Rex Ryan was speechless Thursday afternoon when asked what he took from a Sports Illustrated players poll that said Jets reserve Tim Tebow was the most overrated player in the league and starter Mark Sanchez was No. 2.
“Wow,” Ryan said. “What are you going to say? I don’t know how to comment on that… Seems like the Jets always get something.”
The poll reflected the votes of 180 players. Thirty-four percent nominated Tebow, who has seen minimal time on the field this season after being acquired by the Jets in a trade with the Denver Broncos.
Tebow has played his most significant role on special teams, executing three faked punts for first downs. Sanchez was tied with Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo at 8%.
“I just know I’m happy they’re on my football team – on our football team,” Ryan said.
Offensive coordinator Tony Sparano added that he could utilize Tebow more effectively.
“I think I have a pretty good feel on how to use him and how to use him best,” Sparano said. “I can do a better job of using him more.”
The timing of the poll comes at an odd point in the season. Sanchez completed 68% of his passes in last week’s overtime loss to the Patriots and has shown improved play in recent weeks as tight end Dustin Keller returned to the lineup.
Tebow, however, has been relegated to personal punt protector duty.
His total offense output for the season comes down to 32 passing yards and 76 rushing yards. In May, the NFL Network released a player poll of the league’s top 100, with Tebow in the No. 95 spot. He had rallied the Denver Broncos from a 1-4 start to a playoff win over the Steelers before falling to the Patriots.
ESPN.com, meanwhile, posted a list of what it considers to be the 10 worst contracts in the league. Sanchez’s three-year deal for $40.4 million came in third. Titans tailback Chris Jphnson (six years, $80.96 million) and Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (six years, $100 million) were the only deals rated worse than Sanchez’s.
Vick also finished fourth on the overrated list with 4% of the players’ votes, while Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (3 %) was fifth.
