Ryan: No question Sanchez is Jets starter,
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets began their offseason training program Monday by answering questions about their potential quarterback controversy.
One day after newly acquired Tim Tebow was booed at Yankee Stadium, Jets coach Rex Ryan said the former Denver Broncos quarterback can serve as a potent complement to incumbent Mark Sanchez. “Of course, Mark is our starter, no question about it,” Ryan said. “But we know Tim can help us, too. He’s an outstanding football player.”
Ryan added: “Anytime you’re out on the field it’s competitive and you do need to perform, but Mark is our quarterback.”
Sanchez, who helped New York reach the AFC Championship Game in each of his first two seasons before an uneven 2011, will start on the same footing as Tebow in one respect. New offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, whose team initially used the Wildcat attack to great advantage when he was the Miami Dolphins head coach, distributed playbooks for the first time Monday.
The Jets think Tebow, acquired March 21 after the Broncos signed free agent Peyton Manning, can be extremely effective in that formation.
Although the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner completed 46.5% of his passes last season after taking over as Denver’s quarterback following a 1-4 start, he rushed for 660 yards with six touchdowns.
“Having a guy like Tim, I don’t know how many snaps we’re going to use him, but (Jets opponents) are going to have to prepare for it,” Ryan said.
Although cornerback Antonio Cromartie questioned the acquisition while it was being discussed, wide receiver Santonio Holmes and center Nick Mangold embraced it when they were made available by the team via conference call.
“When he’s on the field, I think he’s going to prove he’s a playmaker and he’s going to help the team by any means,” Holmes said.
Mangold pointed to Tebow’s 7-4 record in 2011 with Denver, which won the AFC West and won a playoff game for the first time since 2005.
“He is a good football player. Obviously, he’s won games,” Mangold said. “He beat us, so you have to give credit where credit is due. I am excited to see what he brings to the offense.”
Ryan said after last season that he’d no longer designate captains. He reiterated that. “You’ve got 53 guys, and you’re going to rely on every one of those guys at some point,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s fair to single out one, two or three guys.”