Tebow makes TIME top 100 list

April, 18, 2012
Apr 18
11:01
AM ET
Tim Tebow made a top-100 list -- no, not the top 100 players in the NFL, but rather the most influential people in the world, per TIME magazine.

Tebow, the Jets' new backup QB, was the only NFL player on the list. He was joined by five other sports figures, including Knicks guard Jeremy Lin. Clearly, Tebow, known for his devout Christian beliefs, has transcended sports in a way that few athletes have done.

In the magazine, Lin writes the passage about Tebow, saying: "Watching Tim Tebow play football, you can observe many things about his character. You see his fierce competitiveness, his strong work ethic and how he is a leader that his teammates trust and respect.

"But it is the qualities that Tim, 24, embodies in his life off the field that truly set him apart. He is unashamed of his convictions and faith, and he lives a life that consistently reflects his values, day in and day out. Through his foundation, he constantly reaches out to people and communities in need of hope. He realizes what he has been blessed with and seeks to help those who are worse off. As athletes, we pour our hearts into winning games. Tim is a reminder that life is about much more than that."

Imagine if Tebow actually succeeds in New York. Will they re-name it TIM magazine?

Jets draft preview: Wide receiver

April, 18, 2012
Apr 18
5:10
AM ET
This is the third part in a nine-part, position-by-position analysis, breaking down needs and draft possibilities:

Position: Wide receiver

Depth Chart: Santonio Holmes, Jeremy Kerley, Patrick Turner, Chaz Schilens, Logan Payne, Eron Riley, Scotty McKnight, Dexter Jackson, Royce Adams.

Not Under Contract: Plaxico Burress (UFA).

Scouting Report: Next to safety, this is the thinnest area on the team. The Jets have one starting-caliber receiver -- Holmes -- and a lot of question marks. Kerley showed promise last season in the slot, so there's no need to worry about that, but they still need a starter to play opposite Holmes. (Burress won't be back.) They need a vertical threat, preferably over 6-feet, that can rip the top off the defense, creating room underneath for Holmes & Co.

On paper, former Raider Schilens (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) is the guy, but he has questionable durability, with only 72 catches in four seasons. You're reaching if you expect him to be the No. 2 receiver -- assuming Holmes is the No. 1. He didn't play or act like it last season, finishing with the worst production in his career as a starter. Based on completion percentage, he and QB Mark Sanchez had the worst chemistry of any quarterback/receiver tandem in the league. Why isn't that surprising? Former Jets Braylon Edwards is a post-draft option.

The Last Time: The Jets traded up last year to take Kerley in the fifth round, effectively replacing Brad Smith. The last time they picked a wideout in Round 1 was Santana Moss in 2001.

Potential Targets: The Jets could have a crack at the second-best receiver in the draft, Michael Floyd (Notre Dame), but it's hard to imagine a Rex Ryan-coached team pulling the trigger on a receiver at 16. This is a deep draft for pass catchers, and the Jets have visited with a handful that are projected as second rounders -- Alshon Jeffery (South Carolina), Stephen Hill (Georgia Tech), Reuben Randle (LSU) and Mohamed Sanu (Rutgers). Brian Quick (Appalachian State) also is rising quickly. They're all at least 6-foot-3, except for Sanu (6-foot-1 1/2). From the Jets' perspective, the best combination of college production and upside belongs to Jeffery, who has the second-highest receiving yardage total in SEC history. His problem is weight fluctuation; dude likes to eat a lot. If the Jets want to get nostalgic, they could pick Nick Toon (Wisconsin) in the third round. He's the son of former Jets great Al Toon.

Need Rating (on a scale of 1 to 10): 9

Next: Tight end

Five games that will decide the season

April, 17, 2012
Apr 17
9:12
PM ET


Every season includes pressure points, games that swing the season in one direction or another. After studying the Jets' 2012 schedule, released Tuesday night, we've identified five key games:

Week 1: Bills at Jets, 1 p.m.

Considering the way last season ended, the Jets need to start with a positive, team-unifying victory. So the NFL schedule maker provided a little help, giving the Jets their third straight season opener at home. That they face the Bills, a team they've beaten five straight times, doesn't hurt. Because of a tough early schedule, this is almost a must-win for the Jets. It's a chance to establish their identity, show the world how they're going to use Tim Tebow and deliver a statement to the AFC East's up-and-coming team.

Week 5: Texans at Jets, 8:30 p.m.

The Texans think their hot stuff, coming off the most successful season in franchise history. They're a trendy Super Bowl pick in 2012, and they'll be coming to MetLife Stadium with a Texas-sized chip on their shoulder. Why? The Jets have owned the all-time series -- 5-0. They've won blowouts, and they've won with miracle finishes. This game is a chance for the Jets to maintain their superiority over a talented, almost-elite team in the AFC.

Week 7: Jets at Patriots, 4:15 p.m.

After beating the Patriots in two out of three games in 2010, including the playoffs, the Jets were so cocky at the start of last season that Rex Ryan publicly challenged other teams to beat Tom Brady & Co. It was as if he was saying, "Hey, we can't do it by ourselves." Well, the words came back to haunt Ryan. The Jets got spanked twice last season, increasing the gap in the AFC East. Well, here's their first chance for a little get-back. If the you want rule the division, you have to knock off the champs.

Week 11: Patriots at Jets, 8:20 p.m.

The Jets will play on Thanksgiving for the third time since 2007. What could be better on a holiday than Bill Belichick and Ryan, Brady and Sanchez (or maybe Tebow?) and a whole lot of bad blood between the two rivals? If the Jets are as good as they think they'll be, this game will have huge implications in the standins. The Jets were embarrassed at home last season by the Patriots, who killed them with TE Rob Gronkowski. The Jets signed S LaRon Landry, in part, to neutralize the big fella.

Week 14: Jets at Titans, 8:30 p.m.

This is a Monday night in Nashville, the first of back-to-back prime-time games for the Jets. The Titans, on the rise under Mike Munchak, have one of the elite players in the league, RB Chris Johnson. This figures to be a physical game between two teams that want to run the ball, and a couple of teams that should be contenders in the AFC. The Jets have taken five of the last six in this rivalry.

Rapid Reaction: 2012 Jets schedule

April, 17, 2012
Apr 17
7:29
PM ET
ESPN.com illustration
The NFL released its full schedule of games Tuesday night. For the Jets, it begins and ends with the Bills. Take a look:

Strength of schedule: 20th in difficulty (based on opponents' 2011 results: 126-130, .492 winning percentage). Taking it a step further, the Jets' road schedule is tied for the seventh easiest.

For openers: The Jets' fans won't have to wait long to see Tim Tebow, as they open at home against the Bills in a 1 p.m. start. What could be better than opening against a team they've dominated in recent years? The Jets can unveil their Tebow-run Wildcat against the player who ran their Wildcat until 2010, Brad Smith, now a Bills' receiver.

Under the lights: The Jets have four prime-time games, down one from last season. All things considered, that's not bad in terms of exposure. How many teams get that much love a year after finishing 8-8? Three of the prime-time games are at MetLife Stadium: The Texans (Oct. 8, Monday night), Patriots (Nov. 22, Thanksgiving) and the Chargers (Dec. 23, Sunday night). The Jets will also visit the Titans on Dec. 17, a Monday night. Let's face it, the Jets will be must-see TV.

Toughest stretch: The Jets lucked out here because there are no brutal stretches in the schedule. The toughest period comes early, when they face the Steelers, 49ers and Texans in a four-game span -- all 2011 playoff teams. That qualifies as a "bunch," considering the Jets have a total of only five games versus 2011 playoff teams. There's another tough turnaround later in the season, when they return from St. Louis and have only three days to prepare for the Patriots on Thanksgiving night. Later on, they have three road games in four weeks, but the opponents aren't too formidable.

Can't-miss game: Every Jets-Patriots game is a can't-miss, but put the two bitter rivals in prime time on Turkey Day ... well, you're talking about something special.

The 2012 Schedule

9/9 -- Sunday -- Buffalo, 1 p.m., CBS
9/16 -- Sunday -- at Pittsburgh, 4:15 p.m., CBS
9/23 -- Sunday -- at Miami, 1 p.m., CBS
9/30 -- Sunday -- San Francisco, 1 p.m., FOX
10/8 -- Monday -- Houston, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
10/14 -- Sunday -- Indianapolis, 1 p.m., CBS
10/21 -- Sunday -- at New England, 4:15 p.m., CBS
10/28 -- Sunday -- Miami, 1 p.m., CBS
11/4 -- Bye
11/11 -- Sunday -- at Seattle, 4:05 p.m., CBS
11/18 -- Sunday -- at St. Louis, 1 p.m., CBS
11/22 -- Thursday -- New England, 8:20 p.m., NBC
12/2 -- Sunday -- Arizona, 1 p.m.*, FOX*
12/9 -- Sunday -- at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.*, CBS*
12/17 -- Monday -- at Tennessee, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
12/23 -- Sunday -- San Diego, 8:20 p.m.*, NBC*
12/30 -- Sunday -- at Buffalo, 1 p.m.*, CBS*

* Flex scheduling

Draft profile: OLB Melvin Ingram

April, 17, 2012
Apr 17
1:40
PM ET
Over the next nine days, we'll profile players in the draft, focusing primarily on players the Jets may choose in the first round (16th overall).

Player: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Height/weight: 6-foot-1 1/2, 264 pounds

Scouts, Inc. ranking: 12th

Draft projection: First round (seventh to 16th)

Scouting report: Ingram is one of the most intriguing players in the draft because he can play so many positions -- DE, OLB and DT. I spoke to one scout who said Ingram can be a 4-3 MLB. A creative defensive coordinator could have a field day with him, lining him up in different spots. The Jets really like Ingram, perhaps enough to trade up a few spots. He's a fluid athlete with excellent wheels. (He was a 225-pound point guard in high school.) He scored three TDs last season, including a 68-yard run on a fake punt. The other two TDs were fumble recoveries. He ran the 40 in 4.71 seconds and his 10-yard split is 1.61, which shows his burst. The knock on Ingram is that he has short arms (31 1/2 inches). That may not seem like a big deal, but a pass rusher with short arms often struggles to disengage from blockers. He has been training with Broncos LB Von Miller.

Key Stat: He played four seasons at South Carolina, but started only one year, finishing with 21.5 sacks (10 last season).

Red flags: Missed the 2008 season with a broken foot.

In his own words: (On not starting until last season) "Just coming in, (I was) in a situation where there was somebody else better than me. I had to play my role on the team. I did whatever the team needed me to do. At that point and time it wasn't for me to be a starter ... I feel like playing so many roles helped me. I feel like my coach gave me the opportunity to show my athletic ability in every way."

FanSpeak: Tim Te-boo?

April, 17, 2012
Apr 17
12:48
PM ET
video


Tim Tebow ventured into Yankee Stadium and was met with boos from Yankee fans. Was this deserved?

From Booing Tebow: Was it you?:

"yankee fans are giants fans. he has not done anything for new york yet. eli manning is just as generous as tim tebow, yet you dont hear bout it because he does it not for the publicity but bc hes a descent human being. im not saying tebow isnt, but when you have the chance to play in your hometown, go home and not to ny. we dont need to be driving through the city seeing posters of some guy who is in for a rude awakening at the hands of rex ryan. rex is saying all the right things now, but what happens when his profanity is too vulgar for him. tebow... go home and save some franchise that needs saving, not some place where they have a qb."
- Jimboslice1104

Ed.'s note -- The Yankees/Giants and Mets/Jets bond is real but it seemed as if the fans were booing Tebow as a public figure more than as a football player.

"And, yes, the morons in Yankee Stadium were clearly booing Wade because he helped beat the Knicks. If New York Yankee fans are ANYTHING, it's bad losers. Keep crying you bums."
- georohrs270

Ed.'s note -- Would cheering for Dwyane Wade make them good losers?

"I was sitting directly behind them and we didn't hear much in the way of boos. I shouted "Start him! Start him now!"
- TPman101

Ed.'s note -- He'll be hearing a lot more of that.

From Yankees fans boo Tim Tebow:

"welcome to NY tim. you have to prove yourself before you get cheered. eli manning used to be booed, then he won two super bowls, and he is now one of the most recognizable and respected figures in the city. you go to the stadium of the most successful franchise in sports history without having proved a damn thing, and you will get booed"
- mikesportsfan8

Ed.'s note -- Booing is the default setting for New York fans. Work your way up to standing ovations by winning a championship.

"i dont think tebow was ever booed in college or denver. let's see if it has any major effect. I'm guessing it doesn't"
- vamanos amigos

Ed.'s note -- If he’s any good it won’t.

The Jets and Giants are just getting started, the Rangers and Devils are in the playoffs, the Knicks are looking to the playoffs and the Mets and Yanks are in full swing. Keep those comments coming (hey, at least you know we're paying attention).

Get ready, schedule released Tuesday

April, 17, 2012
Apr 17
9:24
AM ET
Any guesses on the Jets' Week 1 opponent? Will they open the 2012 season in prime time? We'll know the answers at 7 p.m. Tuesday, when the NFL releases the full regular-season schedule.

Tune in to SportsCenter at 7 for everything you need to know about the schedule.

We know the Jets' opponents, of course. Here they are:

Home: Patriots, Bills, Dolphins, Cards, Texans, 49ers, Chargers and Colts.

Away: Patriots, Bills, Dolphins, Steelers, Jaguars, Titans, Rams and Seahawks.

Now we ask: What would be the most compelling season opener? A trip to Jacksonville, a Tim Tebow homecoming? How 'bout a Week 1 return to Miami, where the Jets imploded last Jan. 1 to end the season? You can't go wrong with Jets-Patriots.

What say you?

UPDATE: Make sure you check out ESPNNewYork.com for a full analysis of the schedule, game-by-game predictions and a breakdown of the five key games.

Jets draft preview: Running back

April, 17, 2012
Apr 17
5:00
AM ET
This is part two in a nine-part, position-by-position analysis, breaking down needs and draft possibilities.

Position: Running back

Depth Chart: Shonn Greene, John Conner (FB), Joe McKnight, Bilal Powell, Josh Baker (FB/TE), John Griffin.

Not Under Contract: LaDainian Tomlinson (UFA)

Scouting Report: The Jets want to be an elite running team, but they don't have a running back that anybody fears. They need a runner that can threaten the edges with the ability to take it to the house. Greene (1,054 yards, 4.2 average) came on a little late in the year, but he's strictly a between-the-tackles runner who needs a hole to get to the second level. His longest run was only 31 yards.

Tomlinson isn't coming back, leaving two jobs open -- backup RB and third-down back. McKnight can fill the latter role, if he can improve his pass blocking, but he's too undisciplined to be an every-down runner. The big question is Powell. The Jets thought enough of him to pick him in the fourth round, but he didn't show anything in limited opportunities that made you think he can be special. New offensive coordinator Tony Sparano likes to use a two-back system -- see Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams in Miami -- and, right now, he's shy one horse.

The Last Time: You can't say they've ignored the running-back position. They've pick four in the last three drafts -- Powell (fourth round, 2011), McKnight (fourth, 2010), Conner (fifth, 2010) and Greene (third, 2009).

Potential Targets: The Jets' dream scenario is that Trent Richardson (Alabama) falls into their lap with the 16th pick. If that happens, Rex Ryan probably would chest-bump Mike Tannenbaum in the war room. Richardson is dynamic, the kind of talent that would add a new dimension to the offense, but he's unlikely to slip out of the top six. If he does, the Jets will think hard about trading up for him.

The more realistic option is taking a back in the later rounds, especially if Doug Martin (Boise State) still is on the board in the second (47th overall). He's undersized at 5-foot-9, 223 pounds, but he has quick acceleration and has that low-center-of-gravity thing going on. Lamar Miller (Miami) has created a buzz because of outstanding workouts, but "he's a run-of-the-mill back," one NFL scout said. "He's big and fast, but didn't do a hell of a lot." The Jets have expressed some interest in Robert Turbin (Utah State), projected in the fourth/fifth-round area. A late-round sleeper is Jonas Gray (Notre Dame).

Need Rating (on a scale of 1 to 10): 8.

Next: Wide receiver

Sanchez, Tebow and 'two separate teams'

April, 16, 2012
Apr 16
8:13
PM ET
There will be the Mark Sanchez offense, and there will be the Tim Tebow offense -- at least that was the perception given to players Monday at the start of the offseason program.

"It’s like we’re going to be two separate teams, but as far as I know, Mark is still going to be our guy," LG Matt Slauson said Monday night at a charity event in Manhattan.

Tebow, the No. 2 quarterback, will be used as the wildcat quarterback. The Jets have been saying that since he arrived last month in The Trade. But they have other plans, as well. He will be used as an H-Back, a fullback and as a running back, ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reported Monday morning.

And, oh yes, special teams coach Mike Westhoff is planning to use Tebow as the "personal protector" on the punt team.

Slauson said the plan, under new coordinator Tony Sparano, is to go back to the offense they ran in 2009 and 2010 -- Ground and Pound.

"You guys will be really surprised by what Mark’s going to do this year," he said. "The way we’re going to be running things plays right into Mark's strengths, running the ball. It’ll be very similar to what we did in Rex (Ryan's) first two years, very much a style like that -- heavy run, heavy play action and whipping out a deep ball every now and again. That's all the stuff Mark does really well."

Ryan stunned many at the recent league meetings when he told reporters that Tebow could be used up to 20 plays per game. Consider: The Jets have averaged 66 plays per game in Sanchez's three seasons as the starter.

Also consider this: In Sparano's three-plus seasons as the Dolphins' coach, they used the wildcat only 3.7 plays per game, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The Jets, with Brad Smith running the wildcat in 2010, used it only 2.7 plays per game.

SHOULDER ON: Slauson, who underwent major shoulder surgery after the season, said he's ahead of schedule on his rehab. He said there's a chance he might be able to participate in OTAs next month; initially, there was no chance of that.

"I have 100 percent range of motion," he said. "Strength isn’t even close yet, but it’s on the way and it’s really coming back quickly. In fact, our trainers have to pull on the reins every now and then, and it’s because I'm doing so well that I want to keep on going. But they're trying to be cautious. They keep saying, 'We want you for August, not for May.'"

Slauson was honored by Our Time, a non-profit organization that helps kids that stutter. Slauson stutters, but he never let it stop him from speaking pubicly. In fact, he was voted by reporters the most media-friendly Jet last season. Sanchez introduced Slauson Monday night at the event in downtown Manhattan. Sanchez wasn't available to the media.

Tebow's first day with the Jets

April, 16, 2012
Apr 16
4:34
PM ET
So what did Tim Tebow do on his first official day with his new team? Not much.

Because of rules in the new collective bargaining agreement, NFL players aren't permitted participate in any football-related activities in the off-season program for the first two weeks. Basically, it's all about strength and conditioning.

The only coaches allowed on the field are strength-and-conditioning coaches. No footballs are allowed, except quarterbacks are permitted to throw to receivers -- and they can't be covered by a defender. (Even the Jets' receivers should be able to get open under those circumstances.) No helmets are allowed.

So it was a limited day for Tebow and his teammates. It went something like this:

Team meeting. At 8 a.m.,Rex Ryan made brief remarks to the team, emphasizing a "new year, new beginning" theme, according to C Nick Mangold. When he was done, Ryan yielded the floor to team executive Jacqueline Davidson, who explained the new CBA rules, and strength coach Bill Hughan.

Offense/defense. After the team meeting, the players repaired to their separate meeting rooms. Each coordinator made brief remarks and handed out playbooks.

Workouts. When the meetings broke up, the players headed to the weight room and the adjacent fields for strength and conditioning. Their day was over by noon. Ryan wasn't permitted to stick around and observe; he went into draft meetings. The coach said he had no idea how Tebow interacted with his new teammates.

Mangold and WR Santonio Holmes, the only players made available to the media, said they don't expect any problems with Tebow fitting into the locker room. Mangold, a staunch Mark Sanchez supporter, said Tebow's enormous presence won't have any impact on Sanchez.

"If Mark has been wishy washy with his role and his ability, I could see (problems) creeping in," he said. "But Mark understands what he needs to do and that sets the clear line."

Mangold downplayed the competition angle, actually comparing Sanchez-Tebow to the center position.

"Kris (O'Dowd) is competing for my job," said Mangold, presumably with a straight face (this was on a conference call, so we can't be sure.) "Unfortunately, Kris doesn't have the following Tim does, but it's the same dynamic."

Uh, hello? O'Dowd was an undrafted free agent last year, and has no NFL experience; Mangold is a Pro Bowl center. If he thinks it's the same situation, he probably doesn't think much of Tebow's chances.

Holmes said he was surprised by the Tebow trade.

"He's going to do some great things for our team this year," Holmes said. "He's going to be a guy we can depend on when situations come about. When he gets on the field, he's going to prove he's a playmaker and willing to help the team win by any means."

The Jets plan to use Tebow in a wildcat-like package, which probably will mean fewer balls for Holmes. The mercurial receiver declined to speculate on how his role will be impacted by Tebow.

Maybin signs contract tender

April, 16, 2012
Apr 16
2:48
PM ET
Pass rusher Aaron Maybin, one of the few bright spots for the Jets last season, reported to the off-season program Monday and signed his one-year contract tender. Maybin tweeted the news Monday morning.

Maybin, a restricted free agent, signed the $1.26 million tender. There was little suspense. Because he was tendered at his original-round level -- the first round -- there was no interest in him on the free-agent market. Any team that signed him to an offer sheet would've been required to compensate the Jets with a first-round pick.

Maybin was the Bills' No. 1 pick in 2010, but he was released after two disappointing seasons. The Jets took a chance on him and he responded with a team-high six sacks. He was used exclusively as a pass-rushing specialist. He could have an expanded role this season.

UPDATE: The Jets reportedly signed S DeAngelo Smith. He spent time with the Browns, Bears and Lions, but hasn't played in the league since 2009.

UPDATE: The Jets confirmed the signing of Smith and announced the signing of former Raider and Seahawk DE Jay Richardson. Richardson was a fifth-round pick of the Raiders in 2007. He appeared in 48 games with the Raiders and seven games with the Seahawks. He was out of the league last season.

Rex waffles on Hard Knocks

April, 16, 2012
Apr 16
2:29
PM ET

Although the opportunity to star in the next Hard Knocks franchise has reportedly been offered to the Falcons, Jets coach Rex Ryan responded to questions about internal conversations regarding the HBO training camp documentary by saying it's been discussed informally.

"If we're asked to do it, I'm sure we'll have some candid conversations about it, Ryan said. "Right now, we have no updates."

The Jets boosted their Q rating by hosting the Hard Knocks cameras in Cortland during quarterback Mark Sanchez' second year in 2010. Last season, HBO halted production due to the lockout, so if the Jets were invited again, they'd essentially be doing consecutive shows.

Team owner Woody Johnson is positive about another opportunity, whicle general manager Mike Tannenbaum and Ryan may be more luckwarm. In 2010, the Jets were coming off the AFC Championship game, while the team didn't make the playoffs last year.

The Dallas Cowboys have been featured twice. Usually official announcements about what team is selected take place after the NFL draft.

Holmes passes the buck

April, 16, 2012
Apr 16
2:14
PM ET

Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes held informal workouts for a few offensive players -- including quarterback Mark Sanchez and tight end Dustin Keller -- in his home state of Florida, but there were a few players who were notably absent. Holmes was asked if players like backup QB Tim Tebow or WR Jeremy Kerley were invited to take part.

"I can personally say I didn't but most of everything was left up to Mark and he did most of the reaching out to the guys and the guys that showed up were the guys that showed up."

Tebow, who was also in Florida last week, told reporters at a charity event that he didn't get the invite.

The Jets offense is fresh off a chemistry issue that ended when Holmes was essentially benched for the last two minutes of a winnable game against Miami to end the season. Holmes called last season a "blur" and refused to address anything that happened last season, including the relationship between him and Sanchez.

Although Ryan, Holmes and Nick Mangold all said that the Jets have turned the page on 2012, the chemistry puzzle is still mostly the same. Asked if he reached out to any of his teammates -- some of whom privately called him a selfish player and bad teammate -- Holmes said no.

"I didn't reach out to anybody this offseason," Holmes said.


Jets draft preview: Quarterback

April, 16, 2012
Apr 16
5:00
AM ET
This is the start of a nine-part, position-by-position analysis, breaking down needs and draft possibilities.

Position: Quarterback

Depth chart: Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow, Greg McElroy

Not under contract: Mark Brunell (UFA), Kevin O'Connell (UFA)

Scouting report: Things got a lot more interesting when the Jets traded for Tebow -- only two weeks after professing their love for Sanchez and giving him a contract extension. This is a quarterback controversy waiting to happen, but Sanchez has the ability to control it. If he plays well, there will be no issues. For Sanchez, it comes down to one thing: Ball security. He committed a career-high 26 turnovers last season, and there's no way new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, who believes in a ball-control offense, will tolerate anything close to that number. If Sanchez can reduce the turnovers and prevent his head from exploding amid Tebow-mania, he can have a bounce-back year.

Tebow can be a momentum changer in the wildcat, but he's not going win games with his arm -- at least not in a conventional, drop-back system. He might be able to hit an occasional quick strike, assuming defenses react to the wildcat the way the Jets are anticipating -- eight in the box, with straight man-to-man coverage. Without a doubt, the most accurate passer is McElroy, but he lacks a big arm and game experience.

The Last Time: You don't have to go back very far for the last time they drafted a quarterback; it was last year, when they chose McElroy in the seventh round. Prior to that, it was Sanchez (first round, 2009).

Potential Targets: GM Mike Tannenbaum subscribes to the Ron Wolf philosophy on quarterbacks -- don't be afraid to draft one every year for developmental purposes. Not a bad thought, but this hasn't been an ordinary year, with the arrival of Tebow. The Jets have three quarterbacks under 26, so it would be a waste to draft another. They haven't shown much interest at all in quarterbacks. If they did, late-round possibilities include Case Keenum (Houston) and Austin Davis (Southern Miss). The Jets will add a fourth arm for camp, perhaps O'Connell, who has some familiarity with Sparano's system.

Need Rating (on a scale of 1 to 10): 1.

Next: Running backs

Boos and cheers for Tebow, Wade in Bronx

April, 15, 2012
Apr 15
9:23
PM ET
The stars came out to Yankees Stadium.

Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow, Knicks rookie guard Iman Shumpert and Heat guard Dwyane Wade watched the Yankees battle the Angels.

William Perlman/US PresswireDwyane Wade and Tim Tebow: That's a lot of star power in the crowd.


Shumpert was the first player shown on the big screen in center, receiving a nice round of applause. Wade was shown shortly after and was booed by fans at first, but he quickly showed a Yankees hat and received applause. Wade's Heat beat Shumpert's Knicks, 93-85, at Madison Square Garden earlier in the day.

When Tebow was shown on the big board, fans reacted with a loud mixture of boos and cheers -- more cheers than boos, but the boos were definitely audible. Tebow gave a sheepish wave.

Wade, by the way, switched seats, placing him next to Tebow instead of one row behind.

The Yankees did not meet with Tebow and did not realize that the mixed reaction from the crowd was for the quarterback.

"I didn't get a chance to see him. I would have loved to have the chance to talk to him," manager Joe Girardi said. "I'm sure he'll be back at some point."

He added: "He's one big quarterback. I see him in the stands, he doesn't look like a quarterback."

Nick Swisher has met Tebow before and after being asked several questions about the quarterback, joked that he thought he'd be talking more about baseball than Tebow.

"There are a lot of fancy people that comes to these games, man," Swisher said when asked about noticing the reaction for Tebow. "Welcome to New York, Tim."
BACK TO TOP
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    about 7 hours ago     
  • janesports Jane McManus
    Here in Stony Brook, Florida frosh Shannon Gilroy of Northport is putting together heck of a homecoming. 4G already, up 10-4 over Syracuse.
    about 7 hours ago     
  • janesports Jane McManus
    Can we do it again tonight? RT @JeanGreasy Felt like a big family at that venue tonight. That's pretty good. pretty...pretty...pretty good.
    about 7 hours ago     
  • janesports Jane McManus
    Former Jet Trevor Pryce with solid NYT piece on tennis. If writing doesn't work out for me, perhaps I'll be an NFL DE. http://t.co/6wR7yf2C
    about 8 hours ago     
  • janesports Jane McManus
    Women's NCAA lacrosse semis about to startin Stony Brook. Can you believe Fla is top seed when 3 years ago it started program from scratch?
    about 9 hours ago     
  • RichCimini Rich Cimini
    Since Jets don't want 'Hard Knocks' ...: ... the folks at NFL Live would love to take their place. http://t.co/yncXxuDk #nyj
    about 9 hours ago     
  • janesports Jane McManus
    Just heard Nas song about his daughter growing up. So nice to hear a different slice of femininity discussed on commercial radio.
    about 12 hours ago     
  • janesports Jane McManus
    Gimme a C-O-R-P-O-R-A-T-E and a L-A-W! RT @adbrandt Enduring winner in NFL-NFLPA relationship: billable hours.
    about 14 hours ago     
  • janesports Jane McManus
    #Jets ST coordinator Mike Westhoff recovering from surgery to repair broken rod in leg. Should be back by camp. http://t.co/MAGLuibJ #NFL
    about 17 hours ago     
  • janesports Jane McManus
    Last night at Drom, @JeanGreasy played some new and some old stuff, including this one: http://t.co/twYsgVqm Thx for the intro, Twitter!
    about 17 hours ago     
  • janesports Jane McManus
    Just saw @JeanGreasy kill it at Drom in NYC. Even better live than on Twitter. She is real after all.
    1 day ago     
  • RichCimini Rich Cimini
    Quick take on QBs, Hill's vertical speed, etc.: Observations on OTA No. 3 (the first session open to the me... http://t.co/f6D5vhda #nyj
    1 day ago     
  • RichCimini Rich Cimini
    'Te-bow! Te-bow! Te-bow!': When Tim Tebow walked into the locker room Thursday, with a crowd of reporters a... http://t.co/wejdJAcm #nyj
    1 day ago     
  • RichCimini Rich Cimini
    Tebow backs 'Tebowing' HS student: Tim Tebow said he was vaguely familiar with the story of Chuck Shriner, ... http://t.co/cYpjmtk8 #nyj
    1 day ago     
  • RichCimini Rich Cimini
    Missing: Holmes, Cromartie and Landry: WR Santonio Holmes, CB Antonio Cromartie and S LaRon Landry didn't p... http://t.co/OBOhoNeI #nyj
    1 day ago     
  • RichCimini Rich Cimini
    #Jets STC Mike Westhoff, one tough dude, said he needed surgery because his metal femur broke in half. http://t.co/A8aXppJT
    1 day ago     
  • janesports Jane McManus
    Lawrence Taylor's reaction when he learned Charlie Sheen may have had the winning bid on his Super Bowl ring? http://t.co/QRGwtpv1 #NFL
    1 day ago     

TEAM LEADERS

PASSING
Mark Sanchez
ATT COMP YDS TD
543 308 3474 26
RUSHINGCARYDSAVGTD
S. Greene 253 1054 4.2 6
L. Tomlinson 75 280 3.7 1
RECEIVINGRECYDSAVGTD
D. Keller 65 815 12.5 5
S. Holmes 51 654 12.8 8

NEW YORK CALENDAR

  •    There are no games scheduled for today.
  •    There are no games scheduled for today.
  •    There are no games scheduled for today.
  •    There are no games scheduled for today.
  •    There are no games scheduled for today.