"I think you can never have enough Tim Tebow."
That was Jets owner Woody Johnson back in August, when the Jets still had a glimmer of hope for the year to come. Johnson said that at the height of the Jets' shadow quarterback competition, one that existed only through their words and attempts to stoke the fires of what Tebow would mean to the offense.
It was a centerpiece of the belief that Tebow was only on the team because Johnson desired his name and celebrity over players that might actually help the Jets win a few games, a belief that was never shaken as it became clear that Rex Ryan and his coaching staff had no faith that Tebow could play quarterback. Now Johnson is apparently backtracking on his former love for Tebow.
Former Broncos G.M. Ted Sundquist interviewed for the Jets G.M. job that wound up going to John Idzik, and told ESPNNewYork.com that Johnson said during the interview that Tebow was "forced" upon him. Sundquist also said that the team indicated they were looking for an "exit strategy" for Tebow after realizing the level of divisiveness he brought to the team.
Frankly, there have been more believable assertions made throughout the history of the world. Those that believed the Earth was flat might even have an easier time selling their line of thinking than Johnson.
Owners of businesses don't have things forced upon them. They might follow bad advice or hire the wrong people to fill key roles, but things don't happen without at least their implicit approval or reminder that the football decision makers have free rein to make their own calls.
Johnson has already fired Mike Tannenbaum, which is a pretty good indication that the owner feels he received bad advice from someone who wasn't a good fit for the job. Trying to take it even further doesn't come off as a stronger statement of Tannenbaum's failings, it comes off as an organization that operates without the proper attention to detail and collaborative spirit that winning teams feature just about everywhere you look.
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It also further erodes confidence that hires like Idzik and new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg are being made by a group that really understands what it takes to be successful. One of those things is leadership willing to own up to their mistakes, something Johnson punts when he absolves himself of any role in a move that went spectacularly wrong.
Josh Alper is also a writer for Pro Football Talk. You can follow him on Twitter.
