We all have relationships that we regret. Not in the "Why didn't we break up after the first date?" type of way, but because of a feeling that you let a good one slip through your hands.
Tim Tebow and the Jacksonville Jaguars are like that.
They never quite got together, despite their flirtations in the off-season. The Jags didn't pursue him aggressively enough when Tebow became a Denver outcast. Tebow didn't feel the love of returning to his hometown and was traded to the New York Jets.
The botched romance once again comes up on our radar screen. The NFL trade deadline came and went last Thursday, and Tebow stayed in New York. The Jaguars got creamed in their backyard on Sunday, losing 31-14 to the Detroit Lions and dropping to 1-7, their worst start in franchise history.
Both Tebow and the Jags are irrelevant. The Jags are a competitive afterthought, having been outscored by 92 points in four home losses. A fifth one looms this coming Thursday when the resurgent Indianapolis Colts and Andrew Luck come to town.
Tebow had a bye week, which wasn't entirely non-newsworthy. Tebow was reportedly spotted with actress Camilla Belle out on the town in Jacksonville. "Tim Tebow has finally scored — problem is, it's off the field — because TMZ got the first pic showing Tim with his hot new girlfriend/actress, who is no stranger to famous virgins."
There had been rumors of another hookup, this one with the Jags through a trade, that didn't prove true.
You have to wonder why. Tebow is an outcast in his own family. The New York Jets are embracing him with all the warmth that you feel when a relative gives you a fruitcake for Christmas. Yuck.
After all the off-season hoopla after the Jets acquired Tebow, he has taken just 60 offensive snaps in the Jets 3-5 start.
This despite the fact that starter Mark Sanchez has been awful at times. So why not give Tebow a shot? Why even sign him in the first place?
Some sideline observers wonder if coach Rex Ryan is afraid that Tebow would have a flash of success in a cameo role, thus triggering Tebowmania into all its dysfunctional glory in New York.
Hello? Everyone in the world knew that the Jets were setting themselves up for this craziness when they signed Tebow. This is what you get with Tebow. He energizes the masses who believe he will be a star in the NFL. He energizes the cynics who believe he will never be nothing more than a backup scrub.
But the one place in the world that makes sense for the Great Tebow Experiment is Jacksonville. The Denver front office, led by John Elway, was always lukewarm to Tebow, even when he led them to the playoffs.
They were forced to run a limited, junk offense because they had no choice. Then they got a significant upgrade with Peyton Manning and gladly got rid of the most polarizing clipboard holder in the NFL.
The Jags should have made a big push for Tebow. How low can you go beyond 1-7?
"I think [the Jaguars] are pretty satisfied here at quarterback," Jacksonville quarterback Blaine Gabbert said earlier this week. I wonder how cocky he is now after throwing for just 220 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in a blowout loss?
Gabbert is not a franchise quarterback. He is a placeholder.
I'm not sure Tim Tebow is a franchise QB either. But he is a guy who should have been pursued by his hometown team with all the bells and whistles of limos, champagne and red roses.
Too late now.
Tebow makes headlines only because he is dating cute Camilla.
The Jags make headlines by continuing to be an ugly NFL team that deserves a bag over its head.
Read George Diaz's blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/enfuego or email him at gdiaz@orlandosentinel.com He is a regular contributor on the Joel Greenberg Show weekdays 4-6 p.m. on 810 AM Yahoo! Sports Radio Orlando.
