Mark Sanchez (6) and Tim Tebow (15) (
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It’s finally here.
For nearly seven months, the Jets have been trying to live down their 2011 season and the way it ended with the Miami meltdown. On Thursday, they get to turn the page when they report to training camp at SUNY-Cortland.
“I can’t wait,” coach Rex Ryan said last week. “I think I’ve looked forward to this season probably more than any other season in my life because I think again I have something to prove. … To quote Tim Tebow, I’m excited about it.”
Speaking of Tebow, the backup quarterback is going to bring a new, interesting element to camp this year. He is sure to draw throngs of fans and reporters to camp, giving the Jets circus a new attraction.
Here’s a look at some of the major questions facing the Jets in training camp:
KEY ISSUE: Will the new offense click?
This was going to be whether cornerback Darrelle Revis would hold out or not, but it appears he will report to camp on time, according to an Associated Press report late Friday.
With Revis in the fold, the focus will be on the other side of the ball where offensive coordinator Tony Sparano will continue to install his new offense. After six years of Brian Schottenheimer, the Jets will have a new look.
Players say it has been like learning a new language. They better be fluent by September.
KEY HEALTHY PLAYER: LaRon Landry
The Jets biggest free agent acquisition was not able to practice during the spring program because of a left foot injury that ended his 2011 season with the Redskins. Landry opted to have alternative treatments on the foot and Achilles tendon issues rather than surgery.
He said last month in minicamp that he was healing quicker than expected and hoped to be ready for camp.
Safety was a major problem for the Jets last year. They signed Landry to a one-year, $3.5 million deal in hopes of solidifying the position. He already is going to be behind in learning the defense because of missing most of the voluntary program in the spring. The Jets need him to get healthy quick and pick up the defense.
KEY POSITION BATTLE: Quarterback
Mark Sanchez vs. Tim Tebow
Ok, Ok. I know this is not truly a camp competition. Sanchez is the starter. Tebow is the backup. That’s not going to change in camp. But the Jets don’t have a true position up for grabs outside of kicker, and I think Sanchez-Tebow will be watched a bit more closely than Nick Folk vs. Josh Brown.
How the Jets use Sanchez and Tebow will be dissected each day, as will how the two perform in practice and preseason games. Diehard Jets fans will be annoyed at all the attention given to the quarterbacks, but they better get used to it.
It is unlikely the Jets will show much of what they have planned for Tebow while the public and the media are watching. But any glimpse of a zone-read play from Tebow or him lining up somewhere other than under center will create big headlines.
KEY VETERAN: Shonn Greene
For all the talk about the quarterback position, the key to the Jets season might be the guy who lines up behind them. This is Greene’s fourth year with the Jets, but the first when he is the most experienced running back they have.
Greene got off to a slow start last year before ending up over 1,000 yards for the season. The Jets can’t have him start slow this year. Under Sparano, the offense is going to be centered around overpowering the defense with the running game then hitting them with a big pass.
Many people saw the Jets’ trade for Tebow as a slap at Sanchez. But if the Jets use Tebow as they have talked about, it shows a lack of confidence in Greene. They feel they need a gimmick like having Tebow on the field to have a strong running game.
KEY ROOKIE: Stephen Hill
The Jets have several intriguing rookies this year, but Hill tops the list. The Jets are counting on him to win the No. 2 receiver job and provide a deep threat opposite Santonio Holmes.
The Jets love Hill’s size and speed, but hamstring issues limited him during OTAs and minicamp. The Jets need him healthy and on the field picking up the offense. Hill played in an option offense in college. He needs as many reps as possible during training camp to learn how to be an NFL receiver.
brian.costello@nypost.com