Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
New Jets quarterback Tim Tebow said Monday he has a “great relationship” with Mark Sanchez and is looking forward to playing with him as he tried to head off any notion that his arrival is going to create controversy.
“I’m so excited about being a Jet,” Tebow said at a crowded news conference that was more befitting of a superstar quarterback than a backup.
The immensely popular 24-year-old was acquired by the Jets from Denver last week in exchange for draft picks, but the team has maintained Sanchez will still be the starter.
The Jets tried to play down Tebow’s arrival as much as possible, calling the introduction a “player availability,” with neither general manager Mike Tannenbaum or head coach Rex Ryan present.
Dressed in a suit and tie, Tebow was careful from the start to avoid feeding a potential controversy over the starting quarterback job.
“The exciting thing is me and Mark have a great relationship,” Tebow said. “We have been friends and text back and forth and have talked already. We are going to have a great working relationship and I think we will have a lot of fun together.”
The former Florida Gators star said Sanchez seemed “excited” when the two talked last week.
“I have a lot of respect for him as a football player and person. He has always handled himself with class and integrity. … I think Mark is very secure as a football player and as a person and how he is. I don’t think he will let outsiders affect how he plays.”
In his second year in the league, Tebow led the Broncos on an improbable run to the AFC West title and a playoff victory over the Steelers.
But with questions lingering about Tebow’s throwing ability, the Broncos went aggressively after Peyton Manning, signing the four-time MVP to a five-year, $96 million contract last week.
“There is no ill will toward the Broncos or Peyton Manning. I wish them nothing but the best.”
Tebow said the Broncos acted “graciously” during the trade talks, keeping him updated on negotiations with the Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Despite being a native of Jacksonville, he said he preferred to go to the Jets to play for Ryan and offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, who ran the Wildcat offense as head coach of the Dolphins.
Ryan has said he plans to use Tebow in a limited role out of the Wildcat formation. Tebow said he still sees himself as a typical NFL quarterback, but is a “football player first.”
“However I can make a difference … I am open to it,” he said.
Tebow, a devout Christian, already had legions of followers before he ever took an NFL snap, following a wildly successful career at Florida where he won the Heisman Trophy and two national championships.
