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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.

Kenrick Ellis may have to answer to the NFL as well.

The second-year defensive tackle, who agreed to a reduced charge of misdemeanor assault and battery from an incident that occurred while he was a student at Hampton (Va.) University, is subject to the league's personal-conduct policy.

The timing of the incident is a factor to be considered, but it is subject to review, a league spokesman said Saturday in an e-mail to ESPNNewYork.com. If a player is found to be in violation of the personal-conduct policy, he could be slapped with a fine and/or a suspension.

Ellis was arrested in April 2010 and later charged with a malicious wounding, a felony in Virginia. The Jets were aware of the charge when they selected him in the third round of the 2011 draft. On Thursday, Ellis accepted a plea-bargain arrangement. If he had been convicted of a felony, he could've been deported because he's not a U.S. citizen.

Ellis is scheduled to appear in court Monday, when the judge likely will approve the plea deal and, possibly, hand down a sentence. The plea agreement includes six months of jail time, S. Howard Woodson, the alleged victim's attorney, told ESPNNewYork.com. Under Virginia law, Ellis would have to serve 90 days, with time served being applied.

Ellis also faces a likely civil suit.

It didn't take long for the Jets to hire a replacement for Joey Clinkscales, the former vice president of college scouting. They stayed in-house, naming Midwest scout Jeff Bauer as the new director of college scouting, the team announced Friday.

Bauer spent the last 11 seasons with the Jets, scouting the Midwest. That's his only NFL experience. Prior to that, he was a high-school coach. Some in the organization thought Michael Davis, Clinkscales' assistant, would get the job. Basically, the DCS coordinates the scouts and the entire draft.

Clinkscales, whose contract was due to expire, left after the draft to become the Raiders' personnel director.

The Jets also named Kevin Kelly as an area scout. Previously, he worked in the same capacity with the Colts and Browns.

The Yeremiah Bell signing (one year, $1.4 million) creates more questions than answers. For instance:

1. What does this mean for Jim Leonhard? Obviously, it doesn't bode well for his chances of returning. The Jets have three veteran safeties (Eric Smith, LaRon Landry and Bell) and three kids (Tracy Wilson, Josh Bush and Antonio Allen), so let's be real here. Barring injury, it looks like the popular Leonhard, a UFA recovering from knee surgery, has been squeezed out. And that's too bad, because we all know what he has meant to the defense.

2. Does the Bell signing mean the Jets are concerned about Landry's health? Yes. Landry, whom the Jets signed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract in March, still is rehabbing an Achilles tendon injury from last season (no surgery). He hasn't been participating on the field during voluntary workouts, although that isn't a surprise. When the Jets signed him, GM Mike Tannenbaum admitted it would be "a challenge" to get Landry ready for the regular-season opener. They expect it to happen, but they have their fingers crossed. Bell gives them a veteran insurance policy, a pro's pro who knows the division. That they gave the ex-Dolphin almost twice the veterans' minimum, guaranteeing $1.3 million, indicates the sense of urgency.

3. Does Bell address the coverage issues at safety? No way. Bell, 34, wasn't known for his pass coverage when he was young, and he's certainly not going to excel now that he's at the end of his career. An opposing personnel executive described Bell this way: "They, in essence, have the same guy (in Landry). They're two strong safeties. (Bell) is a good run supporter, but somewhat of a liability on the back end. He'll have trouble against (Rob) Gronkowski and (Aaron) Hernandez . ,.. I don't see where the Jets have upgraded in coverage at safety. The run support is good, but they added two strong safeties and Eric Smith hasn't changed."

UPDATE: Following up on the New York Post's story on the Bell signing, I can confirm that the Jets envision Bell and Landry as their starting safeties, with Smith -- a 2011 starter -- coming off the bench. This is interesting. Basically, the Jets intend to play with two strong safeties. It will help the run defense, but it will leave them vulnerable in pass coverage.

For a profile of new defensive line coach Karl Dunbar and his courageous stance against vitiligo, a rare skin disease, check out my story here. In my interview with Dunbar, we also talked football.

Prior to the Jets, Dunbar spent six seasons as the Vikings' DL coach. In that span, the Vikings always had a terrific line, especially from 2008 to 2010. That's when they had the quarter of DE Jared Allen, DE Ray Edwards, DT Kevin Williams and DT Pat Williams. It was an awesome blend of speed and power, unleashed in a four-man front.

The Jets have a long way to go before they're in that category. Plus, it's apples and oranges somewhat because the Jets employ a three-man line. Nevertheless, I asked Dunbar to describe any similarities.

"Here, we rely on our linebackers, Calvin (Pace) and (Aaron) Maybin and (Ricky) Sapp to be those outside rushers," Dunbar said. "What we've done here, to be comparable to Minnesota, we're very athletic inside with Muhammad (Wilkerson) and (Quinton) Coples and (Kenrick) Ellis. Sione (Pouha) reminds me a little bit of Pat Williams, that big, round, stocky body that can plug up that A gap and take on blockers."

The addition of Coples will give them more flexibility, which means you could see a few more 4-3 looks than last season. But the Jets aren't going to dump the 3-4 and become a 4-3 team. You also might see more "46" fronts -- aka the "Bear" front. That's a 4-3 alignment, with a safety coming down as a linebacker -- an eight-man front. The Jets used it a little last season when facing run-heavy teams.

Dunbar is familiar with the 46 defense, having played for Buddy Ryan on the Cardinals in 1995. Ryan is the father of the 46 defense (see the '85 Bears). Rex Ryan was the D-line coach on that Arizona team, so there's the connection. I wouldn't expect a lot of the 46 look. With so many teams using spread offenses, it would be hard to match up with a 46.

But Dunbar definitely has that Ryan gene when it comes to defense.

"Some of the terminology has changed over the years, but we have the same principles," he said. "We’re going to attack and get after you."

Mark Sanchez has received a lot of criticism this offseason, the latest coming from an unlikely source -- the punter.

Wait, make that the ex-punter.

New York Giant Steve Weatherford, whose 15 minutes of fame have lasted five months, questioned Sanchez's maturity this week during an NFL.com podcast.

"I like Mark -- I think he's a very talented quarterback -- but from my standpoint, I haven't seen a lot of maturation," said Weatherford, making the media rounds this week because the Giants received their Super Bowl rings. "When you're a quarterback and you come in, and you're expected to be the face of the franchise, and you're expected to lead the team.

"That's a lot to take on as a rookie. But as the years go on, I think you're expected to mature, skill-wise, and also mature as a leader, and to be honest with you, as much as I like the guy, I just haven't seen that."

Weatherford has been removed from the Jets for a year. He was Sanchez's teammate in 2009 and 2010, when they reached back-to-back AFC Championship Games, but the Jets decided not to re-sign Weatherford last offseason. He landed with the Giants and, lo and behold, he was a pivotal player in their championship run, landing a new contract.

Weatherford also was critical of Jets special teams coach Mike Westhoff at various points during the season.

In what may be a team record for earliest first-round signing, the Jets finalized a deal with DE Quinton Coples, the team confirmed Thursday evening.

Because of the rookie wage scale in the new CBA, first-round deals -- all rookie deals, for that matter -- are getting done a lot faster than before.

Coples, projected as a first-year starter, signed a four-year contract, fully guaranteed, according to a league source. It's believed to be just under $9 million, with a standard team option for a fifth year.

The Jets have signed six of their eight picks, leaving third-round LB Demario Davis and seventh-round WR Jordan White as the final two. Davis' deal isn't close to getting done. Under the CBA, third-round contracts are more complex.

The Jets signed former South Carolina safety Antonio Allen to a four-year contract, a league source said Thursday. The deal is for about $2.1 million, including a $45,896 signing bonus.

After a productive college career, Allen surprisingly slipped to the seventh round. He recorded a team-high 88 tackles last season, including 9.5 for a loss and one sack. He's expected to compete for a backup safety position.

The Jets still have three unsigned picks in their eight-man draft class -- DE Quinton Coples, LB Demario Davis and WR Jordan White. All are believed to be close to deals.

Tim Tebow is threatening to sue a T-shirt manufacturer because his lawyers say the company is illegally using his name to sell merchandise, according to a cease and desist letter obtained by TMZ.com.

The company, CubbyTees.com, made a T-shirt that says "My Jesus" in a design that uses the Jets' team logo. Tebow isn't mentioned on the shirt, and there's no likeness of him, but he is mentioned on the company's website. It says, "This fun design is not officially endorsed by New York's backup quarterback or the Son of God, but plays off the themes of Tebow's faith and his new team." (On Thursday, the website was down.)

Tebow's lawyers, in the letter sent to CubbyTees, claim "the Merchandise makes it appear as if Mr. Tebow actually endorses Cubby Tees and its products." The legal team already successfully petitioned eBay to stop selling the T-shirt, according to TMZ.

The company told TMZ it will continue to sell the T-shirts, claiming the "My Jesus" design on the Jets' logo "shares nothing with Mr. Tebow except for promotion of a common Lord and Savior."

New OL coach Dave DeGuglielmo defended beleaguered RT Wayne Hunter on Wednesday. Actually, he played defense better than the '85 Bears. DeGuglielmo not only backed Hunter as the starting right tackle, but he staked his reputation on him.

"This guy is the starting right tackle," DeGugliemo said in his first session with the media. "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. And he's going to play well."

DeGuglielmo was just getting started on the Hunter issue.

• On Hunter's physique: "They (should) strap shields to this guy and put him in The Coliseum."

• On Hunter's skill set: "I see many, many more great things, and I see the upside, I see the movement skills, the explosiveness. Those are the things I see on film. How it all worked out? I don't know, but I know this much: The guy I have in that room right now, the guy that communicates with me, is nothing like the guy people explained that I would have. He's not introverted, he's not any of the things people say he is. He has a great personality, great energy, great desire and great skills. It looks like the makings of something great."

• On why Hunter struggled so much last season: "You'd have to ask (former OL coach) Bill Callahan. I think he's in the directory in Dallas."

• On why he's so effusive while management has issued lukewarm endorsements of Hunter: "I speak my piece to people in power. I don’t make those decisions, but I'm telling you, this guy has skills. If you find one out there better than that playing that position, bring him to me."

DeGuglielmo, who has Rex Ryan-like candor, also tweaked his predecessor, the well-respected Callahan.

"I'm not worried about the ghost of Bill Callahan," he said. "The difference between me and Bill: I have a Super Bowl ring, and he doesn't."

DeGuglielmo won a ring as the Giants' assistant OL line coach in 2007. Callahan didn't miss by much, winning an AFC title as the Raiders' head coach in 2002.

DeGuglielmo is a piece of work. His best line of the day came when he was asked to compare the current line to the one that ranked among the NFL's elite only two years ago.

"I’m not going to compare them to what they did two years ago," he said. "Two years ago, I was 230 pounds. Now, I’m 290. So, you could say, ‘Hey, Guges, used to look good in that suit.’ But right now I can’t put one leg into it. It doesn’t matter what I was like two years ago ... I fluctuate 60 here, 60 there. It’s like peeing in a pool. Nobody knows the difference."

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- To improve his ability as a power runner, backup RB Joe McKnight added some weight in the offseason. In fact, he put on 15 pounds, bringing him to 216. How'd he do it?

"A lot of McDonald's," he said Wednesday.

He wasn't kidding.

McKnight wasn't on a McDonald's-only diet, but he admitted he ate a lot of fast-food burgers on his way to his current weight. The way he figures it, he ate, worked out and "it changed to muscle."

He likes his current condition, believing he's more powerful in and out of his cuts. McKnight is known for his speed, but he doesn't think he has slowed down at all. The goal, of course, is to convince the coaching staff he can be more than a terrific kickoff returner. He'd like to become the No. 2 back, behind Shonn Greene.

McKnight figures he'll naturally drop weight in training camp, so he expects to play this season between 205 and 210 pounds -- and that would be his personal high. If he does well, maybe he can snag a McDonald's endorsement.

"I ate healthy, but the majority of the time, I was eating bad," he said, smiling. "I wasn't eating all the right stuff, like Tim Tebow (does)."

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Second-year NT Kenrick Ellis, scheduled for trial next Tuesday in Hampton, Va., on a felony charge of malicious wounding, declined Wednesday to say whether the trial will cause him to miss any voluntary workouts.

In fact, Ellis refused to answer any questions about the trial or his case, repeatedly saying "it's a pending legal matter." After a few questions, a Jets PR official stepped in, asking that questions be limited to football only.

Ellis was arrested in April 2010 for an alleged incident that occurred while he was a student at Hampton. The trial was originally scheduled for last July, but was postponed twice. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. Because he's a non-U.S. citizen, born in Jamaica, Ellis is deportable if convicted of a felony, according to immigration law.

B.T. BACK: OLB Bryan Thomas, who tore his Achilles' tendon last October, said he's close to running full speed. His goal is to be 100 percent by the starting of training camp, which gives him two months. Thomas, who turns 33 on June 7, was an unrestricted free agent, but he re-signed for one year.

The Jets didn't add any experienced outside linebackers, so they're counting on him to return. After Calvin Pace and Thomas, they have Aaron Maybin, Garrett McIntyre and Ricky Sapp.

MOUTH THAT BORED: LB Bart Scott refused to talk with reporters, saying: "This is voluntary (workouts). I don't speak voluntary."

HAIRY PREDICAMENT: C Nick Mangold received some razzing from teammates for what he did Tuesday night. He got his chest waxed on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon." Hmm, wonder if Vince Wilfork will bring that up next time they butt heads in the trenches.

Mangold said he didn't expect it. He said the producer asked him a couple of hours before the show.

"They said, 'Hey, want to do a little skit?'" Mangold said. "Like an idiot, I said yes."

To check out the video, click here.

The Tony Sparano/new-sheriff-in-town story already is getting a lot of play, but TE Dustin Keller made some interesting remarks Tuesday night at the annual United Way Gridiron Gala at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan.

Keller made no mention of former O.C. Brian Schottenheimer, but he observed that "guys are playing more attention to details now, more than ever." And to think, training camp hasn't even begun. The Jets are in the infancy stage of the season.

If a player makes a mental mistake, Sparano "is coming down on you," Keller said. "That’s how it’s going to be all season. I think he definitely runs a tighter ship than I've seen from anyone before. He’s not going to let guys slip up. That’s when problems arise. It’s going to continue. You can tell, it's not a one-day thing or an OTA thing. This thing is going to keep on going and going. I think we need it."

Keller, smiling, added, "Most guys, when they’re yelling, they lose their voice eventually. But he can maintain it for a long time."

The most celebrated player in Jets history is perhaps the most celebrated critic of the team. Joe Namath doesn't pull any punches, not since he started his radio spot two years on ESPN New York 98.7 -- and it has frayed his relationship with the Jets, especially owner Woody Johnson.

Namath admitted as much Tuesday night at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan, where he joined other former and current Jets and Giants at the United Way Gridiron Gala.

"It’s rough, you know," the legendary QB said of his relationship with the Jets. "None of us like to be critiqued, criticized in a negative way. It gets bent sometimes. I don’t like the feeling, the vibes I get back whenever I cross Woody's path. Rex (Ryan) and I have been getting along well when we bump into each other, but I know there’s some underlying sensitivity there the Jets have."

BRANDON AMONG HONOREES: Jets RG Brandon Moore was honored at the 19th annual gala. Moore and Giants RG Chris Snee received the Hometown Hero award to recognize their service to the community. Giants Hall-of-Fame LB Harry Carson was honored for his lifetime achievement.

ON THE BLOCK: TE Dustin Keller, who also attended the event, said Tony Sparano's system includes a larger variety of blocking calls than the previous system. That, he believes, will solve some pass-protection issues ... OT Vladimir Ducasse said he's been working exclusively at right tackle in early drills. Ducasse, a two-year disappointment, acknowledged "this is a big year for me." He didn't make any bold declarations about overtaking incumbent Wayne Hunter, saying only that his "ultimate goal" is to start.

Mark Sanchez or Tim Tebow? In Joe Namath’s opinion, it’s a no-brainer. The legendary New York Jets quarterback said Sanchez is the superior QB.

"There’s no doubt about it, at this point certainly," Namath said Tuesday at the United Way Gridiron Gala in Manhattan. "And Mark’s going to get better. He’s only going into his fourth year. Golly, I remember a team that won a championship with a quarterback in his fourth year. I hope that happens again."

He was referring to himself, although younger New York fans might think of Eli Manning.

The Jets set themselves up for a potential quarterback controversy as soon as they acquired Tebow from the Denver Broncos. At the time of the trade, in late March, Namath ripped his former team, calling it a "publicity stunt."

Namath changed his position, saying he can see the positives Tebow will bring to the team. He said Tony Sparano’s background in the Wildcat is the key to making it a successful package within the structure of the Jets’ offense. (Interesting side note: Namath also criticized the Jets when they hired Sparano.)

“I think it can work," said Namath, adding, “They’ve got some things up their sleeves to put on some other guys. We’ll see. It’s interesting, isn’t it?"

Asked how he’d feel if he were in Sanchez’s position, Namath said without hesitation, “I’d be tickled to death. Are you kidding? Mark knows he’s the better quarterback and bring on the competition."

Namath has always been a Sanchez supporter, but he wondered how the Jets’ incumbent will handle the pressure and intense scrutiny that will inevitably occur.

"That’s going to be sensitive," Namath admitted. "That’s going to be tough. We’ll wait and see what’s happening, of course. When things aren’t going well, we’re a little bit touchy. It’s easy to get upset with some things. Some things can get on your nerves. As a quarterback, I’d like to take every snap in practice I could get. It remains to be seen how they share the snaps in practice come regular-season time."

That is one of many compelling questions surrounding the Sanchez-Tebow dynamic. Tebow’s playing time and his specific role -- other than being listed as the No. 2 quarterback -- haven’t been defined by the team.

Namath, an outspoken critic of his former team in recent years, tried to put a positive spin on the current quarterback situation, yet he made one remark that will raise some eyebrows.

"Only four teams have used (the Wildcat) in professional football, and they were all because they didn’t have a quarterback," he said.

Hardly a ringing endorsement of Sanchez or Tebow, but Namath explained he likes the Wildcat for the Jets because of Sparano’s knowledge and the problems it will cause for opponents to prepare for.

"At any rate, Tebow is a positive," Namath said. "Any way you add him to the organization, he’s a positive."