Joe Namath doesn't like Jets trading for Tim Tebow
Former Jets quarterback Joe Namath doesn't like the trade that brought Tim Tebow to New York. Credit: AP
The trade is official.
Now all Jets management has to do is convince their players that Tim Tebow is worth it.
Antonio Cromartie had been the most outspoken critic of the trade in recent days and then Wednesday, Hall of Famer and former Jets quarterback Joe Namath said he was "absolutely" rooting for the trade for Tebow to fall through.
"It's a different kind of stunned than when Tony Sparano signed on as the offensive coordinator. I'm closer to shock," Namath said on ESPN 1050's Michael Kay show. "I'm sorry. I do not agree with this situation. I can't agree with it. I just think it's a publicity stunt. I really think it's wrong. I can't go for it."
It seemed Namath had gotten his wish when the deal reportedly hit a snag late yesterday afternoon after the Jets and Broncos reached an impasse regarding repayment of Tebow's salary advances for the 2012-14 seasons. But both sides compromised and finalized the deal Wednesday night.
Cromartie took to Twitter on Tuesday to voice his displeasure when news of the Jets' "real" interest in Tebow surfaced. "Y bring Tebow in when we need to bring in more Weapons for @Mark_Sanchez," the defensive back wrote. "let's build the team around him."
"We don't need Tebow," he later tweeted. "We sell out every home game let him go to Jacksonville Tampa or Miami. Our wildcat offense can b ran by [Jeremy] Kerley or Joe McKnight we straight."
But there were several tweets in favor of the Tebow trade to New York. Former Broncos safety Brian Dawkins tweeted: "@TimTebow, I wanna thank u, 4 wht u helped us do last year. On the field & off! I have NO doubt that u will B a blessing 4 the Jets!"
Broncos linebacker Von Miller tweeted: "Tim Tebow is the man! I love Tim on and off the field! True role model, he was and still will be mine. I wish him the very best! TEEEBOOOW!"
Namath said he was "baffled" by the trade, given that the Jets gave quarterback Mark Sanchez a three-year extension 13 days ago and also signed free-agent backup Drew Stanton.
"I don't think they know what they're doing over there right now," Namath said of the Jets. " . . . I just think they're kind of mixed up over there."
Former Jets nose tackle and current TV analyst Kris Jenkins agreed.
"Tebow to Jets is absolutely disgusting," he tweeted. "I hope he goes to Jacksonville. It would be an upgrade for them."
