Tim Tebow is gone but the questions about his curious one-year stint with the Jets continue a day after his release.

Acquired in a trade with the Broncos last March, Tebow spent one puzzling year with the Jets where he threw just eight passes and was involved just a handful of times in each game. Tebow’s tenure started with a full press conference attended by 150 members of the media and ended ingloriously with a 125-word press release announcing his release on Monday.

On Tuesday in a conference call with season-ticket holders, general manager John Idzik said Tebow was never asked to switch positions.

“We really view Tim as a quarterback here. We didn’t contemplate moving him around,” Idzik said on the call. “When we viewed him on the roster, we viewed him with respect to the other quarterbacks we have.”

Immediately after the trade, head coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum said Tebow was coming in to back up incumbent starter Mark Sanchez and to be used in a variety of different roles.

This line from Jets management was supposed to quell any talk of a quarterback competition but instead created an issue in the team’s locker room.

One offensive starter on the 2012 team spoke to Metro New York about the fallout of the Tebow trade last season. The starter spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the nature of the remarks.

“It’s done, it’s over, but it wasn’t good last year. What happened was that Mark became entitled because he was the only player on the roster who didn’t fight for his job,” the player said. “You’ve got this situation where the player brought in to be the backup can’t win the starting job so what does that mean for the starter? It means he’s the starter no matter what goes on and all that. I’m not saying Mark dogged it out there but it created this sort of entitlement mentality and Mark had his job no matter what. Then you got a Tim Tebow who outworked everyone and couldn’t get a fair shot. They made a mistake by not making this an open thing. I don’t think they meant to but making Tebow the immediate backup hurt the whole team. It made Mark protected in his role.

“I think last year, the coaches and GM were scared that Tebow might come in and show-up Mark. If Tebow was active in Week 15 and not [backup quarterback] Greg [McElroy] then I don’t think they pull Sanchez from that game.”

“You then have a bunch of his teammates saying, ‘Mark is our guy.’ Well, do they say that for an offensive lineman who isn’t doing well or a tight end or a receiver? No, the best man plays no matter what. I’m not saying Tim was better than Mark, but he wasn’t given even a look last year. I think they had to release him just to be rid of the negativity. Mark knew that no matter how bad he was, Tebow wasn’t going to play over him. If his last name was Davis or Jones or Smith and not Tebow, would he then have had a shot?”

Even with the release of Tebow, the Jets still have five quarterbacks on their roster. Sanchez and McElroy return and the team signed veteran quarterback David Garrard this offseason as a free agent. They also drafted West Virginia’s Geno Smith in the second round last week and brought in Matt Simms to compete for a role as well.

“We have five quarterbacks on our roster; we’ll let them compete. We got a rookie minicamp coming up so we’ll be able to see a few of them throw and then we’ll take it day-to-day,” Idzik said on the call. “We’ll see how it goes going forward. We probably won’t be able to take five to camp but again we’ll let it play out.”

Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer for all your offseason news.

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The year-long experiment is finally over.

The Jets have released backup quarterback Tim Tebow. The New York Post reports Tebow was told by general manager John Idzik and head coach Rex Ryan Monday morning at the team facility.

“We have a great deal of respect for Tim Tebow,” head coach Rex Ryan said in a statement. “Unfortunately, things did not work out the way we all had hoped. Tim is an extremely hard worker, evident by the shape he came back in this offseason. We wish him the best moving forward.”

Tebow’s release brings to an end a trade which never made much sense in the first place. Tebow was acquired from Denver in March 2012 for a fourth-round draft pick and a swap of sixth- and seventh-round picks. Almost right away the move incited controversy on both sides. Tebow had gained fame in Denver for bursting onto the scene and leading the Broncos to a playoff win.

The evangelical Christian already developed a cult following in his time at the University of Florida, where he won two national titles and a Heisman trophy.

But his NFL abilities were questioned from the start. Denver head coach Josh McDaniels staked his future on drafting Tebow in the first round at 25th overall in 2010. But when former great John Elway took over as team president, he never seemed enamored with the quarterback’s unique skillset and pulled the trade with the Jets despite the successful 2011 season.

From the start in New York his role was hazy. The team held a solo news conference to introduce Tebow, but when camp opened in the fall the coaching staff consistently reiterated Mark Sanchez, who had received a contract extension weeks before the trade, would be the starter.

The team, including new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, said it would use Tebow extensively in Wildcat packages and in the red zone.

When the season began, none of that materialized. And even when Sanchez sputtered late in the season, Greg McElroy got the start when Sanchez was benched. It was speculated the trade was championed by owner Woody Johnson while the coaching staff never wanted the addition.

Idzik would never outright say the team was looking to trade Tebow, but it was widely reported. He did not include Tebow in the quarterback competition in a press conference prior to the draft. With Jacksonville — Tebow’s hometown, where he enjoys massive popularity — saying it had no interest in Tebow, the market seemed all but nonexistent.

The NFL Draft ended on Saturday, and with the selection of West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith in the second round, Tebow was released.

Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.

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It is the end of the “Sanchise.”

After using both of their first-round picks Thursday night on the defensive side of the ball, the Jets addressed their most pressing need by going after offense, taking quarterback Geno Smith with the No. 39 overall selection. It likely spells the beginning of the end for incumbent starter Mark Sanchez, who was taken in the first round four years ago and was supposed to be the face of the franchise.

Smith joins free agent signee David Garrard not to mention Tim Tebow and Greg McElroy as quarterbacks on the roster.

Smith was a popular Top-10 pick in most mock drafts but fell out of the first round as teams were uncertain about his ability to consistently make throws along with questions about his technique.

“I’m going to come in with the right mentality. I’m going to come in and work,” Smith said. “I’m going to make sure that I put my best foot forward. I’m going to be dedicated and try to come in and be a leader and help my team win games.”

What the move does is likely begin the death knell for Sanchez, who the Jets took No. 5 overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. Sanchez led the Jets to consecutive AFC Championship games his first two years in the league but the Jets have missed the playoffs the past two seasons.

Smith will now be the face of the franchise and in all likelihood will be anointed the Jets’ latest savior.

During his senior season at West Virginia, Smith completed 369-of-518 passes for 4,205 yards with 42 touchdowns and six interceptions. But it wasn’t all pretty. After a 5-0 start, the Mountaineers fell apart, losing five of their last seven games and then were badly beaten by Syracuse at the New Era Pinstripe Bowl.

The Jets had the No. 30 total offense last season, averaging just 299.2 yards per game under Sanchez. They struggled in the passing game and with offseason losses tight end Dustin Keller and running back Shonn Greene, the team Smith joins will be lacking star power and playmakers, at least this season.

In early April, Smith met with the Jets over a two-day period but he said he had no idea he would be taken in the second round. He sees himself as a franchise quarterback.

“I do believe so, for a number of reasons. The main thing is that I’m going to come into practice; I’m going to come into work. I’m going to compete daily. I’m going to also do my best to better teammates in order for us to win a Super Bowl,” Smith said.

“It’s not about qualities. I think it’s up to me to continue to improve daily. My game is not based on one single thing, but I think it is based on a number of things. As long as I continue to improve and progress, I think I’ll be fine.”

Winters goes in third round

It wasn’t the franchise-shaking move the Jets made with Smith, but third-round pick Brian Winters of Kent State could be a very solid addition to the team.

The theme of the second day of the draft for the Jets was offense, taking their quarterback of the future in the second round and then adding a guard in Winters with the No. 72 pick, a move that solidifies their offensive line. Winters started 49 games for the Golden Flashes all as a tackle. Winters isn’t viewed as a lineman with great technique, but instead as a physical mauler. He is projected to move to guard.

In all likelihood, Winters will step right into a starting position with the Jets, who lost starters Brandon Moore and Matt Slauson this offseason. CBSSports.com had him as a second-round grade and the No. 5 guard in the draft.

“I couldn’t ask to step into a better situation,” Winters said in a conference call with the media.

Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.

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This much is certain: Tim Tebow is still on the Jets roster. But he may or may not be a part of the quarterback competition moving forward.

Tebow remains the most intriguing piece on the Jets’ roster despite his rare appearances on the field last season. Acquired last March in a trade with Denver, Tebow failed to live up to the hype and ended up on the outside of the Jets’ lackluster quarterback competition.

It looks like little has changed in that regard, per general manager John Idzik, who refused to include Tebow among those challenging Mark Sanchez for the starting job.

“I’m not saying he is, I’m not saying he isn’t. I’m just saying let’s let things play out,” Idzik said yesterday.

Idzik said “we have to let things play out and develop” with regard to Tebow’s future with the team. Reports have the Jets looking to trade Tebow before the NFL Draft.

“He’s a New York Jet, it shouldn’t be surprising. He’s a Jet and we’ve gone through some change here,” Idzik said. “That’s what I mean by letting things play out.”

Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.

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Exactly one year ago, the Jets traded for Tim Tebow, a shocking move that addressed none of their needs but instantly created controversy and turmoil.

The fact that wide receiver Jeremy Kerley had more passing yards than Tim Tebow last year tells you everything you need to know about the NFL’s most scrutinized quarterback’s one, and likely only, year in New York. We didn’t learn much about Tebow on the field last season; the body of his work was so small as to make an assessment impossible, but we learned his place isn’t here with the Jets.

He came with much fanfare and hype, a standing room-only press conference for a player who was only going to be a backup. The Jets were going to revolutionize football, we were told, and the offense was going to utilize the skillset of Tebow, as was the special-teams unit with his role as a personal punt protector. He was set to take over Madison Avenue as the country’s most prominent evangelical Christian.

Instead, he ended up being the biggest distraction in the history of the game and through no fault of his own the Jets came crashing down like the walls of Jericho.

Just a couple weeks earlier, the team had given quarterback Mark Sanchez what amounted to a five-year contract extension to be their starting quarterback and the face of the franchise. Then within that very month they traded for Tebow.

To utilize Tebow properly — and he can be a starting quarterback in the NFL — the offense needs to be geared around his skillset. He won’t thrive in a conventional offense, and he won’t succeed as a pocket passer. But the Jets also learned the hard way he won’t do well as a gimmick.

Where the Jets went wrong with Tebow was in not letting him compete. Throughout his career, there were wobbly passes and plenty of moments of the cringe worthy variety, but Tebow somehow always seemed to get the job done, especially in big moments. It doesn’t mean he would have won the starting job or beaten out Sanchez, but the Jets doomed him from the start by limiting his role and anointing him as just a backup.

Now with a new general manager, the Jets better learn from this mistake, even as they prepare to move on from Tebow.

In all likelihood, there will be no second coming of Tebow in New York with his days numbered with the Jets. He is beaten, battered and bruised, and his already maligned reputation as a quarterback only got worse from his time in New York.

Tebow will likely be cut at some point in the next month or two and a forward-thinking NFL general manager will sign him to a contract. Tebow will go in and compete and push for the starting job wherever he signs — just like he should have been allowed to do with the Jets.

Follow Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer

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Let it be known that I am always pro embarrassing Tim Tebow.

So I was overjoyed on Sunday to see the Arena Football League’s Orlando Predators’ publicity stunt offering Tebow a contract with the team.

Tebow is, by the way, still under contract with the Jets and scheduled to make $2 million this upcoming season. None of that takes away any of my Tebow-shaming enjoyment.

If the Jets do release Tebow as has been rumored, it doesn’t seem as though anyone in the league would be interested. The Jaguars were the obvious answer due to Jacksonville, Fla. being his hometown and the team’s lack of faith in Blaine Gabbert. But their GM already said this offseason they didn’t plan to pursue Tebow.

The Jets have the worst QB situation in the league and they don’t want him. So who possibly would?

Well, the Predators are waiting.

“Tim would certainly want to first exhaust his opportunities in the NFL, but we’d love to have him,” Predators owner Brett Bouchy told the Orlando Sentinel. “I think he would definitely improve as a quarterback in our league.”

Boom! That’s not a joke offer; that’s an actual offer. Hilarious.

This all must be very tough on Kyle Rowley. … He’s the Predators starting QB. … Yes, I had to look that up.

“Whenever Tim is willing,” Bouchy said, “we have a contract waiting for him to sign.”

Stop it! You’re going to make me bust my gut laughing.

Actually, some other AFL team should offer Mark Sanchez a deal. I could see a tremendous rivalry developing. I’d tune in to see who could throw the most picked-off dying quails.

Though, head coach Rex Ryan said today both quarterbacks will be involved in the QB competition this fall. So don’t worry, whenever an AFL team steps up to make a fool of itself, the Jets will always one-up them.

Follow Metro National Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports. He would also like to offer his services to Orlando.

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There will be competition for the Jets starting quarterback spot, even if the much-maligned incumbent starter Mark Sanchez seems to have the inside track.

Speaking to the media for the first time since their mid-January hiring, the Jets made their three new coordinators available to the media on Monday via a conference call. But it was offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg who stole the show. The former Eagles coordinator now inherits an offense devoid of playmakers at receiver, has no true No. 1 running back and might be losing two starters on the offensive line.

And arguably the worst starter in the league returns under center.

“Certainly, you like to have competition at every position, including the quarterback spot,” Mornhinweg said. “Mark will probably have just a little bit of a leg up, it would appear. But I’d like to have competition at that position as well as all the positions.”

Figuring out Sanchez’s strengths is going to be a severe challenge.

“Offensively, I’ll play to a player’s strength. Mark has many strengths, everybody has strengths and weaknesses. Just talking in general about a player, try to play to a player’s strength and trying to get the weaknesses a little better,” Mornhinweg said. “Certainly put him in a position where his strengths will show. I do that in all positions but certainly the quarterback spot.”

It was once thought that Sanchez would develop into a star player in the NFL, especially after leading the Jets to consecutive AFC Championship games in his first two seasons in the league. But last year, the Jets finished 6-10 due in large part to their quarterback’s play.

Sanchez’s 18 interceptions and just 13 touchdowns certainly brings to question what his future in New York might look like, despite being the No. 5 selection in the 2009 NFL Draft.

“I’m not sure that that’s a term that he needs to be ‘fixed.’ Mark’s got a lot of strengths, he’s played at a high level and it’s our job to get him to play at a high level on a consistent basis,” Mornhinweg said. “Certainly competition at all spots and certainly at that spot. Competition makes everyone better.”

Jets notes

» Mornhinweg and the little-used Tim Tebow have spoken since his hiring.

“I’ve talked to Tim and he’s part of this football team. I’m excited to coach all of our players, including Tim. We had a long discussion and some thoughts there. I would like to keep those conversations between a player and coach sort of private. We certainly had a discussion,” Mornhinweg said. “He got my thoughts on the situation and he has some thoughts as well. If he’s on this football team, which he is right now, then I would do it a certain way and try to utilize all of our players that can help us win a football game.”

» Defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman was also on the call and said he is uncertain if he will be calling the defense or if that will remain the job of head coach Rex Ryan.

“It doesn’t really matter to me who calls it. If Rex wants to call it, that’s fine. I will have my input, whose got the call isn’t important. It is how we execute the call out on the field — those things are important to me. If that’s what Rex wants, that’s what it’s going to be,” Thurman said.

Previously, Thurman had served as the Jets secondary coach and is seen as a “player’s coach.” He has never before served as a defensive coordinator.

» Currently, the Jets’ 3-4 scheme has only one returning starter at linebacker and Thurman isn’t sure if the numbers will necessitate a switch to the 4-3. He said the decision “will always be personnel based.” The only returning starter at linebacker right now for the Jets is David Harris.

“In terms of where we’re at right now, we can’t really answer that. We have to go through the free agency period; we have to go through the draft,” Thurman said. “We’ll let our personnel dictate.”

» Thurman also didn’t know much about the status of Darrelle Revis, the star cornerback who is at the center of trade talks. “I don’t really have a comment. I think our GM, our head coach, people above me are going to make that decision,” Thurman said.

» Special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica replaces the legendary coach Mike Westhoff this year but still plans on staying in communication with the man who was at one point his boss and mentor. Whether free agent kicker Nick Folk returns to the Jets, remains to be seen.

“Nick’s done a lot of great things for us,” Kotwica said. “I don’t know how things are going to shake out in the future.”

Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer for all your offseason news.

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Just about the only ones not talking about the Jets pursuing trade options with cornerback Darrelle Revis are the Jets themselves.

On Monday afternoon, in a conference call with season ticket holders, general manager John Idzik and head coach Rex Ryan downplayed any talk of Revis being traded. While neither Idzik nor Ryan would come out and say Revis is on the trading block, neither one quashed the rumors dead.

Ryan came the closest when defending his statements several weeks ago when he said he wasn’t aware of the organization wanting to trade Revis.

“I would stand firm saying there was no truth to that,” Ryan said on the call. “I made the comments I made because that’s what I believe to be the truth.”

The media was allowed to listen to the call but the only ones allowed to ask questions were season ticket holders.

Idzik went so far as to praise Revis, considered the Jets’ best player and one of the best defensive players in the league over the past four seasons. He also said Revis’s rehabilitation from a Week 3 knee injury remains ahead of schedule.

Given the Jets’ tight salary cap constraints and since their defense still finished with the No. 2 pass defense in the league, it makes sense Idzik would at least be open to offers for his best player.

“Suffice it to say, Darrelle Revis is a New York Jet and we’re very, very happy to have him as a New York Jet,” Idzik said. “Our focus is purely on getting him better. He sustained a pretty significant injury and he’s been busting his tail on his rehab. We’re monitoring that closely, and by his doctors’ account he’s doing very well. He’s ahead of schedule.”

In addition, the status of Tim Tebow is still very much up in the air. Reports have indicated that the Jets are looking to trade the underutilized Tebow before they would consider releasing him outright. Idzik didn’t commit to much of a future for Tebow with the Jets, but didn’t shove No. 15 out the door either.

“Tim, as you know, is currently on our roster. What we’re doing is we’re trying to increase competition at that position and at positions across the board,” Idzik said. “We’re going to let the competition play out, we’re going to see who we’re able to bring on board and I think that’ll be healthy for all concerned, including Tim.”

Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer for all your offseason news on Gang Green.

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Apparently, Jets quarterback Tim Tebow is now as popular with evangelical Christians as he was with his team’s offensive coordinator last year.

Tebow, arguably the nation’s most prominent evangelical athlete, withdrew from speaking at First Baptist Church in Dallas on April 28 due to pressure regarding some of the church’s stances on hot-button issues of the day. Dr. Robert Jeffress, the senior pastor of the church, has not shied away from addressing issues such as abortion and homosexuality from a Biblical worldview.

Speaking to his congregation this past Sunday for the first time since Tebow withdrew from the engagement, Jeffress was greeted with a standing ovation after what he said “has been a wild week, it really has been, but it’s been a great week.” He cited prominent evangelical leaders who had lent him support in the wake of Tebow’s defection, including president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Al Mohler in addition to Dr. James Dobson, the former founder of Focus on the Family.

Then without mentioning the name of Tebow, Jeffress took a shot at the Jets quarterback.

“I am grateful for men of God like these who are willing to stand up and act like men rather than wimping out when it gets a little controversial and an inconvenient thing to stand for the truth,” Jeffress said. “God bless men like that.”

It was a week of attention for Jeffress, who had several national television appearances in light of Tebow’s decision to withdraw from the speaking engagement. While he never mentioned the Jets quarterback by name, Jeffress opened his sermon with roughly 10 minutes dedicated to the past week and the falling out from Tebow choosing to stand on the sidelines and cave into the public pressure.

In closing, Jeffress again made his feelings clear with regards to Tebow’s decision, leading to another standing ovation from his congregation.

“I had a little revival and recommitment in my life this week,” Jeffress said. “I recommitted to God and to this congregation that as long as I’m the pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas we’re not going to kneel before the altar of political correctness and convenience.”

Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.

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A man in the middle of a manhunt hopes that Tim Tebow can escape his quarterback controversy with the Jets.

Christopher Dorner, the former Los Angeles police officer suspected of going on a deadly shooting rampage early on Thursday morning, posted a manifesto online that was replete with political references and threats. Oddly enough, it also included a mention of Tebow, himself a somewhat controversial figure.

The Jets acquired Tebow last March and the unconventional quarterback was largely underused, appearing largely as a gimmick and on special teams. He was overlooked late last season in favor of Greg McElroy when starter Mark Sanchez was benched.

Dorner, who said he was killing to clear his name, wrote in his manifesto about the Jets backup quarterback, even making predictions about his future on the field:

“Tebow, I really wanted to see you take charge of an offense again and the game. You are not a good QB by todays standards, but you are a great football player who knows how to lead a team and WIN. You will be ‘Tebowing’ when you reach your next team. I have faith in you. Get out of that circus they call the Jets and away from the reality TV star, Rex Ryan, and Mark Rapist Sanchez.”

Prior to being traded to the Jets, Tebow became a national sensation for leading the Broncos to the AFC West title last year and spearheading a dramatic opening round win in the playoffs. He has been the subject of trade rumors this past offseason and does not seem to be a part of the Jets’ plans moving forward although he might be untradeable.

The reference to Sanchez as a “rapist” dates back to the quarterback’s time at USC when he was accused of sexual assault of a female enrolled in the school. The charges were eventually dropped.

Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.

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Jets fans will have to live with Tim Tebow on their roster for at least a little longer than they might like.

ESPN reports the team will not release Tebow prior to the beginning of the trade window on March 12, and will hope to unload him after that day. The problem for the Jets is that there doesn’t appear to be much of a trade market for the quarter-back. New Jaguars GM David Caldwell said last month that he “can’t imagine a scenario” in which his team would trade for Tebow.

He would likely command only a mid- to late-round draft pick. If released, the cap hit would be about $3 million.

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“Brad had a specific vision for this ring, which he realized over a yearlong collaboration with Robert [Procop],” says the jeweler in a statement. “He wanted every aspect of it to be perfect, so Robert was able to locate a diamond of the finest quality and cut it to an exact custom size and shape to suite Angelina’s hand.”

Though she describes her split from ex-husband Ryan Reynolds as “comically amicable,” Scarlett Johansson admits she’s still reeling from her divorce. “Of course it’s horrible. It was devastating. It really throws you,” she tells Vogue. ‘You think that your life is going to be one way, and then, for various reasons or whatever, it doesn’t work out.” Johansson also acknowledges her post-divorce relationship with Sean Penn for the first time, saying, “We spent time together, yeah. I never put a title on it, really, but we were seeing each other.”

Less than two weeks after being arrested for driving under the influence after hitting up the L.A. club scene, Amanda Bynes was back out partying — and behind the wheel, according to TMZ. The actress was spotted driving herself to the Chateau Marmont and nightclub Greystone Manor, where she was spotted texting behind the wheel before backing her car up onto a curb.

Jada Pinkett Smith isn’t bothered by the tabloid reports of trouble in her marriage to Will Smith — or at least she isn’t surprised by them. “Every year, one celebrity couple is under the microscope. This year, unluckily, it’s us. I almost want to say that we should have been expecting it,” she tells Gala magazine. “Will and I know the truth. We’re waiting peacefully for the storm to blow over.”

A 30-year-old man has been arrested for trespassing at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ New York-area mansion, where he reportedly ate the hip-hop mogul’s food and tried on some of his clothes, according to Hollyscoop. Quamine Taylor entered the vacant house through an unlocked basement door and was there for 24 hours before tripping an alarm. But when police and an alarm company representative showed up, Taylor was able to convince them he had permission to be there. It wasn’t until a caretaker arrived and called the police back that Taylor was arrested. Combs’ rep had no comment.

Eligible bachelor and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow has been linked to a number of famous women in the press, from Taylor Swift to Katy Perry, but he’s not bothered by the gossip. “It’s funny, because half the rumors, I’ve never even met the people,” he says in an interview with ‘Good Morning America.’ “I’m sure they would be lovely.”

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“Win or lose, it is most important that I honor my Lord and savior Jesus Christ,” Tim Tebow said as he talked with Joe Champion, pastor of the Celebration Church in Georgetown, about 15 miles north of Austin.

An adoring crowd of 15,000 to 20,000 at the outdoor service spilled across a hill overlooking Interstate 35, enjoying sunny skies and cool breezes and relishing spending Easter Sunday with the most outspoken Christian in American sports.

“Getting up at 3 a.m. to head to church,” Celebration Church volunteer Jeremiah Cheney said on Twitter early today.

He was far from alone. Crowds started gathering at the three designated parking locations before dawn for the 10 a.m. event.

Church officials said they used 90 buses to shuttle the crowd to the hillside, and some 300 portable outdoor toilets were on hand to serve their more worldly needs.

Champion said the high-profile event happened almost by accident. The then-Denver Broncos quarterback – who was recently traded to the New York Jets – called him several weeks ago, suggesting he was interested in speaking to his congregation.

“I said, ‘What about Easter?’” Champion recalled. “His people replied that Easter might work, and it snowballed from there. It really went viral.”

Tebow may have been drawn to Celebration Church by his own football background, Champion said. Champion was a star offensive lineman at Louisiana State University, and his father was a long-time NFL assistant coach.

Champion said he spoke to the football team at the University of Florida, Tebow’s alma mater, last fall.

Rather than delivering a traditional sermon, Tebow chatted with Champion on stage for about twenty minutes, discussing the importance of athletes being role models, and his own struggle with faith.

“I don’t think I was the first athlete to get down on one knee and pray,” he said in a reference to “Tebow-ing,” the practice of striking a pose on one knee to celebrate an accomplishment – a viral Internet sensation celebrated from YouTube to the Daily Show to Tosh.O.

Champion said it was entirely appropriate for a professional football player to speak to the Christian faithful on Easter Sunday. “This is our Super Bowl,” he told KVUE television in Austin. “Easter is the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which we celebrate in our faith.”

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Since Justin Theroux broke up with his girlfriend of 14 years shortly before getting together with Jennifer Aniston, the former “Friends” star has been dodging claims that she’s a home-wrecker, but Aniston insists she and Theroux — who met while filming “Wanderlust” — didn’t get together until later. “Nothing happened on that movie,” she tells GQ magazine. “It’s a rumor — it’s the easy rumor, but nothing happened. We were just friends.” Speaking of rumors, Aniston continues to use her current press tour to clear up a few stories floating around about her. “I’m not having triplets. Not having twins. Nor am I having one baby. I did not elope,” she tells the magazine. “The one time I do say, ‘Yes! I’m pregnant!’ they’ll be like, ‘Pfft. Right.’”

Tim Tebow insists that he and Katy Perry are not dating — much to the dismay of Perry’s mother. “No, there’s not” any truth to the hookup rumors, Tebow tells Hollyscoop. “I’m just having fun and enjoying my life, trying to enjoy every moment and not get too caught up in any of the hype.”

Victoria Beckham is striking back at critics who have said she’s been looking miserable lately. “Look, if people want to say I’m miserable then so be it,” Beckham tells the Sunday Mirror, explaining that she’s just exhausted from the combination of having new baby girl Harper to care for and a fashion line to oversee. “And then people want to say I look crap. Well, I’m a working mum, so give me a break. I’d like there to be a break but I very much doubt it’s going to happen any time soon. When Harper sleeps that will be my break.”

After keeping mum for three years, Minnie Driver has revealed the identity of the father of her son, Henry, saying it was a writer on “the Riches,” her former TV series. “He’s not famous,” Driver tells the Observer — without actually naming the man. “I don’t need to protect him anymore. He can fend for himself. He’s a grownup. We weren’t together and he wasn’t directly in the business so I chose to protect him and not have a rain of publicity.” As for how things are now between Driver and Henry’s father? “Is he a good dad? Sort of. He’s figuring it out,” she says. “I mean, he hasn’t been that involved — his choice. But he is now.”

Charlie Sheen clearly had second thoughts about his recent harsh words about Ashton Kutcher and the new season of “Two and a Half Men,” as he’s issued an apology to his sitcom replacement — via TMZ, of course. “Dear Ashton. My bad. I was disrespectful to a man doing his best,” Sheen writes. “I got excited and threw you into the crossfire, but the rest of my statement I stand behind. You however, deserve better. Safety in your travels sir.” The part of his previous tirade that he’s not apologizing for? “I’m tired of pretending the show doesn’t suck,” he said, adding that Kutcher is “saddled with bad writing.”

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On the one hand, you hate that such a stupid throwaway gesture is distracting from such a bangin’ performance by Madonna (with assists by Cee Lo Green, Nicki Minaj, LMFAO and a man who resembled Richard Simmons on a tight rope), and you know all of this attention is exactly what the British hip-hop star wanted. But why would she flip it in the first place? Who was it directed toward? Was it was pre-approved by Madonna? Or just her own secret plan? If M.I.A. came up with that bit of “choreography” on her own, that’s really biting the hand that feeds (and exploits you just a little bit to feel more relevant in today’s musical climate). I find the whole thing immature. Like: You’re so tough, M.I.A. Way to stick it to the man … who is paying you millions to appear on TV sets in 100 million homes. You must be so angry!

On the other hand, after everything edgy Madonna has done in her life, why is everyone in an uproar about one little middle finger?

Karl on M.I.A. and her middle finger
“Nowadays people give the middle finger quite quickly – it’s not the best behavior. Everybody does that, what’s new about that? It’s just become a bad habit.”

NBC vs. NFL
   
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement that NBC was to blame for airing the offending finger. “There was a failure in NBC’s delay system. The gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing, and we apologize to our fans,” he said. Meanwhile, NBC sports spokesman Christopher McCloskey shifted the blame back, saying, “The NFL hired the talent and produced the halftime show. Our system was late to obscure the inappropriate gesture, and we apologize to our viewers.”

Katy Perry … and Tim Tebow?

Katy Perry made her first U.S. concert appearance since husband Russell Brand filed for divorce, playing a pre-Super Bowl party in Indianapolis, according to People magazine. And while she made no mention of Brand, she did apparently have another guy on her mind: “This one goes out to Tim Tebow,” she said before playing her song “Peacock.” It was previously reported that Perry’s religious parents were eager to set their newly single daughter up with the football player because “above all, he’s a good Christian.” If you need a rebound who is the exact opposite of your soon-to-be ex-husband, Tim Tebow is probably it.

Follow her on Twitter @DorothyatMetro.

The post The aftermath of the Super finger appeared first on Metro.us.

On the one hand, you hate that such a stupid throwaway gesture is distracting from such a bangin’ performance by Madonna (with assists by Cee Lo Green, Nicki Minaj, LMFAO and a man who resembled Richard Simmons on a tight rope), and you know all of this attention is exactly what the British hip-hop star wanted. But why would she flip it in the first place? Who was it directed toward? Was it was pre-approved by Madonna? Or just her own secret plan? If M.I.A. came up with that bit of “choreography” on her own, that’s really biting the hand that feeds (and exploits you just a little bit to feel more relevant in today’s musical climate). I find the whole thing immature. Like: You’re so tough, M.I.A. Way to stick it to the man … who is paying you millions to appear on TV sets in 100 million homes. You must be so angry!

On the other hand, after everything edgy Madonna has done in her life, why is everyone in an uproar about one little middle finger?

Karl on M.I.A. and her middle finger
“Nowadays people give the middle finger quite quickly – it’s not the best behavior. Everybody does that, what’s new about that? It’s just become a bad habit.”

NBC vs. NFL
   
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement that NBC was to blame for airing the offending finger. “There was a failure in NBC’s delay system. The gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing, and we apologize to our fans,” he said. Meanwhile, NBC sports spokesman Christopher McCloskey shifted the blame back, saying, “The NFL hired the talent and produced the halftime show. Our system was late to obscure the inappropriate gesture, and we apologize to our viewers.”

Katy Perry … and Tim Tebow?

Katy Perry made her first U.S. concert appearance since husband Russell Brand filed for divorce, playing a pre-Super Bowl party in Indianapolis, according to People magazine. And while she made no mention of Brand, she did apparently have another guy on her mind: “This one goes out to Tim Tebow,” she said before playing her song “Peacock.” It was previously reported that Perry’s religious parents were eager to set their newly single daughter up with the football player because “above all, he’s a good Christian.” If you need a rebound who is the exact opposite of your soon-to-be ex-husband, Tim Tebow is probably it.

For more gossip news visit Dorothy Robinson’s Word blog. Follow her on Twitter @DorothyatMetro. 

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Katy Perry made her first U.S. concert appearance since husband Russell Brand filed for divorce, playing a pre-Super Bowl party in Indianapolis, according to People magazine. And while she made no mention of Brand, she did apparently have another guy on her mind: “This one goes out to Tim Tebow,” she said before playing her song “Peacock.” It was previously reported that Perry’s religious parents were eager to set their newly single daughter up with the football player because “above all, he’s a good Christian.”

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux’s romance appears to be going strong, as the pair were spotted over the weekend sharing a “snugly” dinner at the Sunset Tower in Beverly Hills. “They looked really happy,” a source tells People magazine. “They were so cute, and when they were walking out he put his arm around her.” Aniston’s reps haven’t commented on earlier reports that she’s pregnant with Theroux’s child.

“American Idol” runner-up Adam Lambert has confirmed he is joining the band Queen, taking over for the late Freddie Mercury, who died of AIDS-related illness more than 20 years ago, according to the Daily Star. “The intention is to pay tribute to Freddie and the band by singing some f—ing great songs,” Lambert says. “It’s to keep the music alive for the fans and give it an energy that Freddie would have been proud of. There’s no intention in my mind of replacing Freddie. That’s impossible.”

Woody Harrelson got off on the wrong foot with some online fans when he participated in an “Ask Me Anything” chat session with Web forum Reddit — but then tried to keep the conversation about his new movie, “Rampart,” and citing his time being “valuable” as the reason for the focus. “This isn’t The Tonight Show and I’m not buying your bulls—,” one chat participant snapped abck. “It was too bad you couldn’t just open up to your fans with honest answers instead of peddling your latest movie. Oh well, I’ll just assume some clueless PR person convinced you to do this (assuming this is even you).”

Reports of Eddie Murphy’s death are greatly exaggerated, his brother Charlie would like to make clear. “My brother is fine. People who start these type of rumors are sick people,” comedian Charlie Murphy posted to Twitter after a story on the Global Associated News Web site reported that the “Beverly Hills Cop” star had perished in a car crash in Australia. “It’s really astounding how low people will go for attention. Eddie Murphy is fine!” To the site’s credit, the initial report did contain the following fine print: “This story is 100% fake! This is an entertainment website, and this is a totally fake article based on zero truth and is a complete work of fiction for entertainment purposes.”

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A recent Zillow poll showed that 11 percent of adults want Tim Tebow as their neighbor. Interestingly enough, more men, 14 percent, want him as a neighbor, compared to 7 percent of women. Really, guys, is your fantasy to play a game of flag football with Denver Broncos quarterback on a sunny Sunday afternoon?

Other celebrities on the list include Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt as well as Jennifer Aniston and her beau Justin Theroux. Americans with children preferred to live next to Jolie and Pitt and their six children.

As for the worst neighbors of 2011, the list is not surprising and the reasons are obvious.

The Jersey Shore cast tops the list at 28 percent. While it’s entertaining to watch them on television once a week, no one would want loud, fist pumping guidos living next door. Charlie Sheen was in second place with 21 percent, so clearly his ‘winning’ days are over.

Most Americans, though, 42 percent, opted to not having a celebrity in their neighborhood at all.

“As a voyeuristic culture that breathlessly tracks every celebrity movement, it’s extremely surprising to see so many Americans saying they wouldn’t like to live next to any celebrity at all,” Zillow’s Amy Bohutinsky said in a statement. “We may want to watch, read and talk about celebrities, but when it comes to sharing a back fence, many Americans think it’s just too close for comfort.”

Follow Mary Ann Georgantopoulos on Twitter @marygeorgant

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But don’t expect that to last.

It is a curious phenomenon. Mark Sanchez is ripped to shreds one minute and exonerated the next, often with barely a play separating jeers from cheers – and back to jeers again. It has gotten to the point where this past Sunday, Sanchez was booed during pregame introductions by the fans, leading to safety Jim Leonhard lashing out during a radio interview earlier this week for what he saw as over the top criticism.

Unlike in Denver where Tim Tebow is built up like a deity, Jets fans build up their quarterback only to tear him down.

“I think until he wins the whole thing, he’s going to be criticized just like I’m going to be criticized until we win it,” head coach Rex Ryan said. “That’s fine. It comes with the territory.”

The Week 12 win underscores this issue as Sanchez threw four touchdowns, setting a new career high. Anyone who dared to bring up that he completed just 17 of his 35 passes in the game was quickly shunned. For two weeks leading up to the game against the Bills, Sanchez was vilified for poor performances in losses to New England and Denver.

Now, after a comeback win and a personal best in touchdown passes, Sanchez is again elevated.

Part of it is the fact that he is a quarterback in the pressure cooker that is New York, but he is also a former first-round pick and a top-five selection at that. Pressure comes with that type of status. Sanchez was instantly made the face of the franchise. Because his numbers are rather middling, the Jets and Ryan are always quick to point to Sanchez’s winning record and his 4-2 mark in the playoffs to offset questions about his development.

“Still, I love how Sanchez is. When you look at it, I always say ‘Judge quarterbacks on wins.’ But if you’re also going to break it down further than that, look at how many guys and how they play in the fourth quarter. Our quarterback plays extremely well,” Ryan said. “Still over the last two years, [he] has as many fourth-quarter comebacks as any quarterback in the league. I’ll take his four road playoff wins, as well. Mark Sanchez is not our problem. He’s one of the strengths of our team.”
 
Though he wins games and is still a young quarterback, Jets fans eager for their first Super Bowl appearance in over four decades are not only ready to anoint Sanchez their savior, they’re also ready to crucify him at the slightest slip up. Sports psychologist Dr. John Murray sees this willingness of Jets fans to build Sanchez up only to knock him down as emblematic of our society.

“I think this goes beyond the fans. The fans learn from the media how to act. Media loves controversy because it sells. Fans are exposed to that and find the contrasts both fascinating and disturbing. It gives everyone something to talk about like gossip,” Dr. Murray said. “The wilder it is the more people tune in. It also makes the fans feel that their heroes are more real, so they can be related to easier on a human level. It’s almost as if fan says ‘Yes, my hero was a great coach but he or she is now understood to be flawed like the rest of us’ and now [their] problems in life don’t seem so bad by comparison.”

Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.

The post Jets fans have made knocking Sanchez routine appeared first on Metro.us.

Revis said on Tuesday he didn’t think the read option could “work for a full season” and called the offense the “Wildcat with an option.” The only thing that doesn’t appear to be an option for Tebow is winning. The second-year quarterback is now 4-1 as a starter.

“You’re always going to have naysayers. I’ve had them since I was seven-years old, trying to play quarterback at Lakeshore. You’re always going to have them. I think that’s just part of the game. Early on at [the University of Florida] I learned to only worry about what I can control,” Tebow told the media after the game. “I’ve probably shared this with you all 20 times, but that’s my attitude, my effort and my focus every day and not worrying about everybody who tells you that you can’t because it’s probably not going to get you anywhere.”

Inside six minutes left in the game, Tebow stared at where Revis and the Jets secondary was lined up, knowing he needed a scoring drive to at least get his team into overtime. Just beyond his field of vision, 95 yards away from where he crouched under center, was the end zone. What followed, down 13-10, was another Tebow drive and another comeback.

A 12-play drive, punctuated by his 20-yard run around the left side of his line, has now firmly entrenched him as heaven-sent in Denver.

“He ended up driving on us. He did it. Tim Tebow did it,” Revis said. “He shocked me; he probably shocked a lot of people, but he did it.”

It wasn’t as much Revis and his Jets defense having to worry that they might “fall asleep” on Thursday night. No, it was more of a “sleeper hold” from Tebow on that final drive. Tebow finished 9-of-20 for 104 yards and added 68 yards rushing.

“Tebow took [their offense] for 229 total yards. I’m not surprised they got that many yards on us,” Jets head coach Rex Ryan said. “He’s a good football player and he made plays at the end of the game.”

But for Revis, Tebow’s display still didn’t wow him, even as the quarterback he targeted with his words on Tuesday dropped the Jets to 5-5, a record few would have imagined before the season began. Even as Tebow did enough for the win, Revis seemed defiant after the game when asked his opinion about the quarterback who willed his team to another improbable win.

“He’s an NFL quarterback,” Revis said. “He throws the ball and he runs the ball.”

Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.

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“What is his record?” Ryan asked. “I think if you start there, you get a good gauge of a quarterback.”

The Jets’ head coach clearly was thinking of Sanchez’s 24-16 all-time mark in the regular season and 4-2 record in the playoffs when making the statement, but after Thursday night’s comeback win by Denver, the statement rings true for Tim Tebow. Tebow once again did what Tebow does, orchestrating a win when the odds are stacked against him. This time it was a 95-yard drive when down 13-10, largely called out of an empty backfield, to get the winning touchdown against one of the most feared defenses in the league.

All week, the Jets talked about not fearing Tebow, about needing to go out there and limit the second-year quarterback’s ability to make plays. He was mocked by Darrelle Revis as a bit of a gimmick, a quarterback running the read option in the NFL. It was thought that Denver’s 3-1 record this year with Tebow as a starter was a fluke, as much the byproduct of their defense’s strong play as anything that the cherubic player under center had done.

The fact that Tebow now has a fourth win as a starter is the answer to what the Jets thought.

Now, New York is left to pick up the pieces of a game where the offense played as poorly as could be expected, special teams made mistakes and the defense broke down like a cheap import on Denver’s final drive. The Jets lacked something on Thursday night in Denver and it was nothing in their game plan or even in execution.

What they lacked was Tebow.

A player who, facing 95 yards of field inside six minutes in the fourth quarter, didn’t cast a despondent look in the huddle, but rather he got determined. He didn’t read the press clippings and didn’t remember the loudmouths on TV and radio who said he wasn’t a NFL quarterback. Tebow didn’t buy a single mocking word Revis directed at him. Instead, he responded the one way he knows how.

Tim Tebow won a football game.

And as he stooped in prayer along the sidelines after his 20-yard touchdown that broke tackles and the hearts of millions in New York, the true greatness of Tebow emerged. He is a quarterback who steps up when he is needed most. It isn’t about histrionics or the lure of the spotlight, it is simply about winning.

That is something the Jets can’t seem to figure out this year.

There was no Tebow on the field for the green and white on Thursday night. The Jets, with a collection of All-Pro talent on both sides of the ball, couldn’t find what it takes deep inside to gut out the win. The game was theirs for the taking as they held a 13-10 lead until Tebow’s game-winning touchdown inside the game’s final moments. They could have been 6-4.

They should have been 6-4. The Jets seemed to do enough to get this win and lift themselves above the disappointment of last week.

But they didn’t have Tim Tebow.

Follow Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.

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You could charitably call it a defensive struggle, but either way the Broncos beat the Jets, 17-13, last night.

The centerpiece coming into the game was Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow versus Rex Ryan’s defense. Ryan’s crew had the upperhand most of the game.

Not on the final drive.

Up 13-10, with the Broncos unable to muster any offense all night, Tebow took over on his own 5-yard line with 5:54 remaining.

The Jets came inches from a safety when Jim Leonhard missed tackling Eddie Royal in the end zone on a wide receiver screen. He broke free and got some breathing room. From there, Tebow rushed for 57 yards, including the 20-yard go-ahead touchdown on third and four from the 20.

The Jets’ only score of the night came when Bilal Powell fumbled trying to go into the end zone and guard Matt Slausson fell on it for a score.

Sanchez had a chance to drive the Jets down for the winning score, but with 58 seconds remaining he couldn’t play the hero.

Three good …

1 Limiting Tebow: It seemed like a harbinger of things to come when Denver pieced together two emphatic opening drives that looked likely to set the tone for the game. But after that, the Jets limited Denver to just 11 yards of total offense the rest of the half.

2 From the break: Sanchez orchestrated an eight-play drive that featured six throws and resulted in Matt Slauson recovering a Bilal Powell fumble for a one-yard touchdown and a 10-3 lead coming out of halftime. It was a rare moment where the Jets’ timing on offense and Sanchez’s protection all came together.

3 Better from Sanchez: A mere 96 hours removed from completing just 51 percent of his passes and throwing two touchdowns against the Pats, Mark Sanchez was effective against Denver, even with no ground game to supplement the passing attack. Although the final drive came up short, it was a positive night for Sanchez.

Three bad …

1 Locked in: As has been the theme for much of the season when the Jets’ offense has stumbled, it was Sanchez being his own worst enemy. Midway through the third quarter and up 10-3. Sanchez locked in on his first read and cornerback Andre Goodman stepped forward for the pick six to even the score.

2 Not a great Knight: Two weeks ago, Joe McKnight was named the October AFC Special Teams Player of the Month. Since then, he muffed a punt last week against New England and then fumbled a third quarter kickoff return against Denver last night. It killed a great scoring chance.

3 With all the cards down: When it mattered most, the Jets allowed Tebow to make plays. Marching down the field, Tebow pulled the strings on a 95 yard drive inside the games final six minutes, leaving the Jets just 58 seconds on the clock to try and orchestrate a comeback. It was a heaven sent moment for the Broncos.

Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer and get all your New York sports news from Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne @MetroNYSports.

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Love him or hate him, the Broncos quarterback is a challenge. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Tebow is built like few other quarterbacks — a mobile quarterback who can shrug off would-be tacklers and make plays with his feet.

Taking Tebow down is the top goal of the Jets defense.

“At the end of the day, you have to bring him down. A guy like him is so good at breaking tackles, it is hats to the football,” starting defensive end Aaron Maybin said. “You can’t bring him down with one tackler; you need to get on him. He’s that strong, he’s a big guy you have to wrap him up. You need to get hats to him.”

In the win over the Chiefs, Tebow threw the ball eight times, but had nine runs out of the Broncos’ read-option offense. The challenge of Tebow is unlike any quarterback in the league, however, in that while he can throw somewhat effectively, he’s almost impossible to bring down. Maybin likened him to a fullback in build.

But unlike a fullback, Tebow can run the ball and pull-up to make a pass, giving him the ability to hurt defenses who key-in on his running ability too much.

“You have to play assignment based football because you can’t get off your assignment. If you pull up as a linebacker thinking he’s going to do one thing, he can hurt you the other way,” linebacker Jamaal Westerman said. “It’s a challenge that way.”

The ability for him to improvise in the pocket means that game film get tossed out the window come the first whistle of Thursday night. What you see is maybe not what you get.

“I will say this, we don’t really know what they’re going to do because they’ve been really multiple. Sometimes they spread them out; they’ll go empty and then run the ball with the quarterback,” head coach Rex Ryan said. “So no matter what you see, you’ll probably start by saying it’s probably a run, and then we’ll defend the pass after it. But you’re looking at formations or personnel groupings that tell you it’s going to be a pass, it’s not with this group. So that’s a little different, but you better be sound and obviously assume he’s running with it.”

But it’s not as simple as just hitting Tebow and playing assignments. The most effective way in the past to surely bring down a quarterback like Tebow who is so big and strong was for a tackler to drive his helmet square into the player’s numbers.

Do that now, and it will be a costly penalty.

“You have to tackle with fundamentals and that’s with your shoulder, making sure you’re not leading with the crown of the helmet,” defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson said. “Then you make sure you wrap him up because a guy like a Tebow’s not going down easily.”

Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.

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Once the Broncos come out of their bye in Week 7, Tebow is going to be a poor real-life quarterback. He is wildly inaccurate, has awful mechanics and can barely even get the ball from center. He’ll also be a top-10 fantasy quarterback weekly. Here’s why:  

Goal-line back

If I told you a running back was going to get all his team’s carries inside the 5-yard line and average about 50 yards per game, would you be excited? Now add in about 25 pass attempts per game.

Much like Cam Newton in Carolina, Tebow is going to score rushing touchdowns weekly. Newton is currently fantasy’s No. 2 quarterback.            
          
History repeated

This isn’t Tebow’s first shot in the NFL. He started three games last season, averaging 217.0 yards passing, 66.3 yards rushing and he scored seven all-purpose touchdowns during that stint. That made Tebow fantasy’s No. 1 quarterback in that span. So, without further ado, it’s Tebow time. before his mere presence.

Top NFL pickups

Jackie Battle
RB, Chiefs
Battle is far from a special talent, but he’s a candidate for 10-15 carries behind an elite run-blocking line.    

Greg Little
WR,?Browns
Little is now the starting “X” receiver in Cleveland, meaning he’ll play every down. Explosive with the ball.

James Jones
WR,?Packers
Jones’s snap count is on the rise while Donald Driver’s is falling off. Jones has the raw ability to be No. 1 WR.

NFL stock watch

Need to turn your season around? Buy low on these guys:

1. Dez Bryant, WR, DAL — Bryant hasn’t been healthy in a game yet this season. Thanks to last week’s bye, that’s about to change. Megatron-like talent.   

2.   Chris Johnson, RB, TEN — The Titans’ say their No. 1 priority during their bye week is to fix the running game.

3. Vincent Jackson, WR, SD — Jackson     has only flashed his dominant potential so far. Philip Rivers is an annual slow starter.

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When looking for sleepers, we’re in search of explosive — yet unproven — talent. These three fit the bill:  

In?Tim we trust
Running quarterbacks may not win in the NFL, but they dominate in fantasy. With Tebow set to take over from Kyle Orton, he projects to at least match the 10.3 rushes per game he averaged as a starter last year. And without a true goal-line option on the roster right now, Tebow could reach 10 rushing touchdowns with ease.       
          
Cook on board
Jared Cook was a breakout candidate before the Titans agreed to terms with Matt Hasselbeck. Now he’s a legit TE1 option. With a tantalizing combination of size and speed, Cook will rack up targets.     

Handcuffs, please
Maurice Jones-Drew has endured a massive workload over the last two years and is dealing with troubling knee woes. Enter Rashad Jennings, his talented backup, that is worth a flier even if you don’t have MJD.

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