NFL

Jets WR says Tebow throws ‘a lot’ harder than Sanchez: report

The Mark Sanchez-Tim Tebow comparisons continued Tuesday night, but this one came from a Jets receiver who recently caught passes from the team’s quarterbacks.

Second-year receiver Jeremy Kerley did notice a contrast in one area.

“Different than Mark, different than Mark,” Kerley told NJ.com about Tebow, who was often criticized for his accuracy with the Broncos last year.

“(Tebow’s) ball comes out a little bit stronger, but he’s accurate, he’s more accurate than what I thought he was going to be. But he’s a good dude, he has a great personality, he’ll bring a lot of personality to the team.”

Kerley was asked how significant the difference in speed was.

“A lot, a lot more velocity,” Kerley said at the NFL Pop-Up store on 41st Street in Manhattan. “No dis to Mark, [Tebow] brings it, man.”

Since acquiring Tebow from the Broncos, the Jets have been adamant Sanchez will remain the starter and Tebow will be the backup with a special Wildcat package. But that has not stopped Tebow’s former teammates and others around the NFL from chiming in on how the situation will play out. Many have predicted Tebow will ultimately supplant Sanchez as the team’s starter after leading Denver to the playoffs last year.

Kerley told the website he tweaked his back in the offseason and was unable to join Sanchez and receiver Santonio Holmes for their informal workouts in Florida two weeks ago. But he was at the team’s workouts last week in Florham Park and had the opportunity to work with both quarterbacks.

Kerley said he was surprised when he heard about the trade.

“It was a good shocked,” he said. “We got a winner on our team. Obviously, that’s what he is. I was shocked but I was happy.”

In Kerley’s rookie year out of TCU, he emerged as the slot receiver after Derrick Mason was traded to the Texans. Kerley finished with 29 catches for 314 yards and one touchdown. With Plaxico Burress not returning and Chaz Schillens the only addition at the position, Kerley is hoping to become the starter opposite Holmes.

“I feel like I’m in the running, whether I get it or not that’ll be up to the coaches,” Kerley said. “I’m not too worried about it, I hope I get it, who wouldn’t want to be the No. 2 receiver? But No. 3 is all right, too. No. 3 catches the ball just as much.”