Jets acquire Tebow from Broncos
--Quarterback Tim Tebow's tumultuous 72-hour rollercoaster reached a conclusion with his trade from Denver to the Jets becoming official Wednesday (March 21).
The deal hit a snag over language in the contract that called for any team acquiring Tebow to pay the Broncos back a little more than $5 million toward his advanced salaries for the next three years.
After negotiating throughout Wednesday, the teams agreed to go through with the deal, with Denver adding a seventh-round pick in exchange for the Jets' fourth- and sixth-round picks in next month's draft.
After the deal was finalized, Jets general manager emphasized what role Tebow will play with the Jets.
"Mark Sanchez is, has been and will be our starting quarterback," Tannenbaum said. "We're adding Tim to be our backup and be used in other packages. I'm looking at two head coaches (Rex Ryan and Tony Sparano, now the Jets' offensive coordinator), who lost to Tim last year.
"Every quarterback in the NFL has a backup, we just changed who ours is and we feel good about it. How many plays Tim plays in one game, Rex and Tony will decide that. But we have a vision for the player, we have a role for the player."
--With the club out of the running for Peyton Manning, the Jets got off to a quiet but efficient start during the free-agency period by re-signing four players, the most notable of which was nose tackle Sione Pouha, who inked a three-year, $15 million deal with $9.5 million guaranteed. Pouha just turned 33 but was ranked as the NFL's top nose tackle by Pro Football Focus last year and hasn't missed a game in the last five seasons.
The Jets also agreed to terms with linebacker Bryan Thomas, wide receiver Patrick Turner and kicker Nick Folk. Thomas, the longest-tenured Jet, was uncertain to return after he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in October but will be back in camp in July on a one-year, $990,000 deal, of which just $300,000 is guaranteed. Turner, who has 10 catches and one touchdown in three NFL seasons, signed a one-year deal for $615,000. Folk, who hit 19-of-25 field goals last year, agreed to an undisclosed contract.
--The extension for quarterback Mark Sanchez took the Jets out of the running for top-tier backup quarterbacks. Jason Campbell (Bears) and Kyle Orton (Cowboys) signed quickly with other teams while Chad Henne, who played the last four seasons in Miami under new Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano and was viewed as someone who could push Sanchez for the starting job, ended up signing a two-year deal with the Jaguars, where he could end up starting over the beleaguered Blaine Gabbert.
The Jets did sign Drew Stanton, who appeared in 13 games (four starts) with the Lions the past four seasons.
--The New York Daily News reported the Jets may pursue a reunion with wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery, who caught 358 passes (eighth-most in team history) from 2004 through 2010 before being cut last summer and landing with the Steelers.
Another receiver potentially on the Jets' radar, according to the NFL Network, is free agent Chaz Schilens, who played under new Jets wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal the last three years in Oakland. Schilens signed with the Jets March 16.
--With the Jets seeking safety help after Jim Leonhard's second straight season-ending leg injury, the Newark Star-Ledger reported the club has interest in free agents LaRon Landry, Brandon Meriweather and Reggie Nelson. Meriweather signed with the Redskins Thursday and Nelson re-signed with the Bengals Sunday.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"It doesn't really bother me at all. I just know that that's a part of this position, especially in New York City." - Quartebrack Mark Sanchez on the criticism he has absorbed since the start of last season.
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