Sparano: Jets have “outstanding parts”

With a plethora of offensive weapons (finally) at his disposal, Tony Sparano can’t wait to get to work.

Noting the Jets have “some outstanding parts,” their new offensive coordinator said in a Thursday conference call that he’s looking forward to developing the Jets’ slew young tight ends, as well as slot receiver Jeremy Kerley, second-round pick Stephen Hill and Patrick Turner, whom he drafted back in 2009 when he was with Miami.

He not only labeled third-string QB Greg McElroy “brilliant,” but also added that Santonio Holmes has “special” ability and that he's “really, really” impressed with Shonn Greene’s field vision.

“There’s an interesting take when you’ve been on the other sideline and in the other room preparing for players like the Jets have here right now,” Sparano said. “Having to figure out how you’re going to handle Dustin Keller, having to figure out how you’re going to handle Santonio Holmes, or the running game with Shonn Greene and that offensive line.”

In his brief time with the players (Monday was the first day coaches could be on the field with them), the coordinator already has seen “eye-opening” improvement in Tim Tebow’s passing ability.

“Fundamentally he has gotten much better,” said Sparano, who coached Tebow in the 2010 Senior Bowl. “You can see the amount of time he’s spent at it. ....He’s completely different now than he was when he came out of college.”

Though he had little input in the decision to trade for Tebow (Sparano said coach Rex Ryan and general Mike Tannenbaum had the final say), the coordinator is on board with the move and thinks Tebow can been an asset in many areas.

“He has the ability to do a lot of different jobs,” he said. “And in the game, that’s what you really want.”

To familiarize himself with his new team, Sparano went back and watched film of the 2010 and 2011 seasons. “All of it, every single snap,” he added. 

Those film study sessions not only gave him a sense of what the Jets' strengths and weaknesses are, but it also gave Sparano a clearer picture of Mark Sanchez’s game.

Despite the quarterback's 18 interceptions last season, the coordinator said Sanchez played better in 2011 (56.7 completion percentage, 3,474 passing yards and 26 touchdowns) than he did in his previous two seasons. 

“We forget, I think, that this guy is a young player and that has won a lot of football players here,” Sparano said in his starting QB’s defense. “I’m excited about where he is. The only thing I can tell you right now is that he has had a tremendous offseason and has really gotten himself in great shape and has come in here and really worked hard -- physically and mentally here, as well, as of late. So I‘ve been really impressed.”

However, Sparano’s praise was not as effusive for Wayne Hunter. Though he said the Dolphins liked the right tackle when he was a free agent last season, Sparano wouldn’t go on record as saying Hunter will be the Jets starting right tackle.

Instead, Sparano pointed out that we’re a long way from opening day.