National Football League

Jets players wary of Tebow circus

Published Mar. 25, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

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Tim Tebow officially became a Jet on Saturday afternoon, once his contract was removed from the Broncos salary cap. Now, the fun begins.

The most discussed transaction in Jets history becomes more than just talk-show fodder. His first official appearance as a Jet will come Monday at noon local time, when the team will hold an introductory news conference at its headquarters in Florham Park, N.J.

How big is Tebow? The Jets do not even have a room big enough to hold all of the media that will attend. The news conference will take place inside their fieldhouse.

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 Tebow in.

The idea of a backup quarterback having a news conference is something they cannot wrap their heads around, and they know it is just the beginning.

Former Jet Damien Woody, now an ESPN analyst, said the team contradicted itself this week. Jets brass keep saying Tebow is just a backup quarterback, but then they play into the circus element of acquiring Tebow with things like Monday's spectacle, which will be broadcast on several TV stations.

"The organization is saying he's the backup quarterback," Woody said. "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."

Woody's opinions were in line with several of the players interviewed. Woody said he thinks the Jets have no idea what they are getting into.

"It could be very disruptive," he said.

Mark Sanchez, who will be affected more than anyone on the team, has yet to make a public statement. But someone close to him said Saturday that he was handling Tebow's arrival fine.

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