New Jets wide receiver David Nelson said he has not spoken to his college teammate Tim Tebow about life with the Jets since signing with the team Tuesday.
Nelson was scheduled to work out with Tebow next weekend. He said Tebow, who is currently a free agent, called him a few weeks ago and asked him if he wanted to work out.
Nelson played with Tebow at the University of Florida and famously caught a jump pass from Tebow in the 2009 BCS Championship Game against Oklahoma. He said he is surprised no teams have taken a chance on Tebow since the Patriots waived him in the preseason.
“I am, just because I know him,” Nelson said, “and I know what he can bring to a team, not just from the physical aspect of on the field but what he brings off the field – that aura and the presence he has about him. Guys love being around him. Guys feed off that and he makes other people better. Even if he’s not out there calling the plays, he’s helping guys, coaching guys. To have that as a backup quarterback is extremely valuable.”
Nelson said he has not had time to call Tebow since signing with the Jets. He has had his head buried in the playbook and believes things are coming along quickly for him. He could have a big role Monday night in Atlanta with Santonio Holmes out and Stephen Hill possibly missing the game, too.
“It’s going a lot better than expected,” Nelson said. “This offense is very complex, but it’s very similar to what I went through in Buffalo as far as a concept offense. I feel like I have a great grasp of it after 48 hours of being here. Coach [Marty] Mornhinweg and Coach [David] Lee and Coach Sanjay [Lal] have done a great job of really making an effort to spend time with me and install everything with me. We get here early before meetings. We stay after meetings and really make sure I really get a good feel for what’s going on.”