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When Tim Tebow walked into the locker room Thursday, with a crowd of reporters already camped out at his locker, his teammates sensed the moment -- a massive scrum/news conference -- and sounded off.

"Te-bow! Te-bow!" several players chanted.

A couple of players were creative and yelled out, "Lo-lo! Lo-lo!" That was a reference to U.S. hurdler Lolo Jones, who recently told HBO's "Real Sports" that she doesn't believe in premarital sex. Tebow, a devout Christian, shares that sentiment.

That the players razz Tebow shows they like him. As Tebow said, "If they didn't, then it means they didn't care. It is awesome, because they give me a hard time about it and that is great. If they didn't, that is when you have to worry."

Said CB Darrelle Revis: "Guys like to have fun. I hope Tim can handle it." Revis said he tweaked Tebow during practice, telling him after one of his interceptions, "Hey, thanks for throwing a turnover to us."

THINKING OF JIM: Rex Ryan insisted the team hasn't ruled out the possibility of re-signing safety Jim Leonhard, who is recovering from major knee surgery.

"I'm never going to say that," Ryan said.

Ryan's words notwithstanding, Leonhard's return appears to be a long shot, especially since they signed veteran S Yeremiah Bell. Leonhard's best chance might hinge on the health of LaRon Landry (Achilles tendon), who isn't a lock to be ready for training camp.

REX LOVES BART: Ryan offered unsolicited praise of LB Bart Scott, who only two months ago seemed like a goner. Scott has dropped 12 pounds and appears to be re-focused after a disappointing 2011 season. That they drafted his heir apparent, Demario Davis, might have a little something to do with it.

"Bart is ready to be Bart Scott, the guy we brought in here," Ryan said. "Bart would tell you that he had kind of a disappointing year last year, just like I'll tell you I had a disappointing year last year. This whole football team, definitely Bart and I, we want to have a great year this year. I think you see that."

Scott slowed down last season and struggled in pass coverage, and he was eventually removed from sub packages. Ryan noted that, with David Harris (calf) nursing an injury, Scott is working as the "Mike" LB in the sub package.

Wait, weren't they ready to trade this guy?

TAKE THIS PAD AND ...: RG Brandon Moore, a member of the NFLPA executive committee, doesn't think much of the league's new rule to mandate thigh and knee pads in 2013.

"I guess they're worried about thigh bruises and knee contusions ... but I don't know how that's helping player safety -- a thigh bruise," he said, alluding to bigger issues -- i.e. head trauma.

Asked if he thinks it was a PR move by the league, Moore said, "I don't know what it is, but I don't know how it falls in with player safety."

THIS AND THAT: As expected, DE Quinton Coples and WR Stephen Hill, both named rookie starters after the draft, worked with the first team. ... In addition to Scott, Ryan also singled out DE Muhammad Wilkerson as a player "jumping out at me." ... Ryan likes the tempo under new O.C. Tony Sparano. The offense is trying to work at a fast pace.

Notes and observations on the Jets and the NFL:

1. MARKED MAN: This notion that the Jets are setting up Mark Sanchez to fail because they want Tim Tebow to be the starting quarterback is total bunk. (One talking head actually suggested "the fix is in.") To paraphrase Wes Welker, the Jets have 20 million reasons to root for Sanchez -- the $20.5 million he's guaranteed in 2012 and 2013. Like they say in the old mob movies, just follow the money. That's how it works in professional sports. Why would the Jets want Sanchez, the handpicked QB of Rex Ryan and Mike Tannenbaum, to crash and burn? Yeah, the coaches and players are talking up Tebow (Darrelle Revis was in full gush), but it's just hot air in May. Here's the thing about players: They'll back whichever QB gives them the best chance to win. Right now, that's Sanchez. The organization hopes it stays that way.

2. DECISIONS, DECISIONS: QBs coach Matt Cavanaugh, in an interview with the New York Daily News, said most of Sanchez's 18 interceptions last season resulted from poor decisions. No kidding. Check out this stat: Over the last three seasons, Sanchez has thrown 38 interceptions when facing four or fewer rushers, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The bloated total, tied with Drew Brees for most in the league, suggests that, yes, he makes bad decisions when opponents use a standard rush and drop at least seven into coverage. By the way, Brees has 62 more TD passes than Sanchez against such pressure.

3. RINGING THE BELL: The Jets envision newly-signed safety Yeremiah Bell as a starter, meaning a Bell-LaRon Landry safety tandem. Here's the concern with that pairing: Both players are new to Ryan's defensive system, which is mentally challenging for the safeties. You need a cerebral player back there to make calls, and you could have the blind leading the blind with Bell and Landry. That's why Jim Leonhard was always so valuable; he knew how to get everybody lined up.

4. RUN, JOEY, RUN: Joey Clinkscales decided to leave his post as the head of college scouting, in part, because he was frustrated he wasn't given a bigger say on draft picks, according to a league source. He let his contract expire and took a job as the Raiders' director of player personnel -- maybe not a lateral move, but not a significant advancement, either. I hear the Jets, perhaps trying to convince him to stay, gave him a bigger say in the recent draft. Obviously, that didn't do the trick.

5. THE NEW GUY: The Jets hired Midwest scout Jeff Bauer to replace Clinkscales. Interesting background: He was a high-school coach in the Kansas City area and his backup QB was Mike Bradway, son of then-Chiefs executive Terry Bradway, according to the Des Moines Register. Bauer and the elder Bradway became friendly. A short time later, in 2001, Bradway was hired as the Jets' GM and he wound up hiring Bauer as the Midwest scout. Bradway remains with the Jets as a senior personnel executive. Bauer's glowing scouting report on RB Shonn Greene was one of the reasons why they drafted him in 2009.

6. MY TURN: I see that former Jets punter Steve Weatherford called me out on Twitter, claiming it was out of context to say he "ripped" Sanchez. I like Weatherford -- I wrote a glowing profile of him a few days before the Giants' Super Bowl win -- but this is a classic case of an athlete making a stink about the headline instead of owning up to his quotes below the headline. There's no doubt that Weatherford was critical of Sanchez's maturity level. That's the real story, not the headline.

7. MARSHALL PLAN: Because of Tony Sparano's background with the Dolphins, the Jets have been watching some Miami tape in an effort to learn his system. Rookie wide receiver Stephen Hill has spent a lot of time studying ex-Dolphin Brandon Marshall, another big-bodied wideout. Hopefully, Hill doesn't try to emulate Marshall's lack of balance along the sideline.

8. ROGER THAT: I'm dating myself here, but offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo's effusive defense of right tackle Wayne Hunter reminded of a long-ago quote from a long-forgotten Jets assistant. If you didn't catch it, DeGuglielmo said of Hunter, "Until they tell me otherwise, until they ship him out of this building or until they shoot me dead in my office, that sonofagun is going to be the starting right tackle." Back in '87 or '88, running backs coach Bobby Hammond was peppered with questions about the struggling Roger Vick, a No. 1 pick in '87. Hammond got fired up and said he'd "go to my grave" believing Vick would be a top back. That was a swing and a big miss; we're talking a Dave Kingman miss.

9. THE POWER OF BILL: Welker wouldn't make a good agent. He told reporters his contract negotiations have "actually gotten worse," and suddenly there's a story in the Boston Globe saying those comments weren't well-received in the Belichick bunker. So Welker backtracked, saying it was "probably a bad choice of words" and insisting he's happy with his franchise tag. At least he didn't say they were taken out of context; give him credit for that.

10. TALL TALE: 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh told a radio program that Michael Crabtree has "the best hands I've ever seen on a wide receiver." Wow, and they say Rex Ryan is prone to hyperbole.

At the end of the season, Rex Ryan said he would take a more active role in day-to-day coaching, specifically with the defense. It's still early, but he apparently is doing just that, perhaps to regain the pulse of the team, which he admittedly lost last season.

"He did fade off a little bit, I don’t know what reason for," Darrelle Revis told the New York Post and the Star-Ledger of Newark Monday at David Harris' charity golf tournament in New Jersey. "But he's the head coach, he has a lot on his plate, a lot of pressure. It's just something that maybe he thought he put more trust in the coaching staff, and seeing that it kind of hurt us last year, maybe, a little bit.

"Not to frown on any coaches or anything, how they coached, but it’s good to see your head coach being involved, at least just putting his two cents in," Revis added. "You just hear his voice every now and then in the meeting room, so I think it is good."

Ryan made defensive coordinator Mike Pettine the primary play caller last season. For Ryan, it seemed to be a natural evolution. After two seasons of being heavily involved, he delegated to his right-hand man. In retrospect, Ryan realizes he got away from what he does best, rolling up his sleeves and coaching.

It's unclear how the playcalling responsibilities will be handled in 2012. Pettine, speaking at a recent charity event, described it as a collaborative effort in either case. He sounded in favor of Ryan returning to his previous role.

"I told him, 'Rex, look at yourself in the mirror, you're a football coach,'" said Pettine, acknowledging that Ryan "strayed a little bit" from the old Rex.

Revis believes Ryan wants to spend more time in the meeting rooms, closer to the players, to prevent a repeat of last season -- the locker-room discord that ruined the team in December. That sounds good, but the problems last season were on offense, not defense.

"He got wind of it at the tail end of the season," Revis said of the dissension. "We tried to address it earlier through the players, and it didn’t work. ... He was blind from it, because he thought it was over, and at the tail end all this other stuff started coming out. I think that’s why he's coming around more, to be more involved in what's going on, and what's everybody doing, and just talking to guys and making sure we’re sound as a team."

Rich Cimini and Jane McManus discuss the Jets' quarterback dynamic this offseason, Darrelle Revis' war of words with Bill Belichick and the relationship between Wayne Hunter and Santonio Holmes.

Three weeks after hinting he might stage a training-camp holdout, CB Darrelle Revis said all the right things Thursday about his contract situation.

Revis said "let's quit talking about holding out," claiming his focus is on the team. Asked point-blank if he's happy with his current contract, which is playing him $7.5 million this season, Revis replied: "Yeah, I'm cool. I signed it two years ago. I'm not unhappy about nothing."

Revis said his agents haven't had any discussions with the Jets, but he's thought to be seeking a new contract.

In September, 2010, following a 35-day holdout, Revis signed a four-year, $46 million contract, basically a one-year extension to his rookie deal. Both sides had hoped to work out a long-term extension, but they couldn't get anywhere close to an agreement, so they settled for what was described as a "Band-Aid" deal.

Revis made $32.5 million the last two seasons, which is a very nice Band-Aid, but now there are rumblings he wants a new deal that will continue to pay him an average of $16 million per year. The Jets aren't likely to re-work his deal.

Meanwhile, TE Dustin Keller, entering the final year of his rookie contract, said there have been no substantive discussions regarding a new deal.

"We'll see as time goes on," Keller said. "Previous guys have gotten theirs done around camp time. We'll see what happens."

In recent years, core players such as D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold and David Harris have received new deals before or during training camp.

How good was Darrelle Revis last season? According to ProFootballFocus.com, the stats-oriented web site for hardcore fans, the Jets' All-Pro cornerback was the fifth-best player in the NFL.

In case you're wondering, the top four were Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, 49ers DE Justin Smith, Saints QB Drew Brees and Lions WR Calvin Johnson. PFF released its top 101 just last week. The only other Jets on the list are DT Sione Pouha (36) and C Nick Mangold (46).

Here are some ridiculous numbers on Revis, as compiled by PFF:

• He allowed just 41.2 percent of all targets to be completed.

• He led NFL with a QB rating of 45.6 on passes into his coverage (among qualifying corners).

• He allowed just 26.1% of targets in fourth quarter to be caught for a QB rating of 1.3.

• He recorded 20 total pass breakups (interceptions + passes defensed).

• He allowed just one touchdown all season despite 85 targets (eat your heart out, Stevie Johnson).

The current storyline with Revis has shifted to off the field -- i.e. his contract situation. He has two years, $13.5 million remaining on a four-year contract, and Revis is thought to be seeking a new deal. Recently, he didn't rule out the possibility of holding out of training camp as a way to get a deal done. Things have been rather quiet the last two weeks. Too quiet.

Forbes magazine conducted an in-depth analysis of the NFL draft, from 2005 to 2009, and determined the Jets were the second-best drafting team in that span.

The researchers used a complex formula, but, in essence, they based the data on four variables: Percentage of games played, percentage of games started, career length and number of Pro Bowls earned. Their five most efficient teams, with their score:

1. Packers --141.3
2. Jets -- 138.9
3. Cowboys -- 128.4
4. Saints -- 126.1
5. Vikings -- 120.2

From 2005 to 2009, the Jets drafted D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold, Darrelle Revis, David Harris, Dustin Keller and Mark Sanchez, among others. If it weren't for the Vernon Gholston flop in '08, you'd have to think the Jets would've finished first.

Former Jets NT Kris Jenkins said Darrelle Revis should put his contract issues aside and be a team leader.

Jenkins respects Revis, saying he has "the heart of a defensive lineman in a cornerback's body," but in the aftermath of last season's locker-room mess, he hopes his former teammate can look past the money and galvanize the team.

"They need consistency right now," Jenkins told reporters Wednesday night at ESPN The Magazine's pre-draft party in Manhattan. "He has enough money. This time, I think he needs to get out there and make it more than about just getting the dollars."

Revis, who has two years remaining on his contract, wants a new deal and hinted the other day that he may stage his second training-camp holdout in three years.

"I know Revis is always going to do what's best for him and what's best for his business, his brand, but, in my opinion, at the end of the day, he has to realize he has to be a leader," said Jenkins, a studio analyst for SNY. "He's that guy now. Regardless of what's going on with (Mark) Sanchez, (Tim) Tebow ... when they step out on the field on defense, everybody is looking at him. There's no doubt in my mind the offense is as well."

Revis never has been a vocal leader, but "he can be the Ray Lewis of the Jets' defense if he wants to be," according to Jenkins.

Jenkins addressed a couple of other issues, saying the Jets need to replace RT Wayne Hunter and questioning Sanchez's ability to lead the team.

Jenkins said the team should draft a right tackle -- a "no-brainer," he said. He prefaced his remarks by saying he likes Hunter as a person, but he added: "I think he has the potential, but I think he showed last year it might be too big a platform for him. I think they need to take the time to get somebody in the free-agent market and they still need somebody young to come in and get ready to take over that spot."

On the Sanchez-Tebow quarterback dynamic, Jenkins said Tebow's "arm isn't capable" of leading the team to the Super Bowl.

"It all comes back to Sanchez," Jenkins said. "The million-dollar question of the day is, how does Sanchez handle this situation? With his confidence being an issue, with what he went through last year, with him having rough patches, does he get over this hump or does he fold? Right now, I want to see him get it, but I'm not 100 percent convinced he's ready to take on the team yet. I dont' know if Sanchez has that type of leadership capability."

This is the final part in a nine-part, position-by-position analysis, breaking down the Jets' needs and draft possibilties.

Position: Secondary

Depth chart: Darrelle Revis (CB), Antonio Cromartie (CB), LaRon Landry (S), Eric Smith (S), Kyle Wilson (CB), Isaiah Trufant (CB), Ellis Lankster (CB), Julian Posey (CB), Tracy Wilson (S), DeAngelo Smith (S).

Not under contract: Jim Leonhard (S), Donald Strickland (CB).

Scouting Report: What happened to the depth here? A year ago, the Jets felt so good about their back-end depth that they traded the solid and versatile Dwight Lowery to the Jaguars. They could use him now. Defections and an injury (Leonhard) have chipped away at the unit, leaving only five players with legit NFL experience. No wonder they're checking out free agents Yeremiah Bell (Dolphins) and Chris Johnson (Raiders). They're hurting in the secondary, and we all know how Rex Ryan loves him some DBs.

The good news is that Revis-Cromartie-Wilson gives them one of the better cornerback trios in the league, essential in Ryan's man-to-man scheme. They need to add a fourth corner. Safety still is a big question, even after the signing of Landry, hardly a sure thing because of his history with Achilles' tendon injuries. They absolutely will draft a safety -- ideally, a safety with range and the ability to cover the tight end. Leonhard, recovering from major knee surgery, remains a down-the-road option.

The Last Time: The last DB pick came in 2010, when they selected Wilson near the bottom of the first round.

Potential Targets: If S Mark Barron (Alabama) slips to the Jets at 16, it would be the ideal marriage of need and value. VP of college scouting Joey Clinkscales hinted that Barron might not be the right fit in a man-to-man system -- i.e. the Jets -- but that sounded like a smokescreen. True, Barron was used primarily as an in-the-box safety last season, but he has the ball skills (12 career INTs) and athleticism to play on the hash or in man-to-man. After Barron, the next-best safety is Harrison Smith (Notre Dame), who visited the Jets. He probably won't last until the Jets' second-round pick (47th), and there's a big dropoff in talent after Smith. Brandon Taylor (LSU), Markelle Martin (Oklahoma State) and Antonio Allen (South Carolina) are third-round possibilities.

At some point, they have to pick a corner. The Jets have done extensive work on Trumaine Johnson (Montana), who has Cromartie-like size (6-foot-2, 204) and terrific speed. Some scouts think Johnson could switch to free safety, which makes him appealing. But he's also a problem child, and that raises some red flags. Johnson is regarded as a second/third-round prospect. The Jets also have expressed interest in Jayron Hosley (Virginia Tech) and Omar Bolden (Arizona State), both projected in the third-to-fifth round range.

Need Factor (on a scale of 1 to 10): S -- 10; CB -- 5.

Darrelle Revis, speaking at a charity event Monday night in Manhattan, didn't rule out the possibility of holding out in training camp for a new contract. Don't be surprised; the tea leaves were easy to read, as I noted in this column two weeks ago.

Truth be told, Revis dropped the hint nearly two years ago.

In September, 2010, a few days after he ended his long holdout by signing a four-year, $46 million contract, Revis was interviewed by NBC's Peter King. Revis was asked on TV if he'd consider holding out for a new deal in 2012 after making $32.5 million in '10 and '11.

His response raised more than a few eyebrows because it came so soon after the Jets gave him a one-year extension for what amounted to $25 million, which was added to three years remaining on his rookie contract.

"That's a great question," Revis said, according to ProFootballTalk.com. "If I continue to play ball like I usually do, we'll probably be back at that same position we were this year."

And here we go.

Notes and observations on the Jets and the NFL:

1. The Gholston factor. The Jets say they learned a hard lesson from the Vernon Gholston debacle in 2008, one they will apply to the evaluation of DE/OLB hybrids in the upcoming draft. They drafted Gholston, a DE at Ohio State, to play OLB in their 3-4 system. They knew his football instincts were suspect, but they figured he'd be able to overcome the deficiency with his size and speed. They were wrong, as wrong as you can be about a player. This year, the scouting department placed a much greater emphasis on instinct during the grading process. Joey Clinkscales, VP of college scouting, claimed they won't be "gun shy" about picking a DE/OLB projection.

2. Drive a hybrid. The draftboard is filled with DE/OLB 'tweeners. In fact, seven of the eight OLBs on the Jets' board were DEs in college, the exception probably being Courtney Upshaw (Alabama). The Jets had better be confident in their grading system, because there are several hybrids that will be considered in the first and second round -- Melvin Ingram (South Carolina), Whitney Mercilus (Illinois), Andre Branch (Clemson), Chandler Jones (Syracuse) and Nick Perry (USC). When making the DE/OLB projection, athleticism, arm length and intelligence also are weighed heavily, according to Clinkscales.

3. Round 1 game plan. Here's what I expect the Jets to do Thursday night in the first round: A. Explore the possibility of trading way up for Alabama RB Trent Richardson; B. Explore the possibility of trading up a few spots for Ingram; C. Remain at No. 16 and take the best available player. They prefer a pass-rushing OLB, but could settle for a S (Alabama's Mark Barron), a DLM (Memphis' Dontari Poe) or a WR (Notre Dame's Michael Floyd).

4. Tony's Time. When a team installs a new offensive or defensive system, it has to tweak its player-evaluation system. You don't want to draft a square-peg player for a round-hole system. Soon after hiring O.C. Tony Sparano, the scouting department asked him to list what he considers the four critical factors at each position on offense. Armed with that info, the scouts did their thing, trying to find players that fit Sparano's system.

5. Strange, but true. During his pre-draft news conference, and later during a Q&A teleconference with season-ticket holders, Tannenbaum mentioned backup LG Caleb Schlauderaff no fewer than seven times. He got more mentions than that Tebow guy. What's up with that? Maybe Tannenbaum just likes the sound of Schlauderaff. I mean, who doesn't? Or maybe he's blowing smoke and is planning to take Stanford G David DeCastro.

6. Jets vs. Revis, III. The Darrelle Revis contract situation bears watching after the draft. It's sure to produce some sharply divided opinions. Pro-Revis: He's the best corner in football, maybe the best defensive player, and is underpaid with a combined $13.5 million over the next two seasons. Anti-Revis: He already has made $47.5 million in five years, exceeding his rookie contract by $11.5 million. He received a six-year, $36 million rookie deal, but the two sides re-negotiated two years ago, with Revis getting a $25 million sweetener on a one-year extension.

7. Oh, brother. If the Jets don't draft Chandler Jones, maybe they should look into signing his brother. Jon (Bones) Jones, 24, is the UFC light-heavyweight champion. He's 6-foot-4, 205 pounds. They could make him an OLB and have him cover former rugby star-turned-TE Hayden Smith.

8. Buzzzz. How can any self-respecting Steelers fan look at their team's new throwback jerseys and not laugh? Or cringe? They remind me of the "Bad News Bees" sketch on the old Saturday Night Live.

9. Go ahead, mock me. My current half-mock (and I reserve the right to change my mind): 1. Colts -- Andrew Luck, 2. Redskins -- Robert Griffin III, 3. Vikings -- Morris Claiborne, 4. Browns -- Trent Richardson, 5. Bucs -- Matt Kalil, 6. Rams -- Fletcher Cox, 7. Jaguars -- Justin Blackmon, 8. Dolphins -- Ryan Tannehill, 9. Panthers -- Stephon Gilmore, 10. Bills -- Michael Floyd, 11. Chiefs -- Luke Kuechly, 12. Seahawks -- Quinton Coples, 13. Cards -- David DeCastro, 14. Cowboys -- Mark Barron, 15. Eagles -- Dontari Poe, 16. Jets -- Melvin Ingram.

10. Different strokes. On Saturday, I wrote a piece on the Jets' draft room -- specifically, the people in the room (a total of 13) and how they make decisions. GM Mike Tannenbaum appreciates input from everyone. Not surprisingly, the Patriots have a different approach. The NFL Network's Mike Lombardi, who used to work with Bill Belichick, described the Belichick way (quote courtesy of ESPNBoston.com): "The draft room will be very small. ... It will only be four people. Belichick's big thing is that he's not looking for more opinions, he's looking for right opinions. The scouts do their job, which is prepare him for the draft, then ... there is only one decision-maker in New England. He doesn't want any confusion on draft day."

Sunday notes, thoughts and observations on the Jets and the NFL:

1. Let's make a deal. If the Jets want to trade up, the highest logical target is the Jaguars (No. 7 overall), who may be looking to deal out. What would it take to go up nine spots? According to the trade value chart, which serves as a guide to teams, the Jets would have to give up their first-, second- and fifth-round picks -- plus maybe a seventh-round throw-in. There's speculation the Jets are willing to move up to No. 7 for South Carolina OLB Melvin Ingram. In my opinion, that would be too much to surrender for a short-armed pass rusher who started only one season. Don't get me wrong, he's a terrific prospect, but he's not one of the elite players. For Alabama RB Trent Richardson, I'd do it. He could change the entire offense.

2. The gang's all here. Monday is the start of the off-season program, which means the Jets will be together for the first time since the Miami meltdown on Jan. 1. Technically, these are "voluntary" workouts, but attendance is critical, especially for the Jets. They need to rebuild their chemistry and start learning Tony Sparano's offense. So far, no word on any disgruntled players that are planning to skip. Yes, CB Darrelle Revis, who is seeking a new contract, will be there on Day 1.

3. Darrelle's dollars. A few days ago, I wrote about the Revis contract, which has two years, $13.5 million remaining. Two years ago, the two sides failed to hammer out a long-term deal, settling for a one-year extension. The Jets expressed two legitimate concerns during those negotiations -- uncertainty with the NFL collective bargaining agreement and the lack of a naming-rights deal for the new stadium. Well, the naming rights came a year later (MetLife reportedly is paying $17 million to $20 million a year), as did a new CBA. With those two issues resolved, it'll be interesting to see how the Jets handle the Revis situation.

4. Tim-bucks. File this under "better late than never," but here are some numbers on Tim Tebow's contract (inherited from the Broncos): In 2012, he will make $1.1 million in base pay, plus a $472,500 roster bonus, due on the second day of training camp. His cap number is $2.572 million, which includes a $1 million payment to the Broncos to satisfy the agreement the two teams made with regard to salary advances. In 2013, he will make $1.055 million in base salary, but his cap figure will be $2.586 million because of a $1.531 million payment due the Broncos. In 2014, his cap charge drops to $895,000, his base salary.

5. Tim-sanity. Those were eye-opening comments by Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas, who questioned Tebow's passing skill and said "some players" were bothered by all the attention lavished upon Tebow. You can bet Jets players will be paying close attention to Tebow and how he handles everything. He certainly hasn't been publicity shy since the trade; did you catch his sitdown on "Good Morning America"? I wonder how Bill Parcells would coach Tebow. Remember, Parcells is famous for saying he dislikes celebrity QBs. I assume that goes for celebrity backup QBs as well.

6. The '03 debacle. Not happy with the Jets' offseason? Relax, it could be worse. It could be 2003. That was a comedy of errors, culminating with one of the worst drafts in team history. It started when they lost WR Laveranues Coles to the Redskins. They received a first-round pick as compensation, but when they found out DT Josh Evans was facing a drug suspension, they panicked. They used the pick, and their own first-rounder, to trade up for DT Dewayne Robertson (No. 4 overall), who had a chronic knee condition. He was a bust; his career lasted only six years.

In fact, all seven players from the '03 draft are out of the league. The Titans and Bucs are the only other teams whose '03 drafts are wiped out -- and the Bucs didn't have a first-rounder. In case you're wondering, the Jets' top three picks that year were Robertson, LB Victor Hobson and FB B.J. Askew. Ah, nostalgia.

7. Irish eyes. I know Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd is one of the hot names in the draft, but I don't think the Jets would take him at 16. Nor should they. There's too much quality depth at receiver to take one that high. Plus, I'm not sold on Floyd. At 16, the Jets are looking at Alabama S Mark Barron, Alabama OLB Courtney Upshaw and Syracuse OLB Chandler Jones, whose stock is rising.

8. Class act. Phillip Wilson, a Colts beat writer for the Indianapolis Star, tweeted the other day that he received an unexpected phone call from Peyton Manning. The former Colts QB called to thank Wilson for years of coverage. That rarely happens in this business, folks, and it says a lot about Manning.

9. A good turn. Agents sometimes get a bad rap; they're not all shadowy characters. Example: Priority Sports, a Chicago-based firm, held a symposium for its clients last week that was designed to educate them on real-life matters -- everything from money management to divorce to nutrition. Jets G Brandon Moore was one of 45 attendees. The speakers included former MSG exec Steve Mills and several other CEOs from large companies. It's a great idea; maybe they should've invited Warren Sapp.

10. Miami's heat. I think one of the most compelling teams in the draft is the Dolphins, who still haven't found their quarterback. They flirted with a couple of free agents and, somehow, ended up with David Garrard. Now, picking eighth, there's pressure to land Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill, who could go as high as fourth. Do they make the move for Tannehill, satisfying a restless fan base, or do they stand pat and risk losing him? It should be great theater.

Notes, thoughts and observations on the Jets and the NFL:

1. Money sleeps. Potentially alarming news for the Jets: The management council informed teams last week at the league meetings that the salary cap probably will remain relatively flat over the next three years, according to ESPN's John Clayton. The current cap is $120.6 million and, despite soaring revenues, the projected increase is only $1 million by 2015. The Jets already have several huge contracts on their cap and the biggest one of them all is looming in 2013 -- CB Darrelle Revis, who has two years left on his deal. Revis is in line for the biggest contract in history for a defensive player. Prediction: Headaches, lots of headaches. This is why the Jets need to score big in the draft; it's the most cost-efficient way to build a team.

2. Money matters. While on the subject of the cap, the Jets had $7.6 million in space as of Friday, according to ProFootballTalk.com. QB Tim Tebow is counting $2.572 million on the cap, rather hefty for a backup. Approximately $5 million will go to the draft picks, leaving them some money for free agents. The Jets' plan is to wait until after the draft to sign a veteran receiver, with Braylon Edwards on their radar.

3. Te for two. Tebow's running ability could change the way the Jets approach two-point conversions. He had two rushing two-point conversions last season, tying Danny Woodhead and Danny Ware for most in the NFL, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Tebow was the QB for four two-point conversion attempts, the only failure on a pass play. Two of three successes came on option plays (Tebow kept one, handed off another) and the other was on a QB draw.

4. Timsanity. Based on stats, you'd have to say that teams started to figure out how to stop Tebow's running by the end of last season. In his first six starts, he averaged 5.9 yards per carry. In his last five starts, it dropped to 4.7.

5. Living on the edge. You may not agree with all of Mike Tannenbaum's personnel moves, but you have to admit, the man is a fearless GM. Think of all the bold moves he's made -- Brett Favre, Santonio Holmes, Plaxico Burress, Edwards and, of course, Tebow. Tannenbaum's managerial style contradicts his conservative persona.

6. If at first ... It's mind-boggling to think how many draft picks the Jets have used in recent years on quarterbacks. 2006: Drafted Kellen Clemens in the second round; 2008: Traded a third-round pick for Favre; 2009: Traded first- and second-round picks to move up for Mark Sanchez; 2011: Drafted Greg McElroy in the seventh round; 2012: Traded a fourth-round pick for Tebow. To recap, that's a 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 -- basically, the guts of an entire draft.

7. Heavy hitters. Rex Ryan believes recently-signed S LaRon Landry will make a major impact. "Wait until you see this dude on the field," he said. "As impressive as he looks, put the tape on and see if he’s not knocking the tar out of people. I mean, you put this guy between Bart (Scott) and David Harris … oh, I can’t wait to see these dudes on the field. There’s gonna be some collisions out there."

8. Cajun Tuna? Sorry, but the idea of Bill Parcells coaching the Saints just has a bad feel. He's a brilliant coach, but the situation would have a substitute-teacher feel to it. I asked former Jets great Curtis Martin about a possible return by his mentor, and he said, "Whatever makes him happy; he's earned it. I really don't have an opinion one way or the other ... Unlike me, football has been the majority of Bill's life. He has a different connection to it than I do." If Parcells returns, he'd have to wait another five years to be eligible for the Hall of Fame. By the way, Parcells already has accepted Martin's invitation to present him at the Hall-of-Fame induction ceremony in August.

9. Poker face. Colts owner Jim Irsay said they haven't decided whether it will be Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III with the first pick in the draft. He said it's "up in the air." Don't believe him; it's Luck all the way. He's been fascinated by Luck for more than a year, before he ever thought he'd have a chance to pick him.

10. QB III. Don't be surprised if the first three picks are quarterbacks -- Luck, RG3 and Ryan Tannehill. The Vikings won't take him with the third pick, but some desperate team (the Dolphins come to mind) will give up the store to move up ahead of the Browns (fourth), who also could be in the QB market. It's amazing how teams will reach for a quarterback.

Bill Belichick has been called worse.

But it certainly caught Rob Gronkowski off guard on SportsCenter on Wednesday when Darrelle Revis called the Patriots coach "a jerk" during a word-association segment.

"Wow. I wasn't expecting that one," a flustered Gronkowski said.

Revis quickly explained his reasoning.

"Just some of the comments he says about the Jets," Revis said.

Gronkowski called Jets coach Rex Ryan an "entertainer."

Even though Revis got in the first punch, Gronkowski came back with a counter.

After Revis called Tim Tebow "a competitor," Gronkowski said, "starting quarterback for the Jets."

"That's a good one," Revis said.

Wonder if Mark Sanchez was watching.

At the end of what felt like an awkward segment, Revis called Gronkowski "a beast," while the Patriots tight end called Revis "the best corner in the NFL."

Mark Sanchez is "more of a complete quarterback" than Tim Tebow, according to arguably the best shutdown cornerback in the NFL.

“Not to [come] down [on] Tim Tebow, but he needs to get a bit more quarterback experience,” Darrelle Revis said Wednesday on ESPN New York 1050’s “Ruocco and Lundberg” show.

“He had an unbelievable season, but he’s coming into a different offense that he needs to learn, and it might take some time.”

Revis endorsed Sanchez, calling “the starter of the New York Jets as of [Wednesday] and into the future until otherwise.”

Revis believes Sanchez is a “secure guy” and strong enough to handle the situation, as long as the fourth-year signal-caller focuses on this upcoming season.

“But you gotta understand, we’re all human,” Revis pointed out. “For example, if they brought another elite cornerback in, I would feel some type of way because I’d feel my job might be in jeopardy.”

Still, Revis feels that Tebow can help the Jets “in a lot of ways.”

“I think that’s why we added him to the team to help us out,” Revis said. “I don’t know who’s gonna start, but as of [Wednesday], Mark is our leader right now on the offensive side of the ball.”

Revis also said that he thinks that Sanchez will be able to take Tebow under his wing and help him out.

During an appearance on SportsCenter earlier Wedneday, Revis described the locker room as being in a state of “disarray.”

Revis said the most troubling part of last season was a lack of team chemistry and team unity.

“Behind closed doors we tried to make it work and fix the problems, but it escalated to something bigger, and sometimes that can happen with teams, and it happened to us last year,” Revis said.

Revis said the Jets need to be able to trust one another in 2012, and fight for the same cause: winning games.

He hopes that the team addresses the issues in the offseason.

A four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, Revis has always been one to lead by example.

But he is becoming more open to the idea that he might have to become more vocal.

“Maybe that’s something I might need to look into this year,” Revis said.