BOSTON — So at the end of a long day’s journey into night, the Jets had to have God’s Quarterback.
At virtually any cost.
Most ominously, at the potential ruination of Mark Sanchez.
So at the end of this long day’s journey into night, after the attendance-deprived Jaguars tried to swoop in at the 11th hour, the Jets still had a chance to drop out of the Tim Tebow Sweepstakes when the Broncos insisted they were owed $5 million in salary advanced to Tebow through 2014.
JETS PLAN TO USE TEBOW IN WILDCAT, VOW NO QB CONTROVERSY
LOCAL FANS REACT TO TEBOW SIGNING
VACCARO: TANNENBAUM PUTS IT ALL ON THE LINE
“We had a disagreement on how the advance was going to be handled,” general manager Mike Tannenbaum said.
Owner Woody Johnson has told us — with a straight face — the Jets passed on Peyton Manning. God forbid they should pass on Tim Tebow!
Not only did the Jets surrender fourth- and sixth-round draft picks for a gimmick quarterback with ungodly flaws and a seventh-round choice, they also agreed to fork over $2.5 million of the monies owed the Broncos.
Holy Heisman!
Welcome to the Ringless Bros. and Ryan and Tebow Circus.
The Jets lusting after Tebow the way they did, all but tripping over themselves to announce at 1:03 p.m. that they had “agreed in principle” to bring Tebow-mania to New York, only means that Sanchez better be the one praying.
It means the only commandment in the Sanchise’s football Bible now is Thou Shalt Not Stink. Or else.
It is further evidence the Jets don’t believe they have their Sanchise quarterback.
It means fickle Jets fans disturbed by the Sanchez’s regression last season won’t hesitate howling for Tebow the first time he throws a pick. Or booing Sanchez whenever he trots back onto the field following a Tebow Wildcat first down.
“We obviously know Tim has a magnetic following and he’s a dynamic person,” Tannenbaum said. “Mark in this market has shown resiliency and toughness.”
There could not possibly be more of an Odd Couple than Ringmaster Rex Ryan and Tebow, and it means Ringmaster Rex — and his players — will be swamped with questions about Tebow Time every time Sanchez falters.
Even if Tebow sells a few thousand PSLs, even if he gets the Jets the coveted Back Page every now and then in a town where the Super Bowl Giants reside, even if he is able to add toughness and leadership and class to a locker room sorely lacking them, was it worth bringing in a Wildcat quarterback/special teamer/jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none who will draw media crowds worthy of a rock star everywhere he walks (on water)? No.
Will quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh be able to transform Tebow into a quarterback who could play the position the way it was meant to be played instead of one who throws ducks and completes 46 percent of his passes? Doubtful.
Will Tebow operating Tony Sparano’s Wildcat keep Bill Belichick up at night? Hardly.
But it undoubtedly will keep Sanchez up at night, and playing with the fragile psyche of your young franchise quarterback is risky and treacherous business.
Sanchez left a voice mail for Tebow, who returned the call, and the two of them began renewing their friendship. Getting along with Tebow, who sounded giddy talking about how he loved Ryan on “Hard Knocks” — F-bombs and all — and the passion of Jets fans, won’t be the problem.
“I’ll be very honored to call him my teammate,” Tebow said.
Sanchez has plenty enough to worry about trying to bond with Santonio Holmes, and new receiver Chaz Schilens. The mere presence of Tebow only will embolden those in his own locker room who do not support him. Tebow’s inspirational gifts, his charisma and his infectious competitive drive will endear him to the Sanchez detractors.
One problem with that: Tebow isn’t an NFL quarterback. He is a running back or safety masquerading as an NFL quarterback.
Already yesterday, the Los Angeles Times ran a poll: Tim Tebow or Mark Sanchez: Who should start for the Jets?
Tebow will impact Sanchez this way: He will be looking over his shoulder every time Tebow so much as sneezes. Yes, he needs mental toughness to play here. He also needs to know he has the support of his team.
“Mark Sanchez is, has been and will be our starting quarterback,” Tannenbaum said.
The Jets aren’t coddling Sanchez anymore, and they made a move that could cut him off at the knees. He now walks through the valley of the shadow of calamity and controversy.
steve.serby@nypost.com