Tebow, Sanchez look forward to teaming up

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Tim Tebow's every move was captured from the moment he strolled out of the coaches' offices and onto the turf inside the Jets' fieldhouse.

With more than 200 media members and at least 35 cameras rolling -- several showing the introductory news conference live -- Tebow made his way to the podium, smiling the entire time.

"I really don't feel like it will be too much of a distraction," he said of the media crush. "I honestly will try not to pay too much attention to it. The reason we are doing this today is because I have bosses, too, and they wanted me to sit up and talk to all ya'll. So I can blame it on them because they made me do it."

Tebow handled the circus-like atmosphere like a veteran. He downplayed any potential quarterback controversy with Mark Sanchez, who, in his first public remarks since the trade for Tebow, said the situation will not be a distraction.

Wearing a gray suit with a white collared shirt and light green tie, Tebow handled himself flawlessly in his 30-minute question-and-answer session.

He explained he wanted to come to the Jets instead of his hometown Jacksonville Jaguars because he's more familiar with Rex Ryan and his coaches. He stiff-armed anything remotely controversial, brushing off queries about a potential quarterback competition.

Sanchez, in his first public comments since last week's trade for Tebow, also did his best to erase any thoughts that he's unhappy about Tebow's arrival. He said he didn't want to talk about the deal before Monday because he wanted to just "let the dust kind of settle" and make sure everyone knew exactly what was going on.

Although he wasn't consulted before the trade and didn't find out the Jets had made it until he returned a few missed phone calls from general manager Mike Tannenbaum, Sanchez said he isn't the least bit worried about Tebow taking his starting job.

"Not at all, not at all," he said on a conference call with beat writers about five hours after Tebow's news conference. "We are adding another player and we are not replacing anybody. He's here to help us. I'm confident in my abilities. I know the team feels the same way about me; they have belief in me. I'm the same guy that's helped us win a lot of games here with a lot of great players around me.

"I'm not worried about losing my spot, but I think Mike T. and Rex have been absolutely clear on the purpose of this is to add new wrinkles to our offense and not to replace anybody."

Perhaps, but what happens if Sanchez struggles and the fans -- or even some teammates, privately -- start clamoring for the Jets to replace him with Tebow?

"I don't get into the negative hypotheticals like that," Sanchez said. "I don't think he's a distraction. I'm just focused on playing well, improving this offseason.

"But that stuff happens if you're Tim Tebow or not. They call for the backup any time you are not playing to your potential. That's just part of the job if you are not playing well."

Still, Sanchez is expected to be replaced by Tebow in certain packages, most notably the Wildcat. It's not Sanchez's favorite formation, but he said he's on board with it.

"It's well documented that I'm not thrilled playing wide receiver or coming off the field," Sanchez said. "That's just how I'm programmed, and any quarterback is programmed like that. But the way I feel about the Wildcat is really secondary . . . I'm a team guy, and if changing a few things up a couple of times a game is what we need to do, then I'm totally on board."

Tebow is eager to improve on "a great relationship" with Sanchez, whom he first met at the ESPYs three years ago.

"I'm excited about working with him," Tebow said. "I have a lot of respect for him and as a football player, as a person. He's always handled himself with so much class and integrity. I think we'll have a great working relationship. We talked about that, just supporting one another in our roles. I'm excited about that opportunity . . . and hopefully we'll be able to thrive together."