NFL

Santonio: Sanchez ‘rattled’ when he found out Jets grabbed Tebow

Bosom buddies Santonio Holmes and Mark Sanchez spent time this offseason repairing their fractured relationship by having dinner, working out together and sharing long phone calls.

Sanchez might regret ever giving Holmes his phone number.

Holmes told reporters yesterday that the Jets quarterback was “rattled” when he learned the team had traded for Tim Tebow. With just three days before the season opener against the Bills, the Jets are dealing with their first Holmes-related controversy of the regular season.

“I think since Day 1 it was a focus that kind of rattled him a little,” Holmes said of Sanchez.

Holmes said when the two talked after the trade in March, Sanchez said “Wow, how did this happen?”

“Those were words that came out of his mouth,” Holmes said.

But Holmes said since then Sanchez has accepted Tebow’s presence.

“I think he understands now that his role is to be the New York Jets starting quarterback, and Tebow is here to help us win as many games as he can help us win,” Holmes said.

Sanchez has spent the past four months downplaying Tebow’s presence with the Jets. He has been a company man, never complaining about the Jets bringing in one of the most popular people, never mind football players, to share his job.

But Holmes offered a window in how Sanchez actually felt when the team sent a draft pick to the Broncos in order to bring “Tebowmania” to Broadway.

Holmes, who feuded with Sanchez last season, actually comforted him this time.

“He talked to me and I basically told him that this is his team,” Holmes said. “[I said] ‘You’re the starting quarterback. Tebow’s here to help.’ ”

The controversial receiver admitted that he was taken aback when the team made the move, too. It was not until coach Rex Ryan called him that he felt better about the Jets’ big offseason move.

“I honestly didn’t think that it happened,” Holmes said. “Someone told me that it happened and I waited until I saw it on ESPN to believe it. When it happened I honestly didn’t know what to think. I didn’t know if we were getting rid of Mark or bringing in a new quarterback or what. When I talked to Rex Ryan, he kind of put me at ease. “

Holmes bristled last season after catching just 51 passes, his lowest total since his rookie year, for a career-low 654 yards. Things boiled over in the final game of the Jets season in Miami when Holmes did not have a catch for the first time in his career.

It came to light that he and Sanchez had been feuding all season. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson recently told NBC that the quarterback and receiver barely spoke after Week 3 last year.

The duo patched things up in the offseason with Sanchez traveling to Holmes’ home in Orlando to talk things through.

“Spending time with Mark, I think he’s more focused this season,” Holmes said. “He’s excited in replacing himself from what he did last year. … I’m going to ride with him to the end.”

So, is the chemistry between Sanchez and Holmes better?

“We’ll find out on Sunday,” Holmes said with a smile.

Rib, back and hamstring injuries have limited Holmes during training camp and the preseason. He played in just one of the Jets’ preseason games.

But Holmes said he will be out there Sunday, saying this team needs his leadership.

“I’m super excited about Sunday,” said Holmes, who was a team captain last year. “It’s go time. I can’t sit around and expect anybody else to be a leader for this team and to produce the way I know how to.”

He’s producing headlines again. We’ll see about touchdowns.