Jeff Garcia To Jets: Dump The Tim Tebow 'Circus Show'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Jeff Garcia has been getting Mark Sanchez ready to take on all comers in the Jets' quarterback competition, and the former NFL signal-caller sounds worried about Tim Tebow.
That is, as a distraction -- not as a real contender.
"If there's going to be competition at the position, it's not going to come from Tim Tebow," Garcia told USA Today. "Having Tebow there (last season) just became more of a distraction, more of a circus show. Obviously, it's their decision. But from an outsider looking in, having Tebow there doesn't bring anything positive. It just brings distraction.
"For Mark, the main competition is going to be with David Garrard and Greg McElroy."
The Jets also have quarterback Matt Simms on the roster.
Tebow is reportedly planning to attend the Jets' voluntary workouts in Florham Park, N.J., beginning on April 15. Despite enigmatic remarks concerning the future of Tebow from the Jets' general manager and coaches, the polarizing backup is expected to be released this offseason if he can't be traded.
And at this point, a trade seems unlikely.
"(I)t's not fair to Tim to put him through all that," said Garcia. "If there's a place for Tim that gives him a chance to be a contributor in an offense with another team, let him go be that guy."
Garcia has taken Sanchez under his wing, tutoring the embattled quarterback on new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's West Coast offense.
Garcia played for Mornhinweg in San Francisco and Philadelphia.
"Mark did a great job of really getting into the playbook," he said. "He has that determination, that attitude where he really wants to prove to himself more than anybody that he can be a great leader for that team and lead the Jets to great results."
Sanchez followed up a sub-par 2011 with an even worse 2012, throwing 18 interceptions to his 13 touchdowns and completing only 54.3 percent of his passes. He was benched late in the season in favor of third-stringer Greg McElroy.
Meanwhile, Tebow was barely a factor on offense.
"When you're a quarterback, you don't need artificial competition," said Garcia.
Seriously, Jets fans -- who do you expect to win this thing? Should Tebow even be around to compete? Sound off in the comments...
