly doesn't believe Sanchez has what it takes to get to the next level, Tebow may eventually get his shot to prove that last season wasn't a fluke.

It's Sanchez's job to lose, but it might not take much for him to lose it.