1. Timsanity in New York
It was a move that not many saw coming, but the Jets swiftly completed one of the blockbuster deals of the offseason. The deal was not without roadblocks as it hit a snag after the Jets front office hastily agreed to trade terms with the Denver Broncos without realizing they were responsible for paying Tim Tebow’s $5.06 million dollar salary advance. Both sides were able to finalize the contract after the false start as Gang Green agreed to pay half of Tebow’s salary advance figure. The media circus flocked to Tebow’s introductory press conference where he used the term “excited” 44 times over the course of the half hour media session. It didn’t take long for a quarterback controversy to start brewing in New York with speculation growing that Tebow might replace a struggling Mark Sanchez before the 2012 season comes to a close.
2. Bye-Bye Brian
Following six middling seasons as offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer and the Jets reached a mutual parting of the ways. A source of frustration and anguish for many fans, the 38-year-old will be taking his talents to St. Louis as the Rams new offensive coordinator. Under fire for his perplexing play-calling, Schottenheimer and quarterback Mark Sanchez never seemed to be on the same wavelength. Schottenheimer’s worst moment in New York came during the fourth quarter of the 2010 AFC title game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. New York faced a 1st-and-goal from the Steelers two-yard line and failed to find the end zone; turning the ball over on downs. Gang Green’s championship hopes went by the wayside, a game that still haunts Jets fans to this day.
3. Tony’s the Boss
Part of New York’s coaching makeover, newly hired offensive coordinator Tony Sparano became one of the six new coaches to join the Jets staff this offseason. Sparano brings a new philosophy and mentality to the Big Apple as he aims to establish a physical brand of football through a ground-and-pound attack. A pioneer of the NFL’s Wildcat Offense, Sparano’s successful track record in the system bodes well for Gang Green’s new gadget quarterback. New York’s head man Rex Ryan is gaga over Sparano’s offensive blueprint, which looks to balance a strong ground game with big yardage passing plays. With all the bickering and vitriol in the Jets locker room, the former Miami Dolphins head coach is hoping to re-engage his players by establishing trust and implementing new offensive schemes.
Rick Laughland covers the New York Jets for Greenandwhitereport.com
You can follow him on Twitter @rlaughland
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