Brick unsure how things will shake out with Tebow

D'Brickashaw Ferguson was somewhat blindsided by the Jets' acquisition of Tim Tebow.

"It’s pretty crazy," the tackle said this morning. "Definitely, I didn’t expect it. I think a lot of people were taken aback just because they didn’t expect it, but I think it will be an interesting tandem." 

Ferguson, who was appearing at a pop up NFL Shop in Manhattan that officially opens Monday and will be at the corner of 41st and Sixth Ave. through April 30, said he briefly met Tebow on Monday. The two chatted for a few minutes when they came across each other in the weight room, mostly taking the time to introduce themselves to each other.

No longer will Tebowmania be viewed from afar. It's going to be right squarely in the Jets locker room.

"There's definitely going to be a little bit of a circus atmosphere," Ferguson said. "The Tebow situation, he brings a lot to the organization, even outside of on-the-field performance. I think that’s something we’ll have to deal with and contend with. I’m sure Jets training camp will be buzzing and there will be a lot of cameras around.

"It can be a distraction, but at the same rate it can be positive for us as well. We've just got to figure out how best to navigate all those things."

With Tebow on board as the backup, it could create an interesting dynamic between him and incumbent starter Mark Sanchez, particularly if the Jets give Tebow 15, 20 snaps in a game as Rex Ryan has already suggested. Darrelle Revis said yesterday that taking Sanchez out for that many plays could disrupt his rhythm.

Ferguson admitted there are a lot of unknowns.

"I think we are all same page here," he said. "We don’t know how it will affect Mark, what’s going to go on. At this point, all we can be is optimistic because it’s so new and we haven’t even started the coaching aspect of it.

"So until we really start putting our hands to the grind and start practicing and really start playing some games, we won’t know if it will work. But I think the hope and the intent is it will be a good compliment. That’s kind of all we can set our sights on at this point."

Asked if he envisioned a scenario where Tebow replaced Sanchez as the starter at some point during the 2012 campaign, Ferguson didn't bite.

"Really, it’s going to just be a compliment to whatever Mark does," he said. "Like I said, Tebow has talents and we hope to benefit from that in some form or fashion. Again, since he’s only been here a couple days and we haven’t really had any coaching, that’s all we can really say about that because it’s all so new."

As for the well-documented locker room issues, Ferguson thinks the Jets have already started moving past all that. 

"I think a lot of what happened last year had to due with the frustration of the poor season and I think we came off such a high – two AFC Championship games back to back – that having a .500 season, it’s like, ‘Man, what are we doing?' " he said. "'What’s going on? How could it change in a year?’ As much as it’s important to understand what happened last year, it’s also important not to dwell on the fact we had a poor season.

"I think what are we going to do about it this year. We’ve already made coaching changes, we’e already made changes with our players. We aren’t the team of last year. We are a new team now. It’s just about, with these changes made, what are we going to do to have success? What are we going to do that’s going to work for us? I think we’ve addressed the problem. We aren’t the team of last  year because we can do bigger and better things."

The Jets, for that matter, aren't the only team in the AFC East that's grabbed a few headlines thanks to offseason acquisitions. Ferguson flashed a toothy smile when talking about how he'll be going up against Mario Williams -- the Bills' big free agent pickup -- twice a year now. 

"I love it, man," he said. "I love the challenge. I love playing against guys who feel that they're the best or whatever and I love to go out there and show them otherwise. This is a great opportunity. I'm glad he's on that team, and it kind of just ratchets the knot a little bit.

Everybody has their individual battles and I'm sure that’s a battle that we’ll be having. In the past it was Jason Taylor, in the past it was Aaron Schobel, in the past it was Willie McGinest, it’s changed now. Now we have Von Miller and all these young guys that are coming out and doing well. Why not? Why not a fellow peer, a fellow draftee come in our division. I don’t mind playing them twice. Let’s do it."

Ferguson talked up the entire division. 

"This is a great place to play," he said. "I’m glad the Bills are making moves. I guess they’re tired of how it’s been, so they are trying to make some changes. That’s cool, man. I like that. The Patriots, they are always going to do what they do and make the crazy moves. You’re like, ‘I don’t understand that.’ And then during the season, you’re like, ‘Ohhh.’ I didn’t see that.. I didn’t see that. They have their own think tank over there.

"But like I said, look at us, we are making our own moves. We’re stirring the pot, so everybody recognizes that everyone wants to be top dog and we are no different."