Jets left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson admitted surprise that his team acquired Tim Tebow this offseason, but had kind words for quarterback Mark Sanchez, and left little doubt who was in charge.
Ferguson told WFAN’s Joe and Evan (via SportsRadioInterviews.com) that he was “taken aback” when they traded for Tebow.
“Like ‘Wow,’ nobody knew what to expect,” Ferguson said. “But I met with the man and he’s got a good head on his shoulders and he’s real passionate.
“I think we’ll have to wait and see until the season because not only will it be exciting to see what does happen, but it’s going to make a lot of other teams really have to second guess what we’ll be doing because we have the advantage of having great quarterbacks and now we have the opportunity to do what we want with what we have.”
Asked if minicamp felt like a normal starter-backup relationship, Ferguson described things as “very normal.”
“Mark was playing ball and Tebow had the opportunity to run with the No.2s,” he said. “I don’t feel that feeling of conflict was there during that period of time. I think that feeling is more outside in than inside out. I think right now we are in a good place.”
That place is clearly with Sanchez at the front of the line, as Ferguson said the incumbent quarterback has stood out.
“I think Mark is a great leader. I follow Mark,” he said. “Any guy who can play that quarterback role has to be strong and I think he demonstrates a lot of great qualities and there’s a lot of guys in that locker room.
“Sometimes young guys too have that natural leadership skill. I think it’s cool the fact that we’re in this position now where guys do have to step up whether it be myself or other guys who have been in the league because that is the only way this team is going to continue to grow.”
And while some aren’t impressed with either Jets passer, Ferguson’s saying all the right things at the moment, and that can only help once the season start and the real heat is applied.