For some odd reason, the New York Jets have taken a page out of the Mets book of public relations over the past few months. And no matter what they do and how they try to apologize for playoff-less season, everything seems to be blowing in their collective faces.
However today, Gang Green outdid themselves.
Not only did they manage to acquire rock star like quarterback Tim Tebow, annoying their incumbent Mark Sanchez and the majority of their fanbase, but they failed to look closely at Tebow’s contact to see they owe about $5 million to the Denver Broncos, almost killing the whole deal.
But they turned down the mulligan and worked it out, so Tebow is now a Jet.
So no matter how you slice it, this comes out badly for the Jets. They already have egg on their face with the snag and now they have a polarizing player who immediately causes a quarterback controversy, while further alienates Sanchez, a player who the Jets owe $20.5 million in guaranteed dollars over the next two years.
If Tebow ever becomes the starter, Sanchez will be a very expensive backup and almost impossible to trade.
All this missing is general manager Mike Tannenbaum telling a stunned press, it was the a reporter’s fault because he lobbied for a job.
Maybe the Jets should take a deep breath here and ask themselves why they wanted Tebow. Sure, he will run the Wildcat about 10 plays a game, but does that small reward really outweigh the risk?
The circus that comes with Tebow will certainly disrupt the Jets sometime next season. If Sanchez has three bad games in a row, does coach Rex Ryan put his relief pitcher in?
Or how about if Sanchez gets hurt and misses some time and Tebow comes in and stars. Does that mean No. 6’s job would be on the line?
Too much bad con come out of this. It’s not a clear cut home run here, like if the Jets signed Peyton Manning, instead they are taking a huge risk and one that has a chance to get Tannenbaum and Ryan fired if it blows up in their faces.
This trade smacks of reaction to the Giants winning the Super Bowl. Since there is nothing the Jets can do to take the Lombardi Trophy away from Big Blue, why not make some big off-season noise. Heck they did it in 2008 with Brett Favre, so why not now.
And then what happens if Eli Manning happens to win another one next year? Do they trade for Brady?
These “wag the dog” type moves that has been a staple of the Wilpon Family, and you can see how well it worked out there.
And speaking of the Mets, maybe Sandy Alderson should sign Tebow, since his team surely needs speed, toughness, and prayer.
Heck, with his arm accuracy, he would fit in well in Queens.
But the Jets? Not so much.
Tannenbaum should have taken the mulligan on this one and kept it quiet until the July. But now all of Jets Nation is taking the Tebow pose and hoping the this trade doesn’t tear the team apart.
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