Tim Tebow will stand before the media shortly after noon today ready to get peppered with questions.
Everybody in … the circus is about to begin.
Tebowmania gets its official Jets kickoff today when the team introduces the most famous backup quarterback in NFL history at a press conference at its headquarters in Florham Park.
This is going to be a press conference like nothing the Jets have ever seen. It is being held inside the team’s fieldhouse, its indoor practice facility, because that is the only place space in the facility large enough to hold all of the media.
The press conference has people inside and outside the organization shaking their heads. But there is a strong media demand for Tebow, and the Jets are catering to that.
“While the demand may be different, our approach as an organization is the same,” senior director of media relations Bruce Speight said. “We gauge the level of interest from the media and provide accommodations that are respectful and appropriate and allow them to perform their jobs to the best of their ability.”
The Jets are doing their best to downplay the event. Tebow won’t even be holding up his jersey, as is usually done at an introductory press conference. No matter how hard they try, though, the Jets can’t minimize how large this will be.
This will likely rival the press conference the Yankees held for Hideki Matsui in 2002 at the Marriott Marquis, which more than 300 media members attended.
It is much different than anything the Jets have had. Mark Sanchez was introduced in the normal media room after he was drafted. Rex Ryan’s introductory press conference was held in the team’s auditorium. Brett Favre probably would have drawn a similar crowd, except his press conference was hastily called and before a preseason game in Cleveland.
The event is not open to the public, but will be carried live on ESPN, SNY and the NFL Network.
Ryan, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and owner Woody Johnson will not be there today because they are at the league meetings in Florida.
That leaves Tebow to answer all of the questions.
Here are the five biggest ones he must answer today:
1. Did you choose the Jets over the Jaguars?
Tebow said he had no influence on where he was traded during a conference call Wednesday night. But Broncos VP John Elway contradicted him a day later when he told a Denver radio station that Tebow was consulted throughout the trade process.
Sources said Tebow preferred the Jets because he felt they truly wanted him. Tebow does not want to offend his hometown of Jacksonville, but either he is lying or Elway is.
2. Do you hope to start?
How will Tebow answer this? If he says yes, we’ve got a quarterback controversy. If he says no, what does that say about his competitive fire? He will surely lean on some version of “whatever helps the team.” But he is going to be pressed repeatedly on this topic.
3. Do you worry about the effect your popularity could have on the team?
Jets players are privately already bracing for what comes with Tebow. No one blames Tebow. Many said they admire him as a player. But they know there will be a media circus that follows him. Tebow must address how he can ease this burden on his teammates and not let it become a distraction.
4. What have you done to improve as a passer since the end of the season?
A football question! Tebow has been working with UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone (a former Jets assistant under Eric Mangini) on his throwing mechanics. Tebow needs to address exactly how much better he feels he can be and if he feels the criticism of his passing is valid.
5. Do you think backup quarterbacks should have press conferences?
The fact Tebow is having this event today rubs a lot of people the wrong way. The Jets say they are just responding to media demand. Tebow likely had little to do with the planning of the event. But, is he embarrassed by this?