Head coach Rex Ryan plays down talk of New York Jets quarterback controversy – NFL News
New York Jets signing of quarterback Tim Tebow in a trade with the Denver Broncos has led to increasing questions of a budding quarterback controversy.
Regular quarterback Mark Sanchez’s silence over the whole Tebow affair has led to increasing comment that the young quarterback’s arrival will create more fissures in an already divided Jets locker room.
However, coach Rex Ryan tried to downplay all such talk when he talked with the media on the sidelines of the National Football League’s annual meeting at Palm Beach in Florida.
Ryan in his press conference revealed that it is not Sanchez’s job to say who the Jets bring in and all decisions are made on the team’s requirements.
Speaking to reporters the Jets head coach said.
"Mark's job is to play quarterback, it's not to be the general manager. That's what it is. Our decisions are based on the team."
He also went on to say that increased competition also brings out the best in players and that he is pleased with both his quarterbacks.
"I will say this: I feel better about our quarterback situation now than I ever have since I've been here,"
The Jets traded a fourth round and sixth round draft pick to bring the 24-year-old to New York while gaining a seventh round pick in April’s drafts.
Tebow’s arrival and subsequent media frenzy has been panned by many analysts and ex-players who believe that the youngster’s arrival will go on to hit Mark Sanchez’s already fragile psyche.
Ryan though feels quite the opposite about the situation and said that everyone is fine with the move and Tebow will help the Jets meet their goals and make the team much stronger.
"Sanchez will absolutely be OK with it -- if we win. We're all OK with it. [Receiver]Santonio Holmes will be OK with it if we win. That's the key."
The Jets ended the 2011-12 regular season 8-8 after locker room fights and continuous leaks to media by anonymous players who questioned Sanchez’s leadership qualities led to an increasingly divided roster.
They missed out on the playoffs for the first time under Rex Ryan while also having to watch their close rivals New York Giants lift the Super Bowl.
Hopefully Tebow’s arrival will help the Jets win games and winning will be the best therapy to unite the Jets warring locker room factions to unite for the common goal of reaching the Super Bowl.
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