FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) The message was the same from the New York Jets’ two quarterbacks: We can do this.

And, not only that. Both Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow think they’re going to have lots of fun along the way.

A brewing quarterback controversy? Not if you ask them.

”I think we’ll have a great working relationship,” Tebow told the sea of reporters at his introductory news conference Monday. ”We talked about that, just supporting one another in our roles. I’m excited about that opportunity. I think we’ll have a great relationship and hopefully we’ll be able to thrive together.”

Sanchez, meanwhile, was nowhere near the Jets’ packed practice facility. He was home in California – and didn’t even watch Tebow smile his way through his first New York close-up.

”I heard he did a pretty good job,” Sanchez said on a conference call five hours later. ”How did he do?”

Well, Tebow handled himself just fine in the spotlight, a situation Sanchez has been accustomed to during his first three NFL seasons.

”As the quarterback of the Jets, I’m getting wins for this team,” Sanchez said. ”That’s my primary focus. If Tim is going to help us win, I’m excited about that.”

They’ve known each other for a few years, and Sanchez even hosted Tebow at the University of Southern California on a recruiting trip.

”He’s a very classy person with a lot of integrity,” Tebow said. ”He’s also fun to hang around. I think our quarterback room will be a lot of fun.”

Sanchez was equally as complimentary, dishing out the praise for his celebrity backup.

”He’s such a good guy, people don’t want to believe it,” Sanchez said. ”There’s no such thing as that good of a guy, but he is. He’s a great guy, a great competitor, and he’s going to make a great teammate.”

Yep, both quarterbacks said all the right things about themselves, each other and the goal they share.

”I would give my whole heart to be the best Jet I possibly can be,” Tebow said, ”and help this team win football games.”

Added Sanchez: ”Our team goal is what’s most important, and that’s winning.”

Sure, it all sounds good, but is it realistic?

Consider that Tebow is a confident and polished rock star who has been a winner on the field. Oh, and he walks in as the Jets’ most popular player, thanks to a huge contingent of fans who have followed him from the University of Florida to the Denver Broncos and now to New York.

”I really don’t feel like it will be too much of a distraction because I honestly will try not to pay too much attention to it,” Tebow said. ”The reason we’re doing this today is because I have bosses, too, and they wanted me to stand up and talk to all of you. I can blame it on them because they made me do it.”

He laughed a few times, grinned throughout and went out of his way to dismiss any speculation that this could be one potential sticky situation. But make no mistake: Tebow is a competitor whose desire is to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. His shortcomings are well-documented with his flawed mechanics, questionable decision-making and 46.5 percent completion rate last season. Tebow also has a resume filled with stirring comeback victories and a playoff win – all last season with the Broncos.

The game plan – at least for now – is to have Tebow serve as the backup to Sanchez, who coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum insist is the unquestioned starter. Tebow is also going to have plenty of playing time, in all kinds of roles. And, if that comes from under center, that sounds good to him.

”I think, first and foremost, I’m a football player first and then a quarterback, although that is my dream, that’s what I want to be,” he said. ”That’s what I believe I am, is a quarterback. But however I can help the team, however I can make a difference, however they can use me, I’ll be open to it and work as hard as I can every time I step on that field.”

Ryan has suggested that Tebow could see as many as 20 plays a game, a massive amount for a backup quarterback. That means Sanchez will have to head to the sideline for a good handful of those, and that’s something that doesn’t exactly excite him. But, also not looking to stir any controversy, Sanchez chose his words carefully.

”It’s well-documented that I’m not thrilled about playing wide receiver or coming off the field,” he said. ”But that’s just how I’m programmed, and any quarterback is programmed like that. The way I feel about the wildcat really is secondary. I’m a team guy and I’ll do whatever it takes to win. If changing a few things up a couple times a game is what we need to do, I’m totally on board.”

That’s exactly what the Jets want to hear. But will the harmony last? After all, it’s only March. The situation the Jets put themselves in will play out over the next several months, leading up to training camp sometime in late-July or early August in quaint Cortland, N.Y., which will likely overflow with fans eager to see Tebow in person.

And, if Sanchez slips up or struggles? That’s when the real test will be. After all, the Jets committed to Sanchez when they signed him to a three-year extension a little more than two weeks ago.

”We’re adding another player,” Sanchez said of Tebow’s arrival. ”We’re not replacing anybody. I mean, he’s here to help us. I’m confident in my abilities. I know the team feels the same way about me. They have belief in me. … So, yeah, I’m not worried about losing my spot.”

Now, the Jets have to try to make it all work. They have to decide how much they use the wildcat with Tebow, what they do if Sanchez struggles, how they manage the subsequent public outcry for Tebow and how they keep two young quarterbacks who want to start happy together.

”I really don’t pay too much attention to it,” Tebow said. ”I think the exciting thing is that me and Mark have a great relationship. We have had a great relationship for the last three years. We’ve been friends. We’ve texted back and forth. We’ve talked already. I think we’ll have a lot of fun together.”

Say this about Tim Tebow: He’s excited to be with the New York Jets.

He sure said so _ over and over and over again.

He started with it. He finished with it. He never allowed anyone to get him off message.

If was a deft strategy for defusing those piranhas in the New York media, who surely came with snarling teeth, ready to rip him apart, but got nothing more than how utterly thrilled Tebow was to have been deposed by the team he led to the playoffs last season (that would be the Denver Broncos) and traded to Team Dysfunction (that would very much be the Jets).

He looked questioners in the eye, throwing in the extra touch of bending ever so slightly in their direction from the podium, just to show how much he really cared about their queries. He smiled frequently and easily. It was all so disarming.

Did we mention he’s excited?

But let’s put aside that seven-letter word for a moment and cut to the chase: If the Jets are using Tebow to steal away some of the thunder from their stadium-sharing rivals, the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, don’t view him as an unwitting pawn.

He’s very much using the Jets right back.

Turns out, for all those opinions of Tebow, which range from someone we’d want our daughters to marry to a religious zealot masquerading as a legitimate NFL quarterback, the real answer is not nearly as juicy.

He’s a pragmatist, pure and simple, at least when it came to deciding his post-Denver future.

After the Broncos signed Peyton Manning, Tebow weighed his options. He could return to his hometown of Jacksonville, Fla., just up the road from where he won a national title and the Heisman Trophy, to help resurrect the lowly Jaguars. Or, he could go to the nation’s media epicenter, to play for a better team that already has a starting quarterback, but is so starved for attention it threw out the possibility of significant snaps out of the wildcat. And _ this is important _ it would give him a much bigger canvas to add much bolder strokes to the Tebow brand, which, to his credit, involves some very significant charity work and willingness to be a role model.

While his most fervent fans probably thought the Jaguars were the logical choice, it appears Tebow had his eye on the bright lights all along, not unlike another Jets quarterback who came along before him, pushing a much different message.

Broadway Tim, he’s not, but Tebow surely knows _ as Joe Namath did _ that being the Big Cheese in the Big Apple is a chance to become even more of a household name. Think Linsanity would’ve caught fire the way it did anywhere else? And don’t think a straight arrow like Tebow will necessarily be out of place in a city some view as just a notch above Sodom.

Tebow seemed to get it all along, though he made every effort to pretend otherwise..

That was the part that seemed insincere during a 35-minute news conference, which served as his introduction to New York.

If you didn’t let all the “exciteds” distract you _ the unofficial tally was somewhere around 40 _ there was clear insight into how this whole thing came down.

For instance, despite Tebow trying to paint himself as a player who just went where he was told, it’s clear the Broncos consulted him and dealt him where he wanted to go.

“Ultimately, they had my contract. They had all the power,” Tebow insisted. Then, he conceded, “They listened to me and what I had to say. That was very gracious of them. They didn’t have to do that.”

If one needed additional evidence this deal came with Tebow’s full endorsement, think about how he went on about his close relationship with fiery Jets coach Rex Ryan _ boy, is that an odd couple _ and the incumbent quarterback whose job he’ll be trying to take, Mark Sanchez. Tebow said he had no such relationship with the folks in Jacksonville, where there’s a new owner, new coaching staff, and a rebuilding team.

Fair enough. But it wasn’t exactly clear how Tebow became such fast friends with the guys in green, other than sharing an agent with Ryan and an occasional promotional appearance with Sanchez.

On Ryan: “Gosh, I’m trying to remember the first place we met.”

On Sanchez: “Gosh, when was the first time we met?”

The aw-shucks routine wasn’t quite so persuasive on a couple of other points, either.

Tebow acted genuinely surprised that so many reporters, an estimated 200, showed up for his meet-the-New York-press event.

“Blame the guys upstairs,” he quipped. “They wanted me to do it.”

Asked whether he had instructed some of his endorsement partners to back off, notably Jockey, after it plastered a giant billboard above the Lincoln Tunnel displaying for millions of motorists Tebow’s determined mug and the message: “We Support Tebow &” _ oh, yeah _ “New York.”

Again, he pleaded no-contest.

“I have not had a chance to talk to them,” he said, “but I guess they are pretty excited.”

Ah, there’s that word again.

Everyone, it seems, is excited.

___

Paul Newberry is a national writer for The Associated Press. Write to him at pnewberry(at)ap.org or http://www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963

The New York Jets have signed backup quarterback, Drew Stanton, to a one-year $1.25 million deal. They may have jumped the gun in signing a quarterback before Peyton Manning made his decision. Rumors are that the Denver Broncos are looking to trade their former starting quarterback. Would Tim Tebow be a good choice for a New York quarterback?

Tim Tebow’s stats

In his two years as an NFL quarterback, Time Tebow has played in a total of 23 games. In 2011, he threw for 1,729 yards, had 12 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. His quarterback rating in 2011 was 72.9. His lifetime rating is 75.1

Drew Stanton’s stats

In 2011, Drew Stanton did not start or play in a single game. Since the 2008 season, he has started in four games and played in a total of six games. Prior to being picked up by the Jets this year, he played for the Detroit Lions. His lifetime rating is 63.1. Explain to me why he is worth $1.25 million?

Mark Sanchez‘s stats

Statistically, 2011 was the best year yet for Mark Sanchez. He has a quarterback rating of 78.2 for 2011 and a lifetime rating of 73.2. In 2011 he threw for 3,474 yards with 26 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. If the New York Jets’ front office is looking for someone to challenge and push Sanchez, they missed the mark with Stanton. The Jets would have been better picking up a rookie in the draft and leaving Greg McElroy as second.

Does Mark Sanchez need a push?

Tim Tebow on the other hand, is someone who could push Mark Sanchez to greatness or take over the starting position. Tebow is hungry and he is not afraid to put it all on the line. The Jets have made a vote of confidence in Sanchez, but if they are looking for someone to challenge him, Tebow would have been a better choice. If the Jets were to bring in Tebow, it could be a show-down for the starting position in 2013. I’m not sure why the Jets feel Sanchez needs pushing–he is holding his own.

Would the New York Media embrace Tebow Time?

Right now, the New York media is having a love/hate relationship with Mark Sanchez and so are the fans. When the team is winning, the fans tolerate a lot more. The media in New York is brutal. Unless the Jets were to win the Super Bowl with an undefeated season, the media will always have something negative to say about them.

Tim Tebow might be a good choice for a quarterback to get Mark Sanchez riled, but I do not think that he is a good fit for the New York in general. New York fans will boo their own teams if they are not performing well. I do not see Tim Tebow handling the New York culture well.

Everything else set aside, I am not sure that the Jets have room in their salary cap to bring in Tim Tebow. Wherever he goes, it will be for more than a mere $1.25 million for one year. If you look at what the Jets have done so far in the free-agency period–they are picking up second rate players on the cheap. Even if New York could afford him, I’m not sure that Tebow would want to play in Sanchez’s shadow.

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Lynda Altman grew up just outside of New York City. She has been a Jets fan all of her life and hopes they have a winning season in 2012. You can contact her @LdyJetsFan on Twitter.

Joe Namath knows what it’s like to go to that second team. (AP)

All but one season of Joe Namath’s 13-year NFL career was spent with the New York Jets, so the Hall of Fame quarterback knows a little bit about what Peyton Manning is going through right now. Manning, who missed the entire 2011 season following multiple neck surgeries, was released from the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday, drawing a close to a legacy that turned around the downtrodden franchise.

Much like Namath, who left the Jets in 1977 to play one season with the Los Angeles Rams, Manning is now looking for his first team since being drafted by the Colts 14 years ago.

[ Related: Sources: Peyton Manning making progress with arm strength ]

“I made that move after 12 years and it was very difficult. So much newness involved and I made the move because I wanted to play,” Namath told Yahoo! Sports.

“The move was made because the Rams’ coach was Chuck Knox and I had a relationship with him, one dating back to high school, actually. I thought I was sound enough to play and the Jets were going through a rebuilding situation and Richard Todd wanted to play. But I see Peyton going to a contender; I can’t see him going to someone who can’t contend. If he goes to Miami, he’d be in that situation certainly.”

Namath (a contributor to the Shutdown Corner Blog during the playoffs), sees Manning playing in Miami making sense, especially since the team finished last year on a strong note and has several offensive playmakers to go with a good offensive line. Plus, Manning lives in south Florida, seemingly making it a natural fit.

On Friday, Manning visited the Denver Broncos, and the Arizona Cardinals will also get consideration from a quarterback who has thrown over 54,000 yards and 399 touchdowns in the regular season.

First and foremost, Namath is concerned with Manning’s health, but he doesn’t think teams should shy away from him just because of the neck surgeries and nerve impingement.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he can play another five years, if he’s healthy,” Namath said. “The number one thing with him is his arm strength because he does have excellent health otherwise. If anyone can swing this and be successful it is Peyton Manning — and let’s not forget that Joe Montana was reasonably successful in Kansas City after all those years in San Francisco. I’m not concerned about him going somewhere new. I’d want to see him throw that ball. What about that arm strength?”

Follow Kristian R. Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer

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MIAMI – Jason Taylor’s ready to hang it up, while the New York Jets are desperate to keep playing.

Taylor plans to retire after Sunday’s season finale for the Miami Dolphins. They’ll try to send him out with a win against the Jets, who need a victory to keep alive their slim hopes of making the playoffs.

Even if the Jets win, to earn a post-season berth they’ll also need losses Sunday by Cincinnati, Tennessee and either Denver or Oakland.

“This is the first time I have ever been in a situation like this,” said receiver Plaxico Burress, a 10-year veteran. “If we do get in, great. If things don’t work out, we have nobody to blame but ourselves.”

The Jets (8-7) lost control of their destiny when they were beaten last week by the Giants 29-14. Now the Jets are in danger of missing the playoffs after reaching the AFC championship game each of the past two years, and elimination could come at the hands of the AFC East rival Dolphins (5-10).

“It would be beautiful to ruin their playoff dreams,” Miami defensive end Kendall Langford said. “We’re playing for pride. They’re playing for a playoff spot.”

The teams meet in a regular-season finale for the first time since 2008, when the Dolphins won to clinch their only division title since 2000. That game eliminated the Jets from playoff contention.

This year the Dolphins have been consigned to a spoiler’s role since Halloween, thanks to their 0-7 start. Taylor’s retirement announcement this week provided some additional motivation for the last game.

The NFL’s active sack leader spent 13 of his 15 seasons with Miami, made the Pro Bowl six times and ranks with the greatest players in franchise history.

“His presence will be missed, not only in our locker room, but in this organization,” receiver Brandon Marshall said. “Those guys are once-in-a-lifetime guys. We would love for him to go out with a win.”

Coincidentally, Taylor played last season for the Jets before rejoining the Dolphins.

“He was a great teammate, and we loved having him here,” Jets tight end Dustin Keller said. “But they’re going to want to send him off with a big win, and we can’t let that happen. We know what kind of player he is and what he’s capable of, and we can’t let him disrupt the game.”

Taylor has 16 1/2 of his 139 1/2 sacks against the Jets, although he managed none when the teams met in October. New York won 24-6, and while the Dolphins have been a much better team lately, they’ll be without 1,000-yard rusher Reggie Bush because of a knee injury.

The Dolphins took a 17-point lead at New England last week before losing 27-24, which left them 0-5 in games decided by a field goal or less. The Jets’ loss to the Giants carried even more sting, because it may wind up costing them a playoff berth.

Coach Rex Ryan declared months ago that these Jets are even more talented than the two teams he took to the AFC title game. But New York has given up 74 points while losing the past two games, and the offence was so out of sorts against the Giants that Mark Sanchez was forced to throw a career-high 59 passes. The Jets rank 27th in the NFL in yardage, stirring speculation about offensive co-ordinator Brian Schottenheimer’s job security.

With typical bravado, Ryan insisted the season might yet be salvaged.

“We can do some damage if we get into the playoffs,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any doubt about that, because I think we play excellent defence, I think we can run the football, and I think that’s what you have to do this time of year.”

But getting to the post-season is now a long shot. Three of the other games that will determine the Jets’ fate are late starts Sunday, which means that if they win, the Jets will likely be flying home when they learn whether their season is over.

“We’re just focused on the things we can control, and that’s trying to play well against Miami and coming up with a win,” Sanchez said. “After that, we’ll see what happens. Hopefully we get a win and on the plane we find out everything worked out in our favour. But all we can control is winning.”

The Dolphins, meanwhile, are bound for another off-season of change. Coach Tony Sparano was fired Dec. 12, and the next coach will be Miami’s seventh since the start of 2004. With a losing record for the third consecutive year — the Dolphins’ first such stretch since the 1960s — a roster shake-up is likely, too.

Given his team’s situation, the 37-year-old Taylor decided the time was right to call it quits. He’ll do it after playing his 204th game for the Dolphins, more than anyone aside from Dan Marino.

“It’s great to have a chance to walk away in front of your home crowd in a city that means a lot to you against an opponent that you’ve had a tremendous history against,” Taylor said. “I want to win the game, but not so I can say I won my last game. This is not about Jason Taylor and my career. There are guys in the locker-room that are fighting for jobs, fighting for their futures, auditioning for their next jobs. So I’m just a small piece of this team train. I’m going to do my part Sunday to help win.”