At first Tim Tebow was very excited to be a NY Jet. How is he feeling after participating in his offseason program with the Jets? Read what he had to say during his interview today…
On Mark Sanchez inviting him to “Jets West”…
Yeah, I know it’s pretty much open to everybody on the team and I think that’s great. Hopefully we will be able to improve and get a little bit better and also get to know each other well.
On if he extended a personal invitation to him…
Just the same he did to everybody else on the team.
On if the quarterback situation influenced his invitation…
I don’t think so. I think we just have a great relationship and I think we both want to get better as football players, as quarterbacks and find a way to help this team win football games and that is what it’s about. Also, our friendship outside of this locker room, outside of this facility has been great and I think that is important as well.
On if he enjoys playing on Special Teams…
On if he has worked on the Wildcat offense…
We are just learning the offense right now, trying to improve on the base offense and get everything down. We are still installing stuff every day. Obviously, that is cutting down now. We have got pretty much everything installed and now it is just getting everything refreshed on everything.
On what the biggest adjustment has been…
You have to know the offense. So its understanding that and then going against a great defense, one of the best in the league. (You have to identify the) Mike, understand hot (routes) and sights, and get the ball out. Then, it is getting the timing right with these receivers on some of their routes. It might be live scrimmage but it might be the first time you’ve hit one of these receivers on that route. Sometimes that can be a little bit off but that’s something we’re working on. I feel like every day we’re getting a little bit better at it.
On Coach Sparano’s style…
I like it. He loves the game of football. He’s just passionate about it. Some mornings when we’ll have off, he’ll come up here at four in the morning just to go over more ball. He’s just passionate about it. He loves it. That’s what you want out of a coach, is a coach that loves the game, is passionate about it and is also creative. It’s not that it’s got to be the same as he has always done. He’s creative he wants to come up with new stuff, new ideas, and I think he’s very bold in that way, he’s not worried about what other people think. He’s just worried about whatever works.
On how much can be accomplished at “Jets West”…
Well, I think several things. I think one is to continue to develop timing with receivers, with tight ends, with running backs, with fullbacks, and then also to develop chemistry off the field. When you have better chemistry off the field it’s going to correlate to how you play on the field. I think that’s huge and it’s something that I think will be good for this team.
On what his current role is…
Right now, it’s just to learn the offense. Go out there and compete every day. Do my best. And when I get in there, try to lead this offense and score points.
On if he feels more comfortable on the punt team…
(Laughter) I get more comfortable everyday whatever it is. At quarterback, or running down there on punt team. I have fun with it.
On Nick Mangold’s shirt…
I heard about it. I did hear about it. We had some laughs in the training room. I didn’t actually see it in here I was already working out.
On if he feels more accepted knowing that they can joke with him…
I hope so. We have a good time, going back and forth and have some laughs. Nick is good at a lot of jokes too. So he tends to make everyone laugh.
On if he’s expecting any initiation at “Jets West”…
I don’t think so. I think we’ll just be there to get to know each other and be a little better.
On if it’s tough to be a leader as a backup quarterback…
I think sometimes you can let some of the stigmas get in the way, when maybe you are a backup or you’re not out there all the time. But I think if you’re just yourself you can kind of not really let that bother you and just be who you are and then I think you’re leadership abilities can kind of take back over and when you are in there, be yourself, encourage guys, be excited, even if you’re not in there, still encourage guys, and be someone that hopefully can be a coach on the field, someone that can be encouraging guys, someone that knows everything that’s going on. That’s something that I try to strive for.