The dog-and-pony show introducing Tim Tebow to New York today will make the pomp and circumstance of the day the Yankees introduced Alex Rodriguez seem like a tempest in a Tebow.
Unlike the Yankees, who won their 27th world championship in 2009, the Jets, who won their first — and last — championship in 1969, will use the event to crown themselves champions of the offseason. But it’s meaningless because while Tebow may come armed with Broadway Joe Namath’s star power, he sure doesn’t have his arm.
It took A-Rod six years before he helped deliver that elusive championship.
This? This is Mission Timpossible.
REX RYAN SAYS TEBOW ISN’T HERE “TO HOLD A CLIPBOARD”
Derek Jeter showed up at that A-Rod press conference at Yankee Stadium to show his support as the Captain. If Mark Sanchez shows up today — and if ever there was a day he should pass, this is it — people will wonder if the club asked him to chauffeur Tebow to the Atlantic Health Jets Training Circus.
Jeter showed up that day knowing that he was still the Captain, still the shortstop. It was A-Rod who was moving to third base, and not him.
Sanchez isn’t changing positions, as far as we know. But boy, is his status changing.
Just watch today when the Jets display their Wildcat quarterback/marketing Messiah in Macy’s window.
Sanchez is immediately diminished — The Incredible Shrinking Jet.
Because today, he isn’t the Chosen One any longer.
He is the Frozen One.
Tebow is The Chosen One, because of the sheer force of his big personality and mass following. There is Tebowmania. There is no Sanchezmania. There is Tebow Time. There is no Sanchez Time.
Only the Jets can stage a Coronation of the Backup Quarterback.
Sanchez deserves better than this, no matter what you think of him as a quarterback. Sure he needed to be pushed, but not by a magnetic force of nature who unintentionally and inevitably will be breathing relentlessly down his neck, who will be pushed toward the playing field by a howling gale of hero worship and curiosity.
Today is another reminder that the Giants make sound, informed football decisions.
The Jets too often make knee-jerk, look-at-us! decisions.
The Giants have a plan. And stay married to that plan.
The Jets have a plan. And can’t wait to divorce that plan whenever the next sexy Miss America catches their eye.
So no one should be surprised today at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Circus if Rex Ryan plays the part of the bearded lady.
Or maybe the magician who saws Sanchez in half.
Tebow will charm the media today, because he always does.
He will tell us how excited and grateful he is for the opportunity, not only to play football in the best of all possible markets, but for the kind of platform he now has to spread his faith and to be an inspirational role model. He will reiterate that he has been told he is the backup. That he has spoken to Sanchez and can’t wait to resume their friendship and get in the film room with him. That he can’t wait to play for Ryan. That he has always relished the challenge of overcoming obstacles and silencing doubters. That no one will practice or play harder than him. That his goal is to help the Jets win a Super Bowl. And, of course, he will talk about his faith.
Sanchez, taking another blindside hit here, had no warning that God and Mike Tannenbaum were plotting to make Tebow a Jet.
It is a Hail Mary back page power grab in the city where the Giants reign, a shortsighted attempt at lighting a fire under their so-called Sanchise, or what Sanchez may privately see as an almighty betrayal.
This is hardly the nurturing environment a young quarterback coming off a head-spinning, disorienting third season needs for the chance to take that next step he failed to take in 2011.
And if Sanchez does fail, Tebow isn’t taking the Jets to a Super Bowl. That makes him exactly like the 31 other backup quarterbacks around the NFL. The difference is he isn’t 40-something Mark Brunell, and he isn’t content to be anyone’s backup, even though he can’t hit the broad side of most barns. He is a young gladiator who never accepts second best.
An even bigger difference is the shadow he will cast over Sanchez. Most backup quarterbacks are the most popular players on struggling teams, but never has there been one who fills the shelves at Modell’s with adult and kids jerseys. Never have fans fallen to their knees and Tebowed for the starting quarterback to move out of the way. Peyton Manning had a Colt following. Tebow has a cult following.
Showtime. Dog and pony showtime.