Sanchez On Tebow's Media Attention: 'I'm Dealing With It The Best Way I Can'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- When the Jets acquired Tim Tebow last offseason, starting quarterback Mark Sanchez had nothing but nice things to say about the former Heisman Trophy winner.
When Sanchez struggled during the season and fans called for Tebow to take over, Sanchez bit his tongue and didn't say a word.
And this offseason, as Tebow's future with the team and the league has continued to dominate headlines, Sanchez hasn't said one derogatory thing about his teammate or his organization's decision to bring him in.
But maybe now the fifth-year quarterback is getting tired of keeping his mouth shut.
"I just don't know if it was the best situation for either of us, but you play with the cards you are dealt with and do the very best you can," Sanchez told Fox Sports Radio in regard to the media coverage that Tebow received during the 2012 campaign.
ESPN covered the Jets' training camp in Cortland, N.Y., nonstop last season -- unquestionably because of the Sanchez-Tebow angle.
"Well, I think part of that, too, is ESPN didn't necessarily sneak in overnight at our training camp," Sanchez said. "They had to get permission to go. You can avoid that stuff on your own if you like, in my opinion, but he's a popular guy and people gravitate towards the guy. He's a special person and a heck of a competitor, so people want to know what's going on, but that's all I got on that."
Sanchez did admit, however, that him and Tebow remain on very good terms and have a mutual respect for one another.
"It's cool," Sanchez said in the radio interview. "We're good. He's a nice guy. He works hard and that's good. It honestly, after the shock of the whole thing, was something you were going to have to deal with. I'm dealing with it the best way I can and trying to stay positive about the whole thing, and I think it's not on my mind. I'm concerned right now with learning a new system and being the best quarterback I can be, and hopefully that helps the team."
The Tebow-Sanchez dynamic has gotten ugly over the past couple of weeks.
Last week, ex-NFL quarterback Jeff Garcia -- who's been working with Sanchez -- said that Gang Green should dump the Tebow "circus show."
And this past Thursday, Tebow's quarterback tutor said that Sanchez is "fragile-minded."
Sanchez struggled mightily last season, throwing 13 touchdowns to 18 interceptions. He completed just 54.3 percent of his passes and fumbled the ball 14 times.
Tebow was used primarily as a personal punt protector on special teams in 2012. He threw just eight passes on the season, completing six of them for 39 yards. He also rushed the ball 32 times for 102 yards. The 25-year-old didn't score any touchdowns.
So the truth finally comes out. Are you at all surprised? Sound off with your thoughts and comments below...
