Tebow Invades New York

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-Digger's Daily-

Never before has so much attention focused on a back up quarterback in New York. The New York Jets officially presented former Denver Broncos QB Tim Tebow to Big Apple reporters for a press conference this afternoon.

Much has been made about the Jets trading for Tebow. Mark Sanchez is New York's starter, period. New York sports sections have not been fans of the Jets newest acquisition. Get ready folks. Everything changes on a dime with fickle New York reporters. Over the years, New York papers have turned on long time sports legends from Roger Maris to Wayne Gretzky. Get ready Sanchez... reporters will quickly create rough times if the Jets stumble next September.

Many have publicly questioned why the Jets bothered bringing Tebow to an already disfunctional team. New York's 2011 season was a bitter disappointment to players and fans. Much was written regarding lack of team leadership and clubhouse turmoil. What are New Yorkers to think of Tebow's sudden arrival?

There's plenty of pro's and con's. Let's break it down.

Pro's. 1) Tebow is a class act. His dedication to the game - and life - is well documented. 2) Jets will score a grand slam in revenue generated merchandising of Tebow. 3) Tebow is a proven end of game miracle worker. 4) Defenses will have to adjust to Tebow's cat-like reflexes, scrambling ability and strength. 5) Jets can design specific Tebow plays from roll-outs to Wildcat offense. 6) He can be utilized in various formations - there's been hints of getting Tebow involved in other positions. 7) Perhaps other players can draw off Tebow's faith. 8) Tebow's presence should quickly mature Sanchez into a believer. 9) Sanchez will hopefully work much harder to execute game plans. 10) Sanchez knows Tebow is waiting in the wings for an opportunity to play forcing the Jets starter to get on the same page with coaches and receivers (missing in all of 2011). 11) Coaches hoping Tebow is a positive leader in the lockerroom. 12) Trading for a proven winner is anything but negative. Jets should feel secure in the knowledge their new #2 can step in at anytime for their current #1.

Con's 1) Jets players already criticizing their newest teammate. 2) Jets would be foolish to take too many snaps away from Sanchez - unless Sanchez doesn't improve from last season's mistakes. 3) Coaches will repeat grave mistakes allowing reporters to create circus like atmosphere. 4) Cost - Tebow is a high priced backup and cost them draft picks. It's win now or pay a heavy price later. 5) Sanchez knock is he's not a team leader as proven again in '11. He'll either step up or fold under Tebow pressure. 6) All eyes are on Tebow. It's too much too soon. Ryan has to get back on message (or find one). 7) For two consecutive years the Jets were in circus-like mode making wild unfulfilled Super Bowl predictions - if it happens again in 2012 then this current squad is doomed.

Jets football needs to quickly re-focus. Tebow's press conference is over. He's been introduced. Now it's time for coaches to grab the bull by the horns and concentrate on 2012 football. Ryan had better have a sit down with Sanchez - quickly. If Sanchez isn't ready to lead, truly lead, then he needs to fess up to Ryan. Sanchez hasn't shown late game leadership ability. Hasn't shown lockerroom leadership ability. Hasn't earned the respect from wide receivers or offensive linemen. Too much focus has been on Tebow. Truth be told, if Sanchez was all of the above then Tebow would be playing elsewhere.

Crash Landing - Jets Locker Room Turmoil Continues

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-Digger's Daily-

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan promised a Super Bowl championship would return to the Big Apple. Little did he know a late season Jets loss opened the door for another New York team to make a run at Super Bowl history. The Jets were trounced 29-14 by Eli Manning & company ending any shot at Ryan's team advancing to post-season play while simultaneously sparking the Giants hot streak which has taken them into next weekend's game against New England.

By season's end, the Giants were celebrating winning the NFC East and the Jets immediately starting finger pointing at each other after a dismal 2011 performance. The focus of their post-season tirades have been on many levels all centering around a lack of camaraderie with players. Locker room disruptions, lack of leadership, failure of coaching staff to address inner circle problems and too many captains are just a few examples of what's spilled into local papers in recent weeks. Guess what? Maybe there's a bit of camaraderie surfacing? Most players finally agree on something - the 2011 New York Jets problems were based on being their own worst enemy.

Great teams overcome difficulties from injuries to infighting. It begins with leadership. The buck stops here line falls at the feet of Coach Ryan. Heading into 2011 the Jets assembled a team of bad attitude players. Santonio Holmes, Plaxico Burress and a few defenders were thrust into a situation of big heads, big ego's and terrible work ethic. Game day sideline shouting matches between players vs coaches and players vs players eventually took its' toll with on field performances. New York was 8-5 before being embarrassed in their final three contests.

I remember reading New York sports pages warning of locker room misfits and if Ryan would be able to tame fragile ego's. Obviously, he couldn't. Ryan's claims of not knowing problems were brewing carries a stench of non-involvement or turning the other cheek mentality. This is your ship Rex. You decide what is and isn't acceptable. Players don't have to like each other to succeed. Not at all. One thing must prevail - the mission - and how 50 players working as a single unit helps everyone. Jets players with wide ranging playoff experiences of success and near misses should clearly have known better. What they displayed, and continue to gripe about, was an utter disgrace to New York football. Even legendary Joe Namath got in on the action publicly.

Jets fans can only hope this moment transforms into the biggest learning experience in New York football's recent history. There's plenty of blame to be evenly divided between players and front office. Question - will the Jets learn a positive lesson or will they continue griping throughout the spring and into training camp? 2012 off season test number one is getting rid of all disruptive players. Ryan has a chance to get a grip on his team here and now before all is lost before a new season begins.