New York Jets players criticise move for QB Tim Tebow but don't reveal names - NFL News
The New York Jets locker room was completely out of control in the latter part of the 2011-12 season as players anonymously recorded statements for the media panning quarterback Mark Sanchez and his leadership qualities.
With Tim Tebow arriving at the Jets after the franchise successfully traded with the Denver Broncos, the anonymous players are back in the media and this time they are shaking their heads on Tebow’ arrival.
According to the New York Post, Jets players on condition of anonymity said that Tebow’s arrival and subsequent media attention is unheard of and they cannot get around the fact that a quarterback brought in as backup has so much spotlight.
The Post in an article on Sunday said.
"All of the attention on Tebow has some Jets shaking their heads. Several current Jets ... asked not to be quoted but expressed disbelief at the team bringing in Tebow. ... The idea of a backup quarterback having a press conference is something they can’t
wrap their heads around, and they know it’s just the beginning."
So much for locker room unity, this statement has all the hall marks of the second half of the 2011-12 season when statements from anonymous players and lack of team work led the Jets season to implode as they missed out on the playoffs for the first time
under head coach Rex Ryan.
Tebow though will be delivering a press conference on Monday as he is finally introduced as a Jet and both owner Woody Johnson and Rex Ryan have come out in full praise of the young quarterback.
Officially signed as backup to starter Mark Sanchez, Tebow though will provide some tough competition to Sanchez as all his mistakes will now be under the full glare of both media and Tebow’s huge fan following.
Most Jets fans though and some players have criticised Tebow’s signing as a PR move with the most vociferous statements coming from the ex-Jets lineman Damien Woody.
Woody talking to the newspaper criticised the move.
“The organization is saying he’s the backup quarterback. Well, then why do you feel like you have to have a press conference? Why not just do a conference call and call it a day?”
“It’s a marketing ploy.”
Hopefully Tebow’s cheerful personality may soothe the tensions in the Jets locker room and get them back into the playoffs in the new 2012-13 season.
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